Promote harmony in the Universe...
Get Your Piano Tuned Today!
Don't put it off any longer... tune your piano today. Your family will thank you. Because Paul is consistantly booked 2 or more weeks out he is not taking on any new clients... only current and referral clients at this time. Paul guarantees his work and promises to play jazz when he's done.
Piano Consulting...
Paul knows pianos. Before you buy a used piano have Paul look it over for you. For less than a tank of gas Paul will come out and thoroughly inspect your prospective piano so you can make an informed decision. Priceless.
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Contact Tiffany Berg
mobile: 801.380.0543
email: tiffany@tiffanyberg.com
email: tiffany@tiffanyberg.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon can you come?
Currently Paul is booked 2 weeks out.
What other fees are there?
None, unless we've discussed them with you prior to doing the work. The most common service besides tuning is pitch raising. If your piano is more than 15% off pitch than it does take more time and possibly multiple visits to bring it dramatically up in pitch. Pitch raising is an additional $19. Ask Paul how you can even avoid this fee. Here are the basics:
Tuning... $79
Pitch Raising... +$29
Regulation... $39/hr
Repairs... $39/hr +parts
Consulting (local)... $29
How often should I have my piano tuned?
The rule to live by is as often as your piano starts to sound out of tune. Twice a year or more is normal for any piano, whether it's a $200 used Console or $100,000 Concert Grand. Tuning is affected mostly by climate and humidity changes during the year... but it's really up to you. Regular tuning and maintenance of your piano will help keep your piano sounding and working good for many years.
Can you fix that "tinny" sound?
Most of the time when a piano sounds tinny or bright it's because it just needs to be tuned again. There are 2 or 3 strings per key on most of your keys.. if even one of those unison strings are out of tune it can give it a tinny or ringing sound which can be obnoxious sounding. Or, the hammers tend to harden on older or more heavily used pianos, so voicing (softening of the hammers) becomes necessary.
Does heavy playing hurt the piano?
Not particularly. Pianos are designed to be played both delicately and aggressively. However, like anything mechanical, the harder it is used.. the more wear and tear it receives.
Does moving the piano make it go out of tune?
Yes, and No. Moving it gingerly from one room to another should not affect the tuning at all. Moving it across town in the back of a truck will affect the tuning. The biggest factor to a piano going in and out of tune is humidity. A piano is made of mostly wood, and the strings are drawn across a wood bridge. When the air is humid the bridge swells and stretches the strings tighter across the soundboard making the pitch go sharp. As the air gets drier, the bridge shrinks and loosens the strings making the piano go flat. So, [where] you're moving it to becomes more of a factor than just moving it at all.
Is a Grand piano better than an Upright?
Yes. Usually. The Grand piano was the original design. The Vertical piano was an invention in the late 1800's to keep cost and size down. That being said, anything less than a Grand is a compromise in sound, tone quality and responsiveness in the action. And with that being said, not all Grand pianos are made with quality in mind either. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. In a nutshell, Grand pianos are better than Vertical pianos, and expensive Grand pianos are better than inexpensive ones. If you need some help shopping for a piano I can help... and all I ask is $20 per half hour from the time I arrive to the time I leave.
What are the real benefits of a Grand piano?
There are 2 main differences between a Grand and Upright piano besides the obvious horizontal vs. vertical design. The first is Grands were designed for sound volume. Even the very first piano invented was plagued with being too quiet and wasn't resolved for nearly a century. Grand pianos produce alot of sound. Secondly, Grand piano's inherent horizontal design allows for the action mechanism called the repetition lever. This allows the pianist to barely raise the key to strike it again. Whereas the Upright piano key needs to be raised completely in order to strike the key again. So there you have it... sound volume, and speed and accuracy of playing. The question you need to ask yourself is; Where will the piano be? And, who will be playing it?
When buying a piano, what should I look for?
The best thing you can do is just sit down and play the piano. If you like the feel and the sound of that particular piano you may have a winner. The keys should feel solid, slightly weighted and responsive. The tone will vary piano to piano, but whether it's mellow or bright is preference. Older pianos (due to age and use) generally have a brighter sound, but can be toned down if necessary. Avoid pianos that have extra ringing or clicking while playing. Also, open the piano and avoid it if there is any rust on the tuning pins or strings. Remember, if you lack confidence in making the dicision on your own then I can help. Here is a helpful website on Buying Used pianos.
Is Paul really the best?
Yes.
Why do Tuners always play jazz when they're done?
It's the law. Piano Tuning Police are watching.
Currently Paul is booked 2 weeks out.
What other fees are there?
None, unless we've discussed them with you prior to doing the work. The most common service besides tuning is pitch raising. If your piano is more than 15% off pitch than it does take more time and possibly multiple visits to bring it dramatically up in pitch. Pitch raising is an additional $19. Ask Paul how you can even avoid this fee. Here are the basics:
Tuning... $79
Pitch Raising... +$29
Regulation... $39/hr
Repairs... $39/hr +parts
Consulting (local)... $29
How often should I have my piano tuned?
The rule to live by is as often as your piano starts to sound out of tune. Twice a year or more is normal for any piano, whether it's a $200 used Console or $100,000 Concert Grand. Tuning is affected mostly by climate and humidity changes during the year... but it's really up to you. Regular tuning and maintenance of your piano will help keep your piano sounding and working good for many years.
Can you fix that "tinny" sound?
Most of the time when a piano sounds tinny or bright it's because it just needs to be tuned again. There are 2 or 3 strings per key on most of your keys.. if even one of those unison strings are out of tune it can give it a tinny or ringing sound which can be obnoxious sounding. Or, the hammers tend to harden on older or more heavily used pianos, so voicing (softening of the hammers) becomes necessary.
Does heavy playing hurt the piano?
Not particularly. Pianos are designed to be played both delicately and aggressively. However, like anything mechanical, the harder it is used.. the more wear and tear it receives.
Does moving the piano make it go out of tune?
Yes, and No. Moving it gingerly from one room to another should not affect the tuning at all. Moving it across town in the back of a truck will affect the tuning. The biggest factor to a piano going in and out of tune is humidity. A piano is made of mostly wood, and the strings are drawn across a wood bridge. When the air is humid the bridge swells and stretches the strings tighter across the soundboard making the pitch go sharp. As the air gets drier, the bridge shrinks and loosens the strings making the piano go flat. So, [where] you're moving it to becomes more of a factor than just moving it at all.
Is a Grand piano better than an Upright?
Yes. Usually. The Grand piano was the original design. The Vertical piano was an invention in the late 1800's to keep cost and size down. That being said, anything less than a Grand is a compromise in sound, tone quality and responsiveness in the action. And with that being said, not all Grand pianos are made with quality in mind either. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. In a nutshell, Grand pianos are better than Vertical pianos, and expensive Grand pianos are better than inexpensive ones. If you need some help shopping for a piano I can help... and all I ask is $20 per half hour from the time I arrive to the time I leave.
What are the real benefits of a Grand piano?
There are 2 main differences between a Grand and Upright piano besides the obvious horizontal vs. vertical design. The first is Grands were designed for sound volume. Even the very first piano invented was plagued with being too quiet and wasn't resolved for nearly a century. Grand pianos produce alot of sound. Secondly, Grand piano's inherent horizontal design allows for the action mechanism called the repetition lever. This allows the pianist to barely raise the key to strike it again. Whereas the Upright piano key needs to be raised completely in order to strike the key again. So there you have it... sound volume, and speed and accuracy of playing. The question you need to ask yourself is; Where will the piano be? And, who will be playing it?
When buying a piano, what should I look for?
The best thing you can do is just sit down and play the piano. If you like the feel and the sound of that particular piano you may have a winner. The keys should feel solid, slightly weighted and responsive. The tone will vary piano to piano, but whether it's mellow or bright is preference. Older pianos (due to age and use) generally have a brighter sound, but can be toned down if necessary. Avoid pianos that have extra ringing or clicking while playing. Also, open the piano and avoid it if there is any rust on the tuning pins or strings. Remember, if you lack confidence in making the dicision on your own then I can help. Here is a helpful website on Buying Used pianos.
Is Paul really the best?
Yes.
Why do Tuners always play jazz when they're done?
It's the law. Piano Tuning Police are watching.
Paul's Trusted Piano Sources
Baldassin Pianos
Call Rick Baldassin at 801.322.4441
• Fazioli
• Schimmel
• Estonia
• Weinbach
• Pramberger
• Charles Walter
• Nordiska
Daynes Music
Call Skip Daynes at 801.566.6090
• Steinway & Sons
• Boston
• Story & Clark
• Essex
Piano Gallery
Call Ben Tullis at 801.553.2678
• C. Bechstein
• Schimmel
• Yamaha
• Kohler & Campbell
• Wm. Knabe & Co
• Sohmer & Co
• Samik
Riverton Music
Call Alan Sedgley at 801.255.8300
• Mason & Hamlin
• Young Chang
• Baldwin
• Pearl River
Summerhays World Piano
Call David Wang at 801.369.6403
• Seiler
• Kawai
• Joseph Brodmann
• Perzina
• Falcone
Call Rick Baldassin at 801.322.4441
• Fazioli
• Schimmel
• Estonia
• Weinbach
• Pramberger
• Charles Walter
• Nordiska
Daynes Music
Call Skip Daynes at 801.566.6090
• Steinway & Sons
• Boston
• Story & Clark
• Essex
Piano Gallery
Call Ben Tullis at 801.553.2678
• C. Bechstein
• Schimmel
• Yamaha
• Kohler & Campbell
• Wm. Knabe & Co
• Sohmer & Co
• Samik
Riverton Music
Call Alan Sedgley at 801.255.8300
• Mason & Hamlin
• Young Chang
• Baldwin
• Pearl River
Summerhays World Piano
Call David Wang at 801.369.6403
• Seiler
• Kawai
• Joseph Brodmann
• Perzina
• Falcone
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