Piano Guidance
Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev Pexels Logo Photo: Yaroslav Shuraev

How long after moving a piano should it be tuned?

Though there's no harm in waiting longer, the average instrument needs a minimum three- to five-day acclimation period before it's tuned. Because it takes time for the instrument to settle, it's quite likely that it will be knocked out of tune once more.

What is the most relaxing piano piece?
What is the most relaxing piano piece?

11 of the most relaxing pieces of piano music Ludovico Einaudi: I Giorni. ... Claude Debussy: Clair de Lune. ... Philip Glass: Glassworks (I. ......

Read More »
How Do I Live Without You original singer?
How Do I Live Without You original singer?

"How Do I Live" is a song written by Diane Warren. It was performed by American singer, songwriter and actress LeAnn Rimes and the extended version...

Read More »

Whether it’s because of a change of location or the purchase of a new instrument, a successful piano move can be a challenging process. Because pianos are so delicate, there are a few things to consider when moving them. One of the biggest questions is whether an instrument must be tuned after a move. Is re-tuning necessary? It can be under some circumstances, including humidity shifts, relocations, and other environmental changes. Read on to learn why your piano may get out of tune and how to move it safely.

Humidity and Its Effects on Piano Tuning

In many cases where pianos are moved from one location to the next, they suffer from temperature fluctuations. Unless your instrument is moved in a climate-controlled van, it may react adversely to these shifts. Though most moves happen quickly, so do a piano’s reactions to sudden humidity and temperature changes. If there’s not enough airborne moisture, the piano’s wood may shrink and its parts might shift, crack, and loosen. When this happens, it’s almost inevitable that an instrument goes out of tune. Because pianos are made of so many natural and delicate materials, it’s important to keep them in controlled environments. The components from which a piano is made need the right humidity level to maintain their functionality and tuning stability. To ensure this, many instrument owners use humidifiers. The right moisture level for pianos is between approximately 40 and 45%, and humidification systems constantly adjust and monitor the condition.

Dryness Causes Different Problems

Though humidity is a big worry, dryness can also be damaging. A piano’s soundboard shrinks as its internal moisture evaporates. When the component has lost most of its moisture, it may crack. This condition is quite common in pianos. Without a controlled environment, cracks are a certainty. Dryness may also cause an instrument’s pitch to flatten, and an extreme lack of moisture might weaken the glued joints that hold the soundboard and other wooden parts together.

How Quickly Do Pianos Acclimate After They’re Moved?

When delicate instruments are moved from location to location, they must be allowed to acclimate to their new surroundings. Tuning the piano immediately after a move would likely be a wasted investment.

What's the loudest sound on earth?
What's the loudest sound on earth?

But what about the loudest sound ever heard? On the morning of 27 August 1883, on the Indonesian island of Krakatoa, a volcanic eruption produced...

Read More »
Is playing piano good before bed?
Is playing piano good before bed?

Studies have shown that music can actually help reduce stress and promote relaxation, both of which are key to falling asleep on your premium...

Read More »

The wooden parts from which a piano is made must react to airborne moisture as well. Though there’s no harm in waiting longer, the average instrument needs a minimum three- to five-day acclimation period before it’s tuned. Because it takes time for the instrument to settle, it’s quite likely that it will be knocked out of tune once more. As the piano acclimates, all its parts must adjust to the moisture level in the new environment. The same process must be repeated each time a piano is moved. Because the environment changes each time, especially for brand new instruments, they may need seasonal tuning. A new piano should be re-tuned at least three times within the first year of ownership. After that, the tuning frequency can be reduced.

Moving Affects a Piano’s Tune

If you have never moved a piano before, you might not know just how challenging the process can be. Instruments must be partially disassembled when they’re relocated. Here, the legs and pedals are removed before they’re wrapped with the rest of the casing. Then, the piano is lifted by a crew of professionals, turned on its side, and put onto a dolly. Depending on the piano’s original location, getting it to the moving truck may be difficult. Long moves, especially those coming from upstairs rooms, may cause an instrument’s parts to loosen, shift, and crack. Sometimes, a simple change in location causes a piano to go out of tune. Other actions, such as excessive turning or shaking, may knock parts out of place. However, the primary reason for de-tuning is the moving truck’s temperature. In most instances, these vehicles are very humid and they’re not climate controlled. If an instrument is being moved a significant distance, it will have more than enough time to lose its tune no matter how well it’s wrapped. When there’s an extreme temperature shift, it takes little time for a piano to suffer the effects.

How to Keep Your Piano Tuned While Moving it

What guitar does to your body?
What guitar does to your body?

For starters, it is a great way to relieve stress. It can also help you connect with other people who share your passion for music. Playing guitar...

Read More »
What is the anger hormone called?
What is the anger hormone called?

Physical effects of anger The adrenal glands flood the body with stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol.

Read More »
Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide
Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Pianoforall is one of the most popular online piano courses online and has helped over 450,000 students around the world achieve their dream of playing beautiful piano for over a decade.

Learn More »

Relocation, in and of itself, isn’t what causes pianos to lose their tune. More often, the things that happen after a move are what cause the problem. Even a long-distance move won’t cause a piano to be de-tuned. While it seems to be a cause, there are a few ways to stabilize an instrument’s tune during a move. The first step is to schedule the relocation as late or as early in the day as possible. During the morning and evening, temperatures are much lower, which means the moving van won’t be as humid. It’s best to hire a moving crew that specializes in piano relocations rather than an all-purpose moving company. Dedicated piano movers have climate-controlled vehicles that help instruments maintain a stable tune. When moving a piano, it’s a good idea to use a humidifier within the instrument if possible. If the moving truck has an auxiliary power supply, the device will work throughout the move. By using a portable humidifier, the instrument will get the right level of moisture and it’s more likely to stay in tune. After a piano is in its new home, the humidifier may be useful once more. With proper humidifier use, you’ll shorten the acclimation period before re-tuning can occur.

Conclusion

Pianos are resilient instruments, but they’re quite sensitive to changes in location, temperature, and humidity. Generally, a piano should be tuned with each change of location, unless the move is within a single building. In most cases, a move from one room to another part of the home won’t cause problems unless the new room has a different climate, such as a patio, a garage, or a den. To ensure the safety and stability of your instrument, trust the pros to get the job done.

What is the number 1 song of 2020?
What is the number 1 song of 2020?

Blinding Lights The Year in Charts 2020: The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Is the No. 1 Hot 100 Song of the Year. The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" is...

Read More »
What kind of music do people with ADHD like?
What kind of music do people with ADHD like?

Classical music by composers such as Mozart, Bach, and Vivaldi are just some examples of music with a structured rhythm that has worked well with...

Read More »
Why is it called drop 2?
Why is it called drop 2?

The term Drop2 comes from taking the 2nd higest note in each one and drop it down an octave. This makes it possible to get the notes together in...

Read More »
Do animals like humans singing?
Do animals like humans singing?

With vocal ranges and heart rates very different from ours, they simply aren't wired to appreciate songs tailored for our ears. Most studies find...

Read More »