Piano Tuning: What Should I Expect?
What does my piano sound like when it's in tune?
You should be able to play any melody, no matter how simple or complicated, and hear crisp, luscious sound. It's difficult to describe, but you'll know it when you hear it!
Why is a pitch raise required for tuning?
Imagine you have a guitar that has been sitting in its case for over 6 months. You tune the first string, then the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth. You immediately return to the first string and find it was pulled out of tune by the work you did on the other strings.
A piano is exactly the same, except you are working with 18-20 tons of tension and over 250 strings. That is why it is critical to raise the piano's pitch before you can do the final fine tuning. If this crucial step is neglected, the piano will still be out of tune after you are finished. Only the carefulest attention to pitch will perfect your tuning.
How often should I tune my piano?
Most estimates will tell you every 6 months is best.