FAQs
How often should I get my piano tuned?
Generally a piano needs tuning once a year. If you are playing the piano daily then perhaps each 6 months and in April and October. If your child has left home and the piano is not being played then we recommend that the tuning be left no longer than 2 years. The reason for this is that moths can infest the piano without you knowing and eat the 'felts'. Repair costs range from $1650 to $3500. Also the pitch may drop with the only remedy being a pitch raise at the time of the next tuning, this will add extra cost to the tune. Once it drops a lot in pitch it is more difficult to put the piano back in tune. There is also a further risk that the piano will not hold it's tune once it gets past this point. (This problem can be fixed though, please contact us if you have further queries. 08 9477 5866
How much does it cost to get my piano tuned?
How much to tune a piano in Perth WA? Answer $220.00
This is a very good question however the answer depends on how you want to play the piano once it is tuned. Also the piano might need work to hold a tune for a period of time.
It is a general misconception that the tune or piano only needs to be "good enough" for a child or starter to practice.
The better the piano sounds the more reward for effort the player gets and then instead of playing the piano piece once they might want to play it 2 or 3 times. Consequently the player improves at a greater rate and has a higher self esteem because they are doing well.
If you have read this far you are genuinely interested to have your piano sounding as good as possible so my recommendation is the piano need to be on standard pitch. (Possible pitch raise if it hasn't been tuned for some time $110)
It needs to be comfortable to play. There might be some play in the keys and sticking notes, (might need some regulating $55 to $550). Is it an old piano and hasn't held tune very well in the past, (then it might need the tuning pins tightened $770 to $2500)
Read more about out Tuner Gary Bailey under Services Tuning
Can you recommend a good Piano Teacher?
Yep, we sure can. Check out our piano teacher directory in the directory under FAQ's or on the home page.
I want to ask my piano teacher to recomend a piano for me. Is this a good idea?
I understand that the music teacher is generally the only person that you may know and you feel you can trust when it comes to piano. I too need to build that same relationship with my clients as I am the one that comes and tunes your piano on a regular basis.
I find the statement "I need to ask my piano teacher what piano to buy" interesting and a concern to our Specialised Industry of Piano Sales, Tuning and Technician Work.
If you have an illness or sickness you go to your Doctor. If you have an ache in your tooth, you go to your dentist. The Doctor and the Dentist have done the years doing the University Degrees and training that they need to do to earn this title. You dont ask your Doctor to fix your toothache even though you are in pain. You go to the Dentist because he / she is the expert in teeth and will eliminate the pain.
On the other hand if you are learning to drive a car you have a driving instructor. Would you ask this instructor about the car you need to buy? No you wouldn’t. You would ask firstly, a car dealer about the models that would suit you in the driving conditions you have, and secondly, a mechanic as to their experience with mechanical problems with that make and model of car. You would also probably test drive the car yourself.
I, as a Piano Dealer, 'Piano Tuner and Technician' I hold Certificates too. I did my 3 years plus practical training course, under instruction and had to pass examinations to become a Certified Tuner and Technician. Over the last 43 years I continue to learn and come across new things with the so many different styles of pianos and working mechanisms there are out there in old and new pianos.
Ask your music teacher how the piano really works? Most cannot tell you. Do they know there are about 9000 (Nine Thousand) moving parts in a piano and any one of them could cause a problem in the working of your piano. Do they know the symptoms and do they know how to fix it? No, they don’t.
When it comes to buying a Piano as a working instrument for your home, I am sorry to inform you, but your Music teacher is not the best person to ask. They know about music and teaching and that is there specialty, they may have opinions on Pianos they have played and prefer as an instrument. However we do not get a lot of piano teachers coming around trying our new models so they can keep up to date with the advice they give people wanting to buy pianos.
My involvement in the industry is to contribute to the field of Music by being the dedicated specialist that I am in Piano tuning and Technical knowledge. Advise on the instrument and what sort of instrument will give you as a buyer the best for your playing experience and the dollars you want to spend. There are countless brands of pianos about, some better than others, and some not as good. In my travels I encounter nearly every brand and model, which therefore gives me more knowledge on what, is good and what is not as good and this alone gives me the experience to discuss piano makes and models with you.
I sell Schimmel, Vogel and Bernstein pianos because I know they are quality pianos, excellent value and affordable. As the tuner I am the one that will come to tune these pianos and face you in your home, so if there is a problem we meet face to face.
I have chosen the brands I sell because I like to invest in pianos that will encourage young people to continue learning and enjoying music.
A 'friend' told me I should put a bowl of water in my piano, is this true?
In the drier regions of Australia I suggest a 2 liter ice cream container be placed in the bottom of the piano on the right hand side. The bowl needs to be checked once a month as the water can evaporate in that time. But you must remember that a bowl of water will only help, it will not solve the problem. (If you would like to solve the problem there is a way Piano Life Saver System Please contact us for more information.) The reason the water container helps is that your piano soundboard, being made out of wood, will expand and contract with factors like humidity and temperature (as with seasonal change). The water in the bottom will help prevent a change. This in turn, will help stabilize your tuning and regulation. If you have evaporative air-conditioning in the same room as the piano then this is not necessary. Unless you go away and leave your home in the heat. See our section on Piano Life Saver System under Accessories
What should I do if my dog keeps howling while I'm playing the piano?
You first need to check that the dog is barking on standard pitch, after that I'd suggest you have your piano tuned to match. If you are then happy to make beautiful music with your dog it should be okay.
Where in my house should I put my piano?
Basically any interior wall. Exterior walls are more prone to heat up and be affected by the humidity, interior walls are more stable in this respect, more stable for your tuning and the regulation of your piano. See our section on Piano Life Saver System
When the removals' ask "It'll go through, we just have to push it a bit harder, does it matter if it gets a bit scratched!?" What do i say?
Ooo Bother!!!. I should have got Piano Magic to do the shift. We can shift your beautiful piano safely and easier than you could believe.
Does it matter if I get my kids a piano out of the 'weekly paper, Gum Tree or Ebay'?
We feel you will be taking a chance. Most pianos look great on the outside but the strain of 18 tons of strain over many years can cause cracks in the many wood parts even in pianos with a Full Iron Frame.
Maybe it would be a good idea to read our piano buyers guide.
Better still come in and talk to us about your needs and if you have limitations financially talk to us about what you need. It is Better to get a piano that will give your kids reward for effort than something that cant be tuned after you have paid to get it shifted. most of our pianos come tuned and delivered.
(Picture) This piano has a problem with cracks in the tuning plank. This will cause the piano to go out of tune very quickly. this is a full iron frame piano.
Re-felting due to moth damage can cost up to $3500.
Also it would be a good to inspect inside the piano. For a small cost $110 I am willing to inspect pianos for Dynamic range, Moth damage, Pitch, Tuning stability, Cracked soundboard or bridges. Sounds like good insurance.
Note, 80% of the pianos I inspect are not suitable for a child to learn on.
Save time and money come in to our new showroom at 79 Belgravia St Belmont and enjoy 40 years of piano tuning experience. We will find the right piano to suit your needs.
Would you be able to put this piano upstairs for me once I've bought it?
We have many options to have your piano moved up stairs weather it need to go up one flight or be craned in over a balcony.
What are the benefit's of buying a Digital Piano over a real piano?
There are 2 benefits in buying a digital over a real piano. If you want to do recording into a computer program ( our new Story and Clark piano will do this now) and perceived cost saving. I have many customers come into my shop and say we were told a digital piano would take our child right through her exams. Now the teacher is wanting them to buy a real piano for their child to practice on as the touch is better on a real piano. See more about this question in my Piano buyers Guide Page 8
"I'm good at tinkering, so far I've fixed the toaster and the washing machine... Is it hard to replace a broken string?"
No, not if you have the training. Each string needs to be made on site to match each piano note. Some bass strings need to be made in Sydney from a pattern that I would take from the piano. Generally it is a good practice to have a qualified technician / tuner do any work to your piano. Many times I have refused to buy a piano that has been butchered by some one with good intention.
