Absolutely. Although the schedule gets booked in advance, we are happy to accommodate for rush tuning and/or maintenance services when possible. Evenings and weekends can be available if needed. There will be rush charges depending on availability and the amount of advance notice. For more information, see the page Rush/Emergency Services.

Aural tuning means tuning by ear, the way it has been done historically before computers. There are specific processes that enable the tuning to be incredibly accurate using musical interval checks; they ensure the string is set exactly where it needs to be given that specific piano’s sound. Modern electronic tuning devices do save time and mental energy and can deliver great tunings, but we choose to fully embrace the aural tuning experience and enjoy listening to the piano to help it sound its best. For more detailed information, see the Aural Tuning page here.

Yes! Depending on how many years it’s been, it may take some extra time than just a normal tuning but most pianos tune up just fine even if it’s been 15-20 years. If the piano is 70+ years old there may be a risk of string breakage, but most strings can be replaced if needed with small charges for the parts and time.

The average aural tuning takes about two hours from start to finish. If it’s been a long time since it was tuned or further repairs or maintenance need done, plan on the service call taking a little bit longer. Keeping the home quiet really helps with time efficiency and ease of tuning, and is much appreciated!

It depends a bit on the piano and the person playing it. The general rule is once every year at a minimum, but newer pianos benefit from tunings every six months because they react more to the seasonal humidity changes. Some pianists are also more sensitive to when they go out of tune, so they’ll need a tuning at least every 6 months as well. Some pianos expected to perform at high standards are tuned very frequently; concert venues will have a tuning touched up before most every major concert and professional pianists or teachers may have tunings every three to four months.

Humidity change is the primary reason. Dallas-Fort Worth has a lot of humidity changes even within the home that the wood in pianos responds to, both seasonally and day-to-day. With the expansion and contraction of the wood, particularly the soundboard, the tension on the strings changes and accordingly their pitch. Playing the piano extensively can contribute as well, especially if it’s played by a more serious pianist.

Usually not! Sticking keys can have many different causes, but most of the time it’s a relatively simple fix. If it does turn out to involve more than a few extra minutes to address, we’ll definitely discuss the details and the needed additional work before proceeding.

Having your piano tuned regularly is a wonderful start, but tuning actually only addresses the tension levels of the strings so they sound optimally harmonious. Keeping the piano playing evenly, responsively and expressively through the years requires additional maintenance that's called regulation and voicing, which addresses the tone and touch of the piano by working on the piano's inner mechanisms that we call the "action." On the inside, pianos are essentially machines with finely-tuned levers, felts and springs that change with time and use, and there are many points of adjustment that can be tweaked for optimal repetition, control, and expression. For most pianos, it's good to do maintenance every several years or on an as-needed basis. A half- or full-day of service can make a big difference, but if you want even more then two or three days or even some restoration work can be done as well. Recommendations for this work are heavily tailored to the individual piano and pianist so feel free to inquire for more information about what may be best for your needs.

Don't worry, it's actually more common than you'd think. Most of the time it's just a simple fix of a linkage that didn't get reconnected and we can address when you have the piano tuned or sooner if needed.

Check, Zelle, or cash are all preferred because of fewer fees involved, but we can also accept Venmo or credit/debit cards if needed.

Yes! The policy includes: general liability up to $1,000,000; property-in-transit up to $50,000; bailee/property-on-premises up to $150,000; and property-off-premises up to $50,000. Feel free to ask for more details about our policy or a copy of the Proof of Insurance if needed.

Yes, depending on what is needed. General pre-purchase evaluations and insurance valuations are easily done with an in-person visit and form completion. If the purpose is for a charitable donation reported to the IRS where the piano is of significant value, we work with a USPAP-certified appraiser to ensure it is done to the correct standards.

Yes, institutions with more than 10 pianos that are regularly serviced can receive a bulk rate for tuning and other services. Feel free to inquire for more information.