Understanding Piano Tuning: A Guide for Piano Owners

The Challenges of Piano Tuning

Yes, it is completely impossible to tune a piano perfectly. Luckily, this has not been a huge problem for me. However, some tuners have faced angry clients who were not satisfied with the job. These clients often hear “wolf” tones when playing chords or octaves. They immediately think they got a bad deal.

In truth, as I have discussed in previous blogs, there are various ways to tune a piano. Each method focuses on which frequencies to sacrifice for the greater good of the pianist.

Common Tuning Systems

As mentioned before, equal temperament is the most common tuning system. In this method, the frequencies will have their beats in thirds, fifths, and sevenths, but no beats in octaves. While the beats in these chords may be somewhat unpleasant to a more discerning ear, most piano players either do not hear them or ignore them.

Other tuning systems tend to produce much worse wolf tones. These are the sacrifices made to achieve pure intervals that the pianist is more likely to play. For example, if a tuner asks about your favorite type of music and you respond with classical, they might use the Kirnberger III tuning method. This method was designed in the second half of the 18th century by a student of Bach. Kirnberger specifically created it to enhance Bach’s scores.

The Kirnberger III method favors pure thirds while sacrificing certain fifths that classical composers were less likely to use. These fifths are typically adjusted down to a ¼ syntonic comma. If you’ve ever heard a sound that unpleasant, you might as well have been tuned into a radio station from hell.

Tailoring Your Piano Tuning

There will be more on the Kirnberger III in a later blog. For now, if your newly received piano doesn’t sound quite right, it’s likely that your playing style is not best suited to equal temperament.

Next time you have your piano tuned, inform the tuner of your playing style or play for them. They can then provide a tuning that is more tailored to you.

Choosing the Right Tuner

Be very aware: If the tuner you hire is inexperienced or lacks professional training, they may not be the right fit for you. This is especially true if equal temperament is bothering you. When deciding on a tuner, consider their experience in the field.

In conclusion, understanding the nuances of piano tuning can greatly enhance your playing experience. By communicating your preferences to your tuner, you can achieve a sound that resonates with your style.

And as always… Stay tuned!

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