Kenneth Bailes Piano Tuning and Repair

This depends on many factors, including the stability of environment the piano is in, how much it is played, its age, and the personal preferences of its owner.  Pianos used in concert are tuned before every performance -- sometimes even in between pieces.

Most piano manufacturers recommend at least 2 tunings per year (4 for a new piano).  A piano that is played frequently may need to be tuned more often.  Changes in temperature and humidity in particular can affect the tension on the strings -- and thus the tuning -- as the piano absorbs or releases moisture from or into its surroundings.  A piano played less often and kept in a stable enviroment may need to be tuned less often, at least once a year.

A control system can be installed in a piano to provide the steady humidity of 42 percent recommended by piano manufacturers, regardless of changes in the room environment, and this will help both to maintain the stability of a tuning and the life of the piano. 

I charge a flat rate of $120 to tune any piano, regardless of how near or far it may be from standard pitch (A=440).  Charges for repairs are based on a $60 per hour labor fee (pro-rated for portions of an hour, e.g. a 1/2 hour labor charge would be $30) plus cost of any parts that might need to be replaced. 

Because dust is abrasive and can cause scratches, always remove dust first with a feather duster or slightly damp soft cloth before wiping with a dry cloth.  A small amount of mild soap can be used on a slightly damp cloth to remove fingerprints or smudges.  Avoid using conventional furniture polishes, especially those using silicones.  Special cleaning products and cloths designed for lacquer or polyester/polyurethane piano finishes can be purchased from your piano technician (hopefully, me).

To avoid damage to fragile parts inside your piano, it's best to ask your technician to clean those areas.

To help keep ivory keys from yellowing, leave them exposed to light.  The opposite is true with plastic keys.  Keep the fallboard closed when the piano is not in use.  To clean the keys, you can use a cloth only slightly dampened with water and a mild soap, wiping from back to front rather than from side to side.  Clean and dry a few keys at a time.  It is very important that there not be any excessive moisture that might seep between the keys or warp ivories.