Symptoms
- The piano sounds lower than recordings or other instruments
- Chords sound sour and octaves wobble
- Some notes sound worse than others, especially in the treble
- It's been more than two or three years since the last tuning
Likely causes
Strings drift flat over time
String tension slowly relaxes and the soundboard moves with the seasons. After years, most pianos sit well below standard pitch.
Uneven drift
Different sections drift by different amounts, so the piano is not only flat but also out of tune with itself.
Seasonal cycles
Each humid and dry season pushes the pitch up and down; years of this without correction leave the piano unstable.
What you can safely check yourself
- 1Play each key and note any that stick, stay silent, buzz or have a broken string.
- 2Open the lid and look for signs of mice or moths, like droppings or chewed felt.
- 3Check room humidity with a hygrometer and keep it near 40–50% before the visit.
- 4If you know the piano's brand and serial number, look up its age — it helps the technician plan.
What not to do
- Never try to raise the pitch yourself or turn pins with pliers or a wrench.
- Don't expect one quick visit to make a long-neglected piano perfectly stable.
- Don't assume it's worthless — most pianos are worth at least an inspection.
Quick fixes vs. call a pro
You can usually handle it
- Listing sticky, silent or buzzing keys
- Checking for pests inside
- Stabilizing room humidity
- Looking up the piano's age by serial number
Call a technician
- Pitch raise to bring strings near A440
- Fine tuning, often in a second visit
- Replacing strings that break during the raise
- Assessing pins, hammers and action condition
What a technician will do
The technician measures how far below pitch the piano is and does a pitch raise — a fast pass that pulls every string close to pitch — followed by a fine tuning. This visit takes longer than a normal tuning, and a second fine tuning a few weeks later is often recommended because the frame settles under the new tension. Old strings occasionally break during a raise and are replaced.
A piano holds about 18–20 tonnes of string tension. If a fix means opening the action, turning tuning pins or working near the strings, leave it to a technician.
In Israel
Pianos inherited or bought second-hand in Israel have often sat for years near a window or AC unit. Expect the technician to check for humidity-related problems like sticky keys and rusty strings along with the tuning.