How to tune a piano by ear, by Steve Droy

[@raymondfosters-sargent7470]

Here's a man who definitely knows his stuff and gives a comprehensive explanation without coming across as a snob. Worth watching a few times to bring it all together.

[@algorithmical]

This is by far the best explanation of equal temperment and overall piano tuning i've seen here on youtube. Its easy to tell when someone knows their stuff.

[@eschelar]

What an extremely informative video! I'm not a piano tuner, but I was researching it a bit because some friends are having trouble with a piano of theirs. It's a lot more complicated than I imagined.

[@chriswalden6519]

Great video Steve, I’m currently a first year student at Newark college, having not had anything to do with tuning in the past I was astonished at just how difficult it is! 7 months in and I seem to have grasped the tempered scale and tuning octaves beatless, how anyone can tune a piano without this professional training is beyond me! I tuned the whole of the piano today for the first it was very rewarding to say the least!

[@stevedroy]

Thanks Chris.I have many happy memories of Newark College. Yes its mind boggling to read some of the posts of people who want to do DIY piano tuning. Its not only the listening skills but the fine motor skills in the hand which have to be learned. Keep up the good work and congratulations on your first complete tuning, thats pretty good for 7 months. Give my regards to Vick and John and Gavin.All the best. Maybe see you at the convention.

[@vitajazz]

Fascinating lesson! I'm sorry to see the unnecessary negative comments. I did not know about octave tuning being different with different sized pianos, for instance. Somewhere in there is the reason why the piano tuner who did my 19th Century Newcombe asked if I wanted a "Classical": tune/sound or a "popular" tune...

[@wavetuning]

thank you! I've just bought a piano tuning set and will make use of your tips.

[@hollysmusicandmore2243]

Excellent! Best Video I have seen on piano timing so far. I am a piano tuner in training - not a DIY piano tuner. Your videos have been helpful as a supplement to my training.

[@cynic150]

Dear Steve, Thanks very much for that introduction. I have heard of harmonicity before but you explained it a little better. I am always amazed at how a full concert grand can sound so well in tune compared to a small one. Now I know why. I have been tuning my own pianos since i was a piano student because I just could not afford to have a professional do it often enough for me. I am also one of those people who just like doing things themselves. I have learned a tremendous amount since then about piano tuning and repairs, I have made many mistakes but I did not ruin any pianos, luckily. However, I would agree that it is not a good idea for most people to think that they can tune their own pianos without professional training as so many things can go wrong, which may be very expensive to correct. I always use a tuning machine like the one in your video to set the scale and I find it works fairly well.

[@SnarleyOtis]

The word is inharmonicity or enharmonicity. I don't think they have decided which word is better. What is has to do with is that the over tones of a piano string are actually sharp to the fundamental . When you are tuning octaves you are actually making the first harmonic of the lower note in tune with the fundamental of upper note.

[@Jack-hy1zq]

at last!!! a guy who can actually tune a piano. I was losing the will to live😂

[@giacomograssi8710]

Thank you for the video. Very elucidating your explanation of the octave stretching, on which I was just questioning myself, starting to experiment tuning on my piano. By intuition in fact I was finding that the higher octaves require to be at a higher pitch to sound well to the 'human' ear, as you specify. Many thanks

[@suespony]

I have been tuning pianos for 20 years, i average about 450 tunings a year. Even after doing so many for so long, I still feel I am learning. I still go into it feeling I can do a better job then the last one. I have tuned for many professonal pianist, and tune for three differant colleges.One thing that i just love is getting a call to go retune a piano that another tuner has botched. happens often, being a good tuner takes a long time.

[@robcassels5215]

full time tuner here,40 years,,good job expaining dude!

[@Jack-hy1zq]

Robert Cassels ditto - 25year piano tuner.

[@ericscheermusic]

This video is incredibly helpful and very much appreciated. The one question I do have is, when you are tuning the octaves what muting technique do you use?Thank you

[@stevedroy]

Thanks for the interest, funny how it seems to spark such strong interest. I have been tuning pianos for 25 years, so I do know what I talking about. Many thanks Steve

[@drunkass77]

Nice video. I have always wondered what it takes to tune a piano. You did a good job explaining some of the more confusing aspects of it.

[@stevedroy]

Thanks for the interest. Having worked in the trade for 35 years I have tried every type of tuning lever on the market. I also have a Steinway lever with a selection of heads in my toolbox. It is possible to acheive first class results with the tools I use and I think it is unwise to get hooked on a particular method or system. I have seen many variations on the basic techniques over the years and at the end of the day if the job is done correctly that is all that matters. Many thanks Steve

[@vib_di]

What is the symptom of a loose tuning pin? Can a new piano have loose tuning pins? Are there certain things to avoid during tuning?

[@thepianotechnologyschool1943]

@@vib_di it's unusual for new pianos to have loose pins. Don't try tuning without proper training

[@vib_di]

@@thepianotechnologyschool1943 Actually I tried to tune yesterday, But, after going through youtube videos I decided to go for professional tuning services. I can only hope that I didnt make any harm to the pinblock or other things(although I was harsh on some pins). Although piano is in tune now. But now I'll call professional technician for tuning and maintinance when I'll have money for that.

[@thepianotechnologyschool1943]

@@vib_di Good choice !

[@kwixotic]

The Knight is one of the best made uprights ever made. Was glad to have visited the factory back in '79 when Alfie Knight might have still been around.

[@JohnMR126]

You're absolutely right Steve. Two years training and 6-10 years experience-and that is if you commit fully to learn and perfect a very difficult profession. In my 35+ years tuning full time I have encountered many tuners who just completed training. They have not even begun to learn the profession.

[@stevedroy]

courses last 3 years, there is 1 in the uk at Newark College or you can come to India for 2 years and train with me. there is a shortage of trained tuners so it is a good thing to learn but you will not do it without a lot of hard work and time Thanks Steve

[@peterhuismusic]

Nice instructions! Gonna try myself with an old piano which I bought at a sale. I'm used to tuning guitars by ear (which I do a lot as a music teacher) so I hope this helps to. Thanks for this video!

[@catkeys6911]

Very good demo and explanation (fellow tuner/tech).

[@BaltiSean]

Thanks for the wonderful explanation. I am going to attempt touching up the tuning on a friends neglected piano. Any recommendation as to the type/quality of tuning hammer? I figure I'll probably only ever use it to tune neglected pianos whose owners can't afford or don't care to have them properly tuned. Thanks!

[@IsaacOLEG]

Nice video, you also can feel the pin acting thru the tuning hammer, in the end it can provide a longer lasting setting but it oblige to lean on the piano, tune standing or frankly on the right, and it takes about twice the time... Best regards. Isaac

[@PartScavenger]

Great info! I tuned my first piano with a frequency meter and oscilloscope, and though tuned "perfectly" it sounded terrible. Thank you for explaining why, I've always wondered.

[@teresaolmsted8564]

Mark goldstein

[@teresaolmsted8564]

Mark Goldstein

[@stephensegarrapianoimprovs9606]

I've been tuning pianos at Lincoln Center in Manhattan for 2 years now. Some pianos here absolutely must be tuned every single week, sometimes multiple times a week depending on scheduled performances. So to anyone out there listening, if you tune a piano once it's good, if you tune it twice it's even better. And remember, just because you can't tell that the piano is out of tune , this doesn't mean that it's not LOL. A piano should be inspected by a professional as often as budget allows. -Stephen Segarra

[@tonybowers123]

After watching your video again I got some ideas and look forward to experimenting with them. Again, I have successfully made a "free" piano playable. Calling me a philistine is hurtful and saying my standards are low implies that you are a stuffy little fart. We could insult each other all day but the truth is that you did help me. I appreciate it and hope that neither one of us needs a dentist anytime soon.

[@monsterjazzlicks]

Great video Steve. i wish i had learned Piano Tuning but i failed my interview at Newark College 25 x years ago !! i thought i had pretty good 'ears' until i started watching these videos on the subject !!

[@hussamasmar]

great video. I have been tunning my piano for the last few years using a chromatic simple tuner for the first octave then I do octaves for the rest. However, I am usually happy with the upper notes. Do you have any hints?

[@liteofmylife]

Steve, thanks much for posting this informative video. I recently retired from the Marine Corps, and I'm off and running to begin my new career in piano tuning. I look forward to seeing your future postings on tuning! -Mark

[@chrisj.7530]

Hopefully it's worked out for you!

[@jackgreen5722]

Hows it hangin @liteofmylife?

[@beakf1]

Thank you for your fast answer,im not sure why but i must have misheard or read somewhere that each note has 3 strings and lets say if the piano note was C the strings were tunes C and the other 2 to harmonics E and G,but they are all unison's you say.You must have a set of ears to do what you do.Im learning relative and perfect pitch.Its a very illusive thing and the ears get tired fast and concentration breaks.You must be very skilled.Thanks again.

[@stephensegarrapianoimprovs9606]

Good job , well done, well put😁✨🎹✨🎹😁 -Stephen Segarra

[@Shmalentine]

Could you please go over setting the tuning peg again? Do you play the key you're tuning hard? Is that it? In case of the 3-string keys do you set each peg individually while muting the other two strings or all together once you're done tuning all three? Thanks much.

[@evenshteven]

Hello Steve, wonderful video. I am learning how to tune pianos and this is a very helpful introduction, thank you. Although, I really wish to learn more about the art. I want to learn the actual process of knowing how to pick out the right beats and waves between pitches and knowing what key to tune next - all the logistics of it pretty much. Is there any material or text you recommend? Or any other recommendations for learning?

[@MrLazarovega]

Steve . I have found your video very interesting and useful. thank you for sharing. I have a question. When stretching the octaves (up) does the piano tuner set the upper note of the octave to sound of beat about 0 .7 beat per second sharp? or the piano tuner should tuned the octaves beat-less and that by it self end up stretching the octaves. Please correct me in this topic. thank you very much .

[@dstarj1]

Thanks for that. Since my first upright, tuning has intrigued me. I think one must have a mentor to learn about the "tempered scale." I would love to tune pianos. On the questionaire from the Actors Studio... My favorate sound is a tuned piano and least fav is ...well you know. My first tuner seen my intrest and gave me an old tunning hammer and " he called," felts. My love for the instrument grew even more.

[@TheBlueArcher]

You said to keep the piano away from damp places? Is it possible for a place to be too dry? How exactly does the humidity affect the workings of a piano? I live in Canada, and apparently have a chinese piano, and have been instructed to keep a small bucket of water INSIDE the piano beside the pedals. Anyway, I love this video. I'm very interested in instrument tuning and microtones, so I appreciated your short history lesson =) as well.

[@greywolf271]

Great explanation on the acoustic problems.

[@DoctorHutch]

Hi Steve, I usually call up a pro tuner to tune for me, but in my case, only about 8 strings are out of tune and dont match up with intervals. I am hesitant to touch my pins. I've read many articles and watched a lot of videos about "bending pins" but I dont know how much force or what to avoid doing to prevent the pins from bending. In articles, they say to avoid rough technique. I do trust your experience, but what you're doing looks rough. My piano is dear to me, I just dont want to hurt it.

[@gtrfrkkkkk]

Does the top string set the sound it should be? And the other two strings harmonize to it?I am trying to tune a piano right now,and I may get some notes tuned pretty good,then few are out of tune somewhere else.When tuning,it it a must to tune all the strings at that point?

[@caladbolge]

hey steve i have an upright piano and i was wondering if u need muters to tune it

[@GeneralLuken]

@stevedroy I know it may sound weird, but we are living in the era of electronics. So theoretically even a deaf person that knows theory of music equipped with appropriate electronic tuner should be able to tune a piano based on its measurements after few days course so why is there a shortage of tuners?

[@altSt0rm]

Thanks for the insight. I am quite mathematically inclined so I thought tuning a piano would be quite straight forward seeing as I understand the Physics behind the harmonics. Never knew that it wasn't really like that in practice.

[@doctorknockers24]

OMG The only positive comment that gives me a little ray of hope I could ever tune our piano myself, without having to shell out $100 each tune.

[@TheMaximillyan]

Thanks Steve for your video. It's RIGHT technique handle of a hammer (9-12)UP regards, Max

[@fast328]

The tuning pins do not go into "a plank of wood behind the frame with holes in it." The metal part is called the plate and the holes in it hold wooden bushings that the pins are hammered into. Bushings wear over time causing the pins to come loose, but sometimes the pins can be replaced with slightly thicker ones. Sometimes the bushings have to be replaced. Replacing the bushings and/or pins requires replacing the strings also, which is not a cheap procedure.

[@johnstaf]

This is wrong. BTW, many pianos such as old Bechsteins with an exposed pinblock/wrest plank don't even have bushings.

[@jeffcouture6048]

Pretty nicely explained I think, Steve, thanks. Must admit I struggled with the audio quality of this vid, and anyone with a good enough ear to tune a piano may be cringing at the reverb in that room! Lapel mic maybe?

[@sw4bben]

Quite a while I am studying piano tuning and Mr. Droy is explaining everything in a simple and perfectly correct way... so do not compare your piano at home with the Steinway of a concert hall... where there is patience there will be mastery... if you choose the simple and fast way THEN this video is not for you!

[@soilmanted]

Correct explanation of what's needed to tune a piano. The first youtube video I've seen, out of about 10 of them, that was correct. Of course SteveDroy didn't go into the details of how to tune the temperament octave. I think it should also be pointed out that after turning the temperament octave, that most skilled tuners don't merely tune the next octaves to the notes that are in that first octave. The fact that you are tuning second harmonic of low not toe fundamental of high note, it indeed does theoretically cause the new note you are tuning, the octave you are tuning, to have the correct amount of stretch - if you tune it precisely (although some tuners add just a hair MORE stretch). If they want to be very precise, skilled tuners also check various Other intervals, other than octaves, as they tune octaves up from the pitches in the temperament octave and down from the pitches in the temperament octave. It's kind of, sort of (but not exactly), like what you do when you subtract number B from number A, to get number C - and then you check your work by adding B to C and checking that you get A. It should also be pointed out that it takes more than a little bit of finesse to get any string to reach the pitch that you want it to reach, and also get it to stay there. To me that is the hardest part of tuning a piano. With your permission, here is a page with a link to spreadsheet which calculates beat rates of various intervals, across the keyboard, from pitch 1 to pitch 88: shakahara.com/pianopitch2.php

[@gram440a]

Great video! I just want to recommend a 2009 documentary called "Pianomania" to anyone who might read this. It documents the careful work of a high profile piano tuner, most enjoyably. It's available on Netflix, and a good view for any musician, I'd say. I'm a guitarist, I never imagined piano tuning could be so interesting!

[@wotsitalabowt]

You are clearly an expert and I would love to know what you know.

[@stevedroy]

Hi, the problem is that unless you set the pin by going past and then back, the pin will slip very quickly after a few good hits. This pin setting is harder to learn that the listening part. No other instrument has anything like the 25 tonns of tension in a piano so comparisons are a bit pointless. Thanks for your interest. Steve

[@mharbaugh]

@stevedroy I think you're right. The ear (ideally) will make musical considerations. There's been times were the best sounding interval wasn't necessarily the most mathematically precise one (although usually on a small piano). Inharmonicity and false beats are a huge pain...

[@TJHassis]

Excellent. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, and presenting it in a way easily understandable. Great information on techniques on using the piano tunning hammer. Much appreicated. The temperament piano, and the math will take some time. For now I would like to just be able to set the individual keys, and use your techniques to setting the pressing the note "hard" once at pitch. Thanks!

[@kwixotic]

The first eleven years in my career I was strictly by ear or aural. I then supplemented it with the SAT and later the Verituner. IMHO, the combination yields the most optimal results because the ear can only hope to get as accurate as the machines do.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

@SonofBrunhilde The first note, set to the meter or pitch fork, is the starting point for adjusting all the others and so is not altered again. The other 11 notes in the octave are effectively set to it. (In organ tuning, because the pipes go up and down in pitch, with temperature, we have one pipe - a 'pitch pipe' which is never altered, so it's easier to sing hymns in a cold church (lower pitch) than a warm one (higher pitch) though the organ should be in tune within itself.

[@stevedroy]

35 to 55 % humidity is normal. make sure you change the water regularly

[@nowayjose20]

I find that taking the pin lower in pitch and then bringing it up to tune is more effective. I also find this more effective for all of the other stringed instruments I play.

[@alexandragalfeviolin]

Hi Steve, Can you recommend a specific quality tuning lever under 100 pounds? What type of tip (star/square) would be most suitable to tune a yamaha su7 upright. Many thanks.

[@stevedroy3239]

There is no such thing as DIY piano tuning. Tuners study for many years.

[@Magnus--Johansson]

Sasha Galkina Hello, Sasha! I recommend the following: www.thomann.de/gb/jahn_klavierstimmset_pro.htm

[@alexandragalfeviolin]

Magnus Johansson many thanks Magnus for your recommendation.

[@kratanuva725]

@SweetSoundOfGrace I thought that the "natural" pitch was 432. Besides, it dosen't matter unless you are only playing in the key of A. Or unless this naturality is passed onto the other notes by just intonation ratios, which only would matter if your piano was tuned in just intonation. And even if your piano was tuned to just intonation, you could only play in one key and have it be perfectley in tune.

[@stevedroy]

I am not sure what point you are trying to make. I am currently a trainer with 10 students, they study for 2 years full time and then practice on the job. Piano tuning is a highly skilled profession, with very few qualified technicians worldwide. It is not a hobbyist endevour. Thanks Steve

[@gtay80]

how did u toke off the cover?

[@stevedroy]

Hi, yes I agree that a machine can be a great help to a tuner who can already tune by ear, at the end of the day it has got to be right whatever method you use. I do worry about tuners who only use the machine though. I have tuned whilst looking at a machine and still favour my ear especially for unisons and false strings in particular. I also think my ear is slightly more accurate, perhaps I am deluding myself. Thanks for the comments. Steve

[@stevedroy]

turn the pin past where it is in tune and push it back to the right spot, this is called setting the pin.

[@Mrphilharmonic]

@TheBlueArcher The best way to keep the humidity constant inside your piano is to use a thing called a "Dampp-chaser" ®. It stops notes sticking or getting loose, soundboards cracking and helps tuning stability considerably. The only drawback is it's expensive price, but if you are protecting an investment of several thousands, it's well worth it. I would NOT put any water INSIDE the piano. Keep a bowl right alongside or hang a humidifier on a radiator to stop it drying the air out.

[@stevedroy]

I use a Korg OT orchestral tuner, but just to check the pitch. You cant tune a piano with a tuning machine, it takes 5 years of training to tune by ear many thanks Steve

[@scotteburns]

Nice overview, thanks for posting!

[@randallbehan2839]

Awesome, thanks for taking the time.

[@scootsquad2642]

Maybe I'm not paying my tuner enough!

[@beakf1]

Hello please could you help.I think i misheard something back when learning theory that the piano has 3 strings per note,but they are all tune differently.Like first sting fundamental C and the other 2 to its overtones.Is this wrong,is it just a case of 3 string are hit say when pressing C and they are all tuned to C.Just more stings produce volume.

[@salesedlar]

Thank you for a great video.

[@aihsatsana]

That was actually pretty helpful info

[@Dominicwylai]

Wow, this video was very informative!

[@josephn3496]

This is awesome

[@carmenpepper1]

Excellent video mate, very well explained! I have just tuned up my grandfathers old brinsmead and I'm tempted to put a touch of crc on the tuning pins as the only want to move in huge increments. Is this a bad idea?

[@greywolf271]

Don't you deaden the other strings in some way to stop harmonic resonance from destroying the sound the tuner picks up ? I do this when I tune guitars.

[@h879xx]

Agreed. I will also take the punk rock piano approach.

[@henrique1944]

I would like to know the following: two Keys 5th is to be tuned not just! The interval is minus or bigger ? And the 4th is the same way? Please, give me the information!

[@Jack-hy1zq]

José Henrique Vargas the fifth narrow. the fourth wide.

[@stevedroy]

Correct, It usually takes 5 years of training to become a professional tuner and I would suggest getting a trusted local expert to look at the piano, thanks for your interest. Steve

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Thanks for this interesting posting.

[@stevedroy]

The octaves are tuned beatless. Thanks for your interest. Steve

[@crabbit87]

@GeneralLuken I think its the authenticity of being able to do it without electronics.

[@fredrik.larsen]

Superb video. Thanks alot for explaining :)

[@stevedroy]

A number of reasons, the main one being that the setting of the tuning pin so that it stays put, is the hardest skill to learn. There is 25 tons of strain accross the frame and the pin jerks around, it is very stiff and springy. Also the exact pitch of each string moves around throughout the duration of each note, so the needle of the machine flickers around as the note decays. there is also something called octave stretching, which is too complicated to explain. Sorry, it takes 3-5 yrs to learn

[@thepianotechnologyschool1943]

Hi Susie, yes very much still alive, but nowhere near you, Kansas right ? I am in England !

[@BBgunmaster67]

im glad our piano sounds good even after not being tuned in 15yrs.

[@tomlloyd9400]

I was shocked he didn't remove the front rail.The capstans must align exactly with the keys and the hammers must be about 1.75"from the strings. The keys may be sticky, the keys bushings need to be eased most likely, and when a note is struck the hammer should come back from the strings as much as 3/8". If this is not the case you need to add more punchings under the keys. Tuning is important but the piano must work properly together.

[@thepianotechnologyschool1943]

You are confusing regulation with tuning, 2 completely different procedures

[@PianoShapedObject]

As he says, inharmonicity doesn't follow the math so you need to be able to tell when you need to tune it slightly above or below the mathematical frequency assigned to that note in order for it to sound in tune. It takes time to learn how to do that.

[@mathieuemi666]

Yep. Most important thing. Have a break after doing that. Listen to some music. Then get back. The problem is your brain seem to gently "accept" wrong tuning and at the end it could seem good. That's like when you play a not tempered piano / organ. It's like an habit.

[@thepianotechnologyschool1943]

As I have said before, piano tuning is not a DIY job. This video explains the basics, but the skills required to actually do the job take years to master. The tuning pins do not play ball and move easily or smoothly, they jerk around, spring, twist etc. There is a very good chance that you could break your own piano or at least snap strings. I have heard of people trying to do it themselves and 100% of the time they make it worse.

[@mrytb240]

Well done.

[@DEZYCOM]

Thankyou ,,,,,nice simple explanation.

[@susiearviso3032]

Are you still alive, Steve? How far are you from Topeka?

[@stevedroy]

you keep it at the same pitch, it is very important. Thanks for the interest.

[@judojustim]

I have a piano that is like a halfstep out of tune. the guy that has tuned it the past two times has kept it a almost a halstep out of tune even after i told him. he said it would take several tunings to gradually get it back to where it should be. Is that bullshit?

[@ChrisTheLastOfUs]

No, it's not. A half step is quite a bit less tension on the strings. To go from a half step up to standard would be significantly tighter. Strings would most likely break tuning them that tight that quickly. It needs to be a gradual change.

[@judojustim]

how long/ many tunings would it take?

[@SnarleyOtis]

I am sure you figured out by now that it is bull shit. Put it this way. When I restring a piano, on the very first tuning I try to make it sharp because I know it will go flat as the strings stretch. If I am at a customers house who has a piano that is a half tone flat I will inform him that I am going to aim 10 cents sharp in hopes to leave the piano at pitch or higher when I leave. I add to that that if a string breaks we can reevaluate our strategy. Other than that if the piano is healthy it should go to A440. Also any emerging problems that it is going to have at A440 are not going to be resolved by getting there slowly. You might as well get to the truth of the matter immediately. Tune it to A440 and see what happens.

[@2t22tornadosiren]

Specifically, you can't tune a piano in EQUAL TEMPERAMENT by ear, because equal temperament isn't real, but pythagorean tuning is easy in comparison

[@firehandszarb]

very good explanation.

[@Rheostatik]

People who tune their own piano don't tune it well. As Steve said, getting a string in tune is only half the battle. Getting it to HOLD is arguably an even greater challenge. So you can either tune your piano yourself, see it go out of tune in a week, tune it again, and again, and again, and again, or you can pay $100 a year to have it tuned by a professional who has dedicated his life to the craft, and who relies on the trade to feed himself and his family.

[@TenthDimensionString]

Thanks, very helpful video.

[@halmain7406]

Good video

[@stevedroy]

As I said, it's not a DIY job

[@roddyg3692]

Hence the boring dissertation.

[@heavenlysheephugshuggingfo1505]

hole shit that a lot to learn

[@heavenlysheephugshuggingfo1505]

nice

[@billwilson5341]

www.pianotechnologyschool.com Page not found :-(