How Often Should You Tune Your Piano?

If you’re new to piano ownership, one of the most common and important questions you might have is: How often should I tune my piano? While there are a few variables that affect the answer, the general rule of thumb is twice a year.

But why is that? And what are the circumstances that might change this number? Let’s break it down!

1. The Piano Needs Time to Settle in a New Environment

If your piano is brand new or has just been moved into your home, there’s an initial “settling” period that has nothing to do with playing it. The piano is adjusting to the environment of your home—especially the temperature and humidity, which affect the wood and strings.

This settling process usually takes between 4 to 8 weeks, and how smooth that transition is depends on how different your home environment is from the piano’s previous location. If both places have similar humidity and temperature levels, you may not notice much of a difference. But a major change—say, from a climate-controlled showroom to a room with big seasonal swings—can cause the wood to expand or contract, possibly leading to the piano going out of tune and even action issues like stiff or stuck keys.

A good rule to follow is to give the piano about 8 weeks to acclimatize, and then schedule your first tuning.

2. Seasonal Changes Are the Main Tuning Factor

Even if your piano never moves again, it’s still affected by the biggest enemy of all acoustic pianos: climate changes.

As seasons change, especially between winter and summer, the humidity and temperature in your home fluctuate. This causes the wooden components of the piano (including the soundboard and action) to shift slightly, which changes the tension on the strings. That’s why most manufacturers and technicians recommend two tunings per year—usually one in spring and one in fall.

If your home has excellent humidity control (for example, a whole-house humidifier/dehumidifier or a dedicated piano climate control system like Dampp-Chaser), the piano will stay in tune longer, and you might get away with one tuning per year. But for most people, two is ideal.

3. Age, Use, and Build Quality Matter Too

A few other things can influence how often your piano needs tuning:

• Frequent playing (especially loud or heavy playing) can knock a piano out of tune faster.

• Older pianos tend to go out of tune more quickly because the tuning pins don’t hold as tight as they once did.

• High-end pianos tend to hold their tune better than cheaper or entry-level ones, though every piano needs regular maintenance.

If your piano is played professionally, used in performances, or is a higher-value instrument, it’s not unusual to have it tuned three or four times a year or even monthly in some cases. But for most home players, twice per year is the sweet spot.

In Summary

• After moving your piano, wait 6–8 weeks and then get it tuned.

• Tune your piano at least twice a year to stay ahead of seasonal changes.

• Consider extra tunings if the piano is used heavily or starts to sound noticeably off.

• Always use a qualified piano technician, not just someone who “knows how to tune.” A good tech will spot issues early and keep your piano in top shape.

Tuning is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to protect your piano investment and keep it sounding beautiful for years to come. Regular maintenance now means fewer repairs—and better music—down the road.