How to Tune Pianos

The Hobby, Skill, and Career of Piano Tuning

By Mark Cerisano

Pitch Raise Calculator

Pitch Raise Calculator

Whenever you tune a piano, there is always a chance of breaking strings.
This calculator is an attempt to calculate that chance, from 98% for a 50 cent pitch raise on an old piano with rust and a lot of broken strings already, to 1% for a new piano at pitch (There's always a chance no matter how small).

(Click the '♰' to get more info)
♰ Older pianos have a higher chance of breaking strings during the tuning.
♰ Rusted strings have a higher chance of breaking during the tuning.
♰ Piano technicians sometimes repair broken strings by tying them also known as string splicing. If strings have broken in the past, there's a high chance others will break during a tuning.
♰ Piano technicians will replace broken bare strings with a new shiny string. If strings have broken in the past, there's a high chance others will break during a tuning. (Count the string segments. I.e. One replaced bare string will produce two shiny segments)
♰ Piano technicians will sometimes shift a broken string and share the three coils from the unbroken side with the broken side, resulting in only one and a half coils on each pin. If strings have broken in the past, there's a high chance others will break during a tuning.
♰ Older pianos have older strings which can break more easily.
♰ Rusted strings have a higher chance of breaking.
♰ Beginners need training and will lose customers. Expert technicians are looking to expand and probably can afford more and will make more from your list.
♰ These are customers who tune their piano at least once a month like concert halls or recording studios. List the number of pianos you tune at least once a month.
♰ How many full-time years have you been in business? If it was part-time, pro-rate it. This is the number of years you have been in business at this location, not number of years you have been tuning.
♰ We will add $3,000 to the business value if you will pay these fees. Select Buyer/No Fees if they are no legal fees in this transaction.
♰ This is the used value of the tools, cars, computers, etc, that you are selling to the buyer.
♰ Will the buyer pay you in one lump sum, will they pay you over time (owner financed), or will they pay you a little bit from each tuning they do (Per Tuning)?
♰ Will you pay for postage to send letters to each of your clients to introduce the new technician to them and vouch for the new technician's ability?.
♰ If the buyer is a beginner, will you train them to be able to tune and repair pianos?