MidSouth Piano Service

MidSouth Piano Service Piano Tuning | Piano Repair | Piano Regulation | And more

In need of piano tuning or maintenance? Reach out for a quote! Servicing the greater Memphis area
04/23/2026

In need of piano tuning or maintenance? Reach out for a quote! Servicing the greater Memphis area

08/07/2023

🎹🔍 Looking to buy a piano but not sure how to choose the perfect one? 🎶 Don't worry, you're not alone! As a piano technician, I've got you covered with some helpful tips to make sure you find the right instrument for your musical journey. 🎵
1️⃣ Consider the Brand: Just like with cars, piano brands can reveal a lot about their quality and characteristics. For instance, Steinways offer a unique weighty feel, while Yamahas have a bright and poppy sound. Kawai pianos, on the other hand, boast a warm tone and carbon fiber actions. However, each brand may have its specific issues, so doing some research on the model you're interested in can be beneficial.
2️⃣ Play It Yourself: You don't have to be an expert pianist to test out a piano. Sit down and play each key softly, with moderate force, and a bit more vigorously. Pay attention to the response—does the hammer feel like it's striking the string twice? Is any key sluggish to return? Listen for odd noises and feel any abnormalities in the keys' movement.
3️⃣ Examine the Hammers: Older pianos may have worn-out hammers. While you might not know exactly how they should look, there are some key indicators. Check for flattened or deeply grooved hammer surfaces, which could affect the piano's sound quality. Ideally, the hammers should have a slightly rounded teardrop shape without significant grooves. Green and moldy felt is also a sign of age and wear.
4️⃣ Check the Soundboard: The soundboard is crucial for producing beautiful music. Look out for cracks along the seams of the laminated wood pieces. Cracks in the soundboard can cause vibration noise and impact the piano's overall sound quality. A simple trick is to shine a light from one side and check for any light shining through on the other side.
5️⃣ Consult a Professional: For a comprehensive evaluation, have a qualified piano technician inspect the piano before making your purchase. They have the expertise and experience to identify any potential issues that may not be apparent to the untrained eye.
Remember, investing in a piano is an investment in your passion for music. Taking the time to assess the piano's condition will ensure you find one that brings joy and inspiration for years to come. If you need any assistance or have more questions, feel free to reach out. Happy piano hunting! 🎹🎶🎵

03/14/2023

How often do I need to have my piano tuned?

This is the question that is on everyone's mind when they call for a tuning. While some will say a rigid "every year" or "every six months," the answer is almost never that black and white. It all comes down to how piano strings are made to affix on your piano.

Piano strings are attached and wrapped around small metal pins called tuning pins. These pins are simply hammered and twisted into a hard block of maple called the pinblock. Tuning pins are held still within the pinblock just by friction - the grip the tuning pin's threads have on the pinblock is what keeps it from unwinding itself and falling out. No glue, no nails, nothing but friction.

So why does a piano go out of tune?

The most common culprits that contribute to a piano going out of tune are humidity and vibration. Throughout the year we're subject to wildly varying humidity, especially here in the midsouth. As they say, "If you don't like the weather in Memphis, wait 10 minutes and it will change." Especially during the past few winters, temperatures have fluctuated rapidly from the 80s to single digits over the span of just a few days, leading wood in the pinblock to swell and contract quite a bit. This wrecks havoc on the friction holding pins still and knocks pianos out of tune.

Vibrations from use and moving are another big factor to what causes a piano to go out of tune. As tight as the friction holding a tuning pin in place is, even a piano in perfect humidity will see strings falling out of tune over time as it is played. In a home with occasional practice and playing and perfect humidity conditions, a person could get away with tuning once a year. However, homes with daily practice should expect to need tunings every six months.

The final answer that I tell customers is "it depends." Customers can often get away with tuning every 12 months, but any combination of circumstances can require twice a year tunings. The best bet is to have a conversation with your piano tuner about budget and options.

Address

Memphis, TN

Telephone

+14102947750

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when MidSouth Piano Service posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to MidSouth Piano Service:

Shortcuts

Share

Category