Piano servicing across Greater Melbourne.

The usual industry recommendation is every 6 to 12 months. For a piano played around 3 hours per week, tuning every 6 months is recommended. Less frequently played instruments should still generally be tuned once a year.

A piano that has not been tuned for 3 to 5 years or longer may have drifted far enough below pitch to require a pitch raise before fine tuning. Every piano is assessed on site before this is determined. A pitch raise is additional work and adds to the appointment time and cost.

Choose tuning with an issue assessment and describe what you have noticed. The reported concern can then be checked during the visit and the practical options explained.

Tuning adjusts the tension of the strings and corrects pitch. Sticking keys, uneven touch, pedal faults and mechanical noises require regulation or repair of the piano’s action. As a general guide, a full regulation is recommended approximately every 7 years, depending on the instrument and how heavily it is used.

If a minor adjustment takes only a few minutes, Brend will usually include it during the appointment. More substantial mechanical repairs, replacement parts or extended regulation work will be explained and quoted before proceeding.

Tuning corrects pitch but does not alter the hammer felt. If the tone remains harsh or uneven, voicing may be considered after pitch and mechanical function have been assessed.

A routine piano tuning usually takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. If the piano requires a pitch raise, or if additional mechanical work has been noted in advance, the appointment may take longer.

Please clear music, books and decorations from the top of the piano so the instrument can be accessed easily. The house does not need to be completely silent, but keeping televisions, radios and vacuum cleaners off in the immediate area is greatly appreciated while the piano is being tuned.

Some older and specialist pianos can be serviced within a standard appointment, while others may require additional time. Antique overdamper mechanisms and player-piano systems can make access more complex, while the metal pinblock system used in some vintage Beale pianos can occasionally become seized.

In some cases, additional work may be required outside a standard tuning appointment and may therefore incur an additional cost. If you are unsure what type of piano you have, please include the brand, approximate age and a clear photograph of the piano and its interior with your enquiry.

The serial number is usually found inside the piano. On many instruments, it is painted or stamped into the iron frame and can be seen after opening the top lid. On some older pianos, it may instead be stamped into the inner face of a side panel, often on the right-hand side, or into the top edge of a side panel where it is concealed beneath the closed lid.

Email or text me the piano brand and serial number, or send a clear photograph if you are unsure, and I can check the available records to identify its manufacturing year.

Regular piano-tuning routes include Hurstbridge, Eltham and the Diamond Valley; Doreen, Mernda and South Morang; Ringwood, Box Hill and Blackburn; and Kew, Camberwell and central Melbourne. Other Greater Melbourne and regional locations may be available by arrangement. Include your suburb in the enquiry form so travel and scheduling can be confirmed.