Requirements for becoming a piano tuner9/12/2023 ![]() It depends, but almost every time I tune at a large concert hall, I try to stay for the concerts. And if I were to be listening to a record, the sounds would sometimes confuse me, because it would depend from factors such as recording techniques, situation, location and different era of the piano used for the recording.ĭo you stay at the concerts/rehearsals after tuning the piano, and what do you listen for? If someone were to play a piano in a hall, it would be a bit more difficult for me. If I were to play a piano myself, even if blindfolded I would be able to recognise almost 100% of the piano brands I know. In some cases, you can adjust the piano sound with regulation or voicing, but from my point of view, you have to be very careful not to overdo it.Ĭan you recognise the sound of a specific brand of pianos? In this way, you can adapt one piano sound for various settings. In terms of sound balance, the angle of the brass wheels – especially the one under the tail – affects sound, volume and strength. Even if you move the piano only a few inches, the sound will be greatly different. The position of the piano on the stage is also very important. On the other hand, for concertos, it may require a little bit more strength to stand out in the orchestra. For chamber music, such as duo with a violin or a singer, the sound should be more intimate, warmer, harmonised to the partner. We have to find the best sound balance for the piano in each concert. I always consider which type of concert the piano I am tuning is going to be used for. A very unique one I can remember was a pianist who wanted a Feng shui tag to be put on the iron frame of the piano during the concert – as long as it does not damage the piano, I am always happy assist the pianists in any way.ĭo you work differently on a piano depending if it's going to be played at a solo recital or with an orchestra? Some pianists have been particularly demanding, and in various ways: about tuning, such as requesting Classical (non-equal) temperament, or specifying how to stretch the octave (wider or narrower), or requesting a fine regulation of keys and action. Also, a piano moved from a cold place, like an outdoor setting or a storage room, should not be tuned until it gets warmer, otherwise even the greatest tuning work will end up being in vain.Īre there pianists that are particularly demanding and why? At concert halls that have several concerts a week, because of the pianos being tuned very frequently, the strings gradually become stagnant, and to tune such strings exactly is very difficult. In terms of piano quality itself, smaller pianos tend to be more challenging to tune. What is the most difficult piano you had to tune and why? I always look for the "pinpoint" to optimise the balance of harmonics and fundamental tone. It depends on how you add just slight force to tuning pins while tuning. Another thing I focus on is how the harmonics sounds in relation to the fundamental. By controlling the interferences at those intervals, well-trained piano tuners are able to tune fairly accurate equal temperament. What do you listen for, when tuning a piano?Īll piano tuners listen to the arising interferences between two sounds such as unison, octave, perfect fifth, perfect fourth and major third. ![]() Suntory Hall’s wooden walls, coincidentally, are made in white oak, the same material used for some whisky casks. Great concert halls seem to be the perfect casks for pianos to be matured, like brilliant spirits. The sound they create is always beyond my imagination. ![]() For example, I have tuned all of Suntory Hall's Steinway pianos since its inauguration and each piano, without any exception, has resounded with fascinating expressions in concerts by great pianists from all over the world. I believe that the fascinating sound of a piano is created not in a piano factory, not by piano technicians, but by great pianists. It might sound a bit strange, but I don't have any favourite piano in particular. After graduating, I got a job at a tiny piano shop and started training as a tuner at the Yamaha Piano Technical Academy.ĭo you have a favourite piano and what fascinates you about it? The director of the band then suggested I should become a piano tuner. I didn't play piano in my childhood, but instead I played baritone tuba in my high school band.
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