Aural Piano Tuning, Explained
Top Ten Piano Tuning Myths
There's something odd about the way piano tuning is taught. Advice is often repeated as a rule, even when it fails on real pianos.
If you've struggled with unstable tunings, unisons that won't settle, or techniques that work on one string and fail on another, the problem may be the instruction you received.
Here are ten common myths, the practical truth behind each one, and videos that show the ideas in action.
What people say, and what happens in practice
Ten rules worth questioning
Each section links to the original lesson and includes its YouTube video. Use the videos to see the technique or idea discussed in context.
“A P4 beats once per second wide; a P5 beats three times in five seconds narrow.”
The truthFourth and fifth beat rates increase chromatically, just like major thirds. A fixed beat count is too rough to guide precise tuning.
Read the Myth 1 lesson →“You need years of training to hear small beat-speed differences.”
The truthYou do need to hear small changes in beat speed. That sensitivity is a natural listening skill that can be tested and developed.
Open the beat-speed sensitivity test →“Never bend the pin. Ever.”
The truthControlled pin movement is part of skilled tuning. The important distinction is knowing how and when to apply force without permanently bending or damaging the pin.
Read the lesson about bending the pin →“Use the same hammer technique on every pin for the best stability.”
The truthStrings have different non-speaking lengths and respond differently. The hammer technique may need to change from pin to pin, even within one piano.
Read the Hooke’s Law lesson →“Always put the tuning hammer at 12:00 for the best stability.”
The truthNo single hammer position guarantees stability on every string. The right movement depends on the piano and the response of the pin and string.
Read the hammer-position lesson →“Pound every key hard. Test blows are how you get a stable tuning.”
The truthHard blows can strain your hearing and joints and put unnecessary force on the piano. A softer stability check can provide useful feedback without relying on repeated pounding.
Read the lesson about test blows →“The best temperament octave is always a pure 4:2, or a wide 4:2 and narrow 6:3.”
The truthThere is no single octave size that suits every piano. Inharmonicity changes from piano to piano, so the temperament octave should fit the instrument.
Read the lesson about temperament octave size →“Pulling the hammer slowly gives you poor stability.”
The truthA slow pull is not automatically a problem. Used at the right time, it can help produce stable, controlled pitch changes.
Read the lesson about slow pulls →“Always go sharp, then ease the pin back down.”
The truthThis approach can work, but it is not universal. Easing the pin down may leave some strings unstable, so the technique needs to suit the pin and string.
Read the lesson about easing the pin down →“An electronic tuning device tunes better than the ear.”
The truthAn ETD gives useful measurements, but a piano is an unstable system. The final tuning decision must account for how the actual piano responds and sounds.
Read the lesson about ETDs and aural tuning →Put the ideas into practice
See a complete piano tuning, start to finish
Watch Mark tune a piano and explain the listening decisions, techniques, and corrections as they happen.
Watch the Full Tuning Download the original 12 Piano Tuning Myths PDF