The Art & Science of Piano Tuning

As a master piano tuner with years of experience in both aural tuning and Electronic Tuning Devices, I can say with certainty that piano tuning is both an art and a science. The art part involves a deep appreciation for music and an ability to understand its complexity, while the science part requires a rigorous understanding of the harmonic series and the ability to properly temper intervals.

The piano is actually an inharmonic instrument, which means that even a single string’s harmonics are progressively sharp of it’s fundamental. The result is that the piano can not be tuned perfectly. Tuning a piano requires the tempering of intervals to create the illusion of being in tune. Anyone with perfect pitch will be glad to point out that even a beautifully tuned piano is slightly out of tune ;)

Here’s a great video of Grammy Award winning, Jacob Collier demonstrating this.

YouTube -Jacob Collier tunes the piano

At the center of piano tuning is the concept of equal temperament, which has become the standard tuning style for modern music and pianos. Equal temperament is based on the idea that the octave is divided into 12 equal intervals, which allows for easy modulation between keys and ensures that there is no noticeable difference in the quality of sound when playing in different keys.

But while equal temperament provides a solid foundation for piano tuning, achieving the perfect tuning requires a skilled tuner who can navigate the delicate balance between technical accuracy and artistic expression. This requires an acute awareness of the unique characteristics of each individual piano, as well as an ability to work with musicians to create a sound that is tailored to their specific preferences and playing style.

Ultimately, piano tuning is a challenging and rewarding pursuit that requires a combination of scientific rigor and artistic intuition. It demands a deep understanding of music and the physics of sound, as well as an ability to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the instrument. As a master piano tuner, I take great pride in my ability to achieve the perfect balance between science and art, and to create an instrument that is both technically accurate and artistically expressive.