Published 16 October 2026, updated 23 October 2026 · 2 minute read · Written for buyers, not for any one instrument
How often does a piano need tuning?
Yamaha's maintenance guidance recommends tuning at least annually, and twice or more for new or heavily used instruments. Ask your technician to recommend a schedule that suits your piano's age, condition and the room it lives in.
If a piano has not been tuned for several years, the pitch may have dropped. The tuner may need to do a pitch raise before fine tuning, which can mean more than one session. Ask about this when you book.
What happens during a tuning session
The tuner adjusts the tension of each string using a tuning lever. They work through the full range of the keyboard, checking each note against a reference pitch. Ask the tuner when booking how long the session is expected to take for your instrument.
During the session, the tuner may also observe:
- The hammer condition and whether they are wearing unevenly.
- The action: whether keys are responsive, sticking or sluggish.
- The pedals: whether they engage smoothly and fully.
Ask when booking what the session includes. If the tuner finds something beyond normal tuning, they should explain it separately and provide a written recommendation rather than adding unexpected charges.
How to prepare
Before the tuner arrives:
- Clear the top of the piano and the area around it so the lid can be opened fully.
- Ask the tuner when booking if there are any room conditions they need you to arrange for the session.
- Note any specific issues: sticking keys, buzzing notes, a pedal that does not return, or any sound that concerns you.
- If you have the piano's service history or previous tuning records, have them available.
What to ask when you book
- What is included in the tuning fee? Ask what the session covers and what is charged separately.
- How long will the session take for this instrument?
- What happens if the pitch needs a raise rather than a standard tune?
- Will you receive a written note of any issues found?
- Are there any room conditions you should arrange before the visit?
Music Companion tunes pianos it sold and pianos bought elsewhere. See the tuning service page for booking details. For ongoing maintenance guidance, see the piano care guide.
Tuning, answered.
How often should I tune my piano in Singapore?
Yamaha’s maintenance guidance recommends tuning at least annually, and twice or more for new or heavily used instruments. Ask your technician to recommend a schedule for your piano, taking its age, condition and room environment into account. A piano that has not been tuned for several years may need more than one session to bring the pitch back.
What does a piano tuner actually do?
A tuner adjusts the tension of each string so the piano plays at the correct pitch across all notes. During the session, the tuner may also observe the condition of other parts (hammers, dampers, pedals) and note anything that needs attention separately. Ask when booking what the session covers.
How do I prepare my piano for tuning?
Clear the area around the piano so the tuner can open the top panel and work comfortably. Ask the tuner when you book if there are any room conditions they need you to arrange. Let them know of any sticking keys, buzzing sounds or pedal issues you have noticed.
Can a piano be too far gone to tune?
If a piano has not been tuned for many years, the pitch may have dropped significantly. Bringing it back up can require a pitch raise, which is a larger adjustment done before fine tuning. The tuner will assess whether this is practical for the specific instrument.
Where the rest is set out on this site: Tuning service and booking → Piano care and humidity in Singapore → Piano moving guide → Concert pitch A440 and pitch raising → All guides →
Book a tuning.
Tell us the piano model, when it was last tuned and where it is. We will confirm availability and what to expect.