Robert has over 40 years of professional experience in the music industry and offers you his exceptional service skills as well. In addition to his piano technology training, he is a professional jazz pianist and a music teacher/coach. This additional and deeper musical knowledge gives Robert a greater sensitivity to the needs of his clients. As a result, he serves as a piano technician in a highly successful capacity.
- Experience: Tuning since 2000 in Grey/Bruce/Simcoe County and the official piano tuner for the Grey/Bruce Catholic and Public School Boards since 2007
- Education: Randy Potter School of Piano Technology, Oregon USA; University of Montana (USA) Piano Technology Seminars
- Apprenticeship: Local well-established veteran tuners including past manager of Heintzman Plant Canada (Hanover)
- Instruments: A variety of experience including Yamaha 9′ Grand, Bosendorfer 7′, Steinway B, along with various domestic, European and Asian uprights and spinets, and some square grand experience as well
- Clients: Private homes, churches, Grey/Bruce Catholic and Public School Boards
How Often Should you Tune Your Piano?
Tuning your piano twice a year is suggested if you are an advanced student, a discerning professional or want your piano sounding its best throughout the entire year. Twice a year will give you the most stable tuning at A440. For a typical “home family” tuning, once a year is the recommended minimum. If you leave it much longer than a year you will most likely have some “pitch” or “tension” variation from the industry standard of A440 in addition to an out of tune piano. Your needs will determine how often you should tune your piano and when. As a fellow pianist and piano teacher, Robert knows that everyone loves playing a freshly tuned piano.
Please refer to Robert’s published article Piano Tuning: How Often? for more details.
Pitch Correction (Pitch Raise or Pitch Lower)
If your Piano has not been serviced regularly (minimum once a year) it may have some variation from the standard A440 reference pitch. If this variation is large, your piano will require a pitch adjustment tuning to get the tension across the range of the instrument to A440 reference. It will then be ready for a proper tuning. You may wish to think of it as a rough tuning before it is ready for its fine tuning. Without the pitch adjustment the tuning will be unstable. Tuning the piano at the existing pitch/tension may be an option, especially for older pianos.
Regulation
Adjusting your piano action can make a huge difference in the way your piano plays and feels. Older Pianos wear and they begin to feel “sloppy”. The Regulation focuses on the 3 action areas of service, namely: the keys, the wipen assembly, and the hammer assembly. The process begins with leveling your keys and involves fine adjustments to every key system including key height, blow distance, lost motion, let-off, checking, aftertouch, etc.
Repairs
Typical “at home” repairs include sticky keys, broken hammer shanks, missing damper felts, objects stuck in the action, etc. Robert will come out and do specific in-home repairs. However, if it is a minor repair, it can be more cost-effective to schedule a tuning/service as he may be able to include the repair in the tuning fee. Robert’s Canadian supplier has an extensive range of piano parts and delivers quickly. They have everything from strings and key tops to benches and piano covers.
Appraisals/Evaluations
Official written appraisals can be done for a) insurance quotes b) to help sell your piano and/or c) to evaluate whether to sell or repair the piano. If you are uncertain and you would like Robert to come out and evaluate your situation, he would be happy to do so. Sadly, pianos do have a life cycle and at 100 years of age it might be wiser to get a new piano before investing to fix the old one. The exception would be the “family heirloom” as it would have a “priceless” value. Robert may combine a tuning with the appraisal/evaluation for a special rate. This would yield a more thorough evaluation of the pin block and tune-ability, and make the piano sound better and more marketable.
Purchasing a New Piano or Trying to Sell Your Old One?
Robert can help you find a piano or sell your existing one. Contact him for more details.
Fees
Please contact Robert for a quote.
Service Area
- Grey and Bruce County (519-371-6453):
- Thornbury, Meaford, Flesherton
- Hanover, Mt Forest, Owen Sound, Tara, Chesley, Durham
- Wiarton, Big Bay, Southampton, Port Elgin
- Tobermory, Lions Head, Kincardine (special rates)
- Simcoe and Dufferin County (705-994-4288):
- Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Nottawa, Stayner, Sunnidale Corners
- Singhampton, Angus, Minesing, Elmvale
- Shelburne, Barrie, Midland, Coldwater
- Washago, Honey Harbour, Orillia, Orangeville, Bradford
- Gravenhurst, Bala
- Bracebridge, Rosseau, Parry Sound
- Huntsville, Baysville (special rates)
Piano Maintenance Articles
You may also be interested in reading the following articles written by Robert on piano maintenance: