What’s Included in a Professional Piano Tuning?
This is a question a lot of people don’t think to ask — but it’s a good one. When you schedule a piano tuning, what are you actually paying for? The simple answer is: in most cases, you’re paying for the tuning itself. That means bringing the instrument to proper pitch and making sure it sounds balanced, clean, and as stable as possible. But depending on the technician or company, what’s included beyond that can vary quite a bit.
What a Standard Piano Tuning Includes
At its core, a professional tuning involves adjusting the tension of each string so the piano is at standard pitch (A4=440Hz) and the notes are properly balanced across the keyboard. Pianos have around 230 strings depending on the size and model of piano, so the tuning process takes precision and time. Some pianos are very stable and require minimal adjustment. Others may have drifted significantly due to temperature and humidity changes since the last service. Part of a professional tuning is also evaluating how the piano is holding pitch, how tight the tuning pins are, and assessing any potential issues that the customer may need to be aware of. The only way to see how your instrument holds a tuning is after having it tuned and monitoring how it settles. Every instrument responds differently depending on its age, environment, and service history.
The goal isn’t just to make it sound good in the moment — it’s to make it as stable as possible moving forward.
Why Prices Vary
You may see tuning rates anywhere from $125 on the very low end to $275 or more in larger cities like Cincinnati or Nashville. Lower-priced tunings often include just the tuning itself. Many professional services in cities like Louisville fall in the $175–$225 range, depending on experience and business structure. In most cases, that base rate covers tuning only. Any repairs, regulation, or voicing work would be additional. That’s not necessarily wrong — it’s just important to know what’s included when you book.
What We Include at River City Piano Service
At River City Piano Service, we try to keep things straightforward. If we’re performing a full-price tuning and we notice something small — like a squeaky pedal, a sticking key, or a quick adjustment that can be handled in 10–15 minutes — we’ll usually just take care of it. As long as it’s simple, accessible, and doesn’t open a bigger repair issue, we typically include that in the tuning visit at no extra charge.
Now, if something is more involved — say a repair that requires parts, significant disassembly, or extended labor — we’ll talk through it first. Minor repairs might range from $25 to $75 depending on time and complexity. Our general philosophy is this: if it’s quick and reasonable to fix while we’re there, we’d rather just handle it and leave the piano better than we found it.
Every Piano Is Different
Pianos really are living, breathing organisms. They’re made of wood, felt, wool, and steel. They respond to temperature, humidity, and age. Some instruments hold tuning exceptionally well. Others are more sensitive. That’s why part of a professional service visit is observation and guidance — helping you understand how your unique piano behaves in your unique space.
Tuning isn’t just a transaction. It’s ongoing care.
The Bottom Line
When booking a piano tuning, it’s perfectly reasonable to ask: “What does your tuning include?” Most of the time, the answer is simply the tuning itself. Anything beyond that depends on the company.
If you’re in Louisville and looking for professional piano tuning with clear communication and straightforward service, we’d be happy to help. You can Schedule Online or Contact Us with any questions about your instrument.
We’re here to make the process simple — and to keep your piano sounding its best.
