Why do pianos go out of tune?
The two main reasons pianos go out of tune are changes in temperature and changes in humidity.
How often should a piano be tuned?
Because pianos go out of tune due to changes in temperature, it is best practice to tune a piano twice a year. Once in the Summer and again in the Winter.
Canada can have a wide range of temperatures throughout the year. You may notice during a cold snap or heat wave that your piano will suddenly go out of tune. Wait until the extreme weather has passed, and your piano may return to normal.
Can an old piano be tuned?
Yes, it is possible. If the strings on an old piano have never been replaced, they will be rigid and more resistant to tightening. This increases the chances that a string will snap while tuning. On the plus side, if an old piano has been well maintained and tuned throughout its life, it is more likely to remain in tune for multiple years since its rigid strings are less likely to stretch or contract due to changes in temperature and humidity.
An additional problem is that if a piano hasn't been tuned for many years, corrosion can build up, binding the strings to the metal frame. This means while tuning, tightening the string may only tighten a section and not the entire string, further increasing the chance that a string snaps. However, with proper technique and preparation, these risks can be reduced.