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"The Piano Doctor"
Alexander Felides
Certified Piano Technician
The services I offer include tuning, regulation, appraisals, repairs and Piano Life Saver System installations.
Call or Text: 603-818-6609
Email: thepianodoctor@gmail.com
I learned the craft at Boston's prestigious North Bennet Street School, and I serve most of Eastern MA, and Southern NH.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes pianos go out of tune?
Pianos strings change pitch for two primary reasons. One, the strings on a new piano go through a period of initial stretching and settling, and two, humidity changes cause the piano’s structure to swell and contract, affecting the strings.
How often should I have my piano tuned?
Most manufacturers recommend your piano be tuned four times the first year you own it, and twice a year after that. For most homes though, I think every seven to nine months is ideal. That way the piano eventually gets a tuning in each season, rather than always being tuned the same time every year. You, however, are obviously the final judge; and as long as you are happy with your piano's sound it is sufficient for it to only receive annual service. Anything more than a year, and the chance of the piano needing a pitch raise to be properly tuned becomes more likely.
What is a pitch raise?
Your piano naturally goes flat in the winter and sharp in the summer. All this movement affects the piano’s approximately 230 strings considerably. The strings are stretched at an average tension of 150 to 200 pounds apiece, for a total tension of about 18 to 20 tons. The longer the piano goes without tuning the further it gets from this proper amount of tension (pitch). It is impossible to make any large jumps in overall tension and have a stable tuning in one pass. The “pitch raise” process involves returning all the strings to their proper average tension levels, so that the piano can then be accurately tuned.
What is regulation?
Your piano has 88 keys, each with at least 50 points of adjustment. Those thousands of moving parts are affected by use, climate, and wear. Regulating a piano’s action, (the moving parts), returns the geometry of those adjustments to their proper place.
How long does a tuning take?
A regular tuning takes a little more than an hour. A pitch raise and tuning takes about two hours. In order to maximize the quality of your tuning it is helpful and greatly appreciated if you make that time as quiet as possible. Piano tuning requires very careful listening and intense concentration. The TV, radio, running water, dishwashers, washers, dryers, and other extraneous noise all interfere with the process.
The care of your piano is a financial investment, and I hope this information helps you understand the complexities involved. Please feel free to ask me about any other concerns or questions you may have that were not addressed here.
Price list:
Basic Tuning - $175.00
Regulation and/or Repairs - $60.00 per hour
Upright "Piano Life Saver System" + installation - $650.00
Grand "Piano Life Saver System" + installation - $750.00
Looking for a teacher or even a pianist to hire? Try nhpiano.com
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