Piano Tuning in Burlington, VT

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Aural Piano Tuning provides piano tuning services in Burlington, VT, and the extended area. To do so, we exclusively utilize aural tuning rather than using an electronic tuning device (ETD). Aural tuning, or piano tuning by ear, relies on human hearing rather than a machine to make adjustments. This method is preferred because the goal of piano tuning is to have the intervals convey emotional relationships. ETDs (Electronic Tuning Device) can easily detect fundamental frequency deficiencies but do not account for the relationship of the harmonics- the foundation of Harmony. The human ear and heart relate to the instrument based on the balance of overtones which is unique to each piano and room. It takes years of practice for a technician to develop the skills for precise aural piano tuning.  

Pianos need tuning to account for humidity changes in their surrounding environment. The piano is comprised of many sensitive wooden components, and when wood absorbs moisture from the air, depending on the amount, these components begin to swell—especially the soundboard. In humid conditions, the crowned soundboard will raise and lower itself, causing the attached bridges to move out of their designed downbearing position. This, in turn, makes the strings expand and contract, causing a piano to lose its precise tuning. The reverse occurs during dry winter conditions, the crown of the soundboard contracts as moisture is outgassed. The piano literally breathes with the air... it is a living being with all the uniqueness of your other family members. 

There is not a straightforward answer to how often you should have a piano professionally tuned, as it heavily depends on circumstantial factors such as usage amount and external climate conditions. However, most piano manufacturers recommend piano tuning at least twice a year. In some instances where the piano has not been tuned regularly, more than one servicing may be required before the notes will hold their precise frequencies and harmonics. This has to do with downbearing changes while bringing a piano back to tension of the instrument that has been neglected. Contact us, and we can provide useful tuning recommendations for your specific model and acoustic conditions of the room. 

If you need piano tuning in Burlington or other parts of Vermont, do not hesitate to reach out to John Daly at 802-310-1894 or auralpianotuning@gmail.com.