Can I learn how to tune a piano? What should I know if I did?

Answer 1

The old fashioned way is indeed with tuning forks, but to learn to do that that, you almost need an apprenticeship with one of the old guys who still knows how to do this.. it is an art.

However, most modern piano tuners use a box-shaped oscilloscope type electronic tuner that tells them when the pitch is correct. That only requires a little instruction and experience.

Pianos have more than one string per key -- two in the higher notes and three in the lower ones so it can be a tricky procedure to match the pitch.

Then there is the problem of temperament. Actually the oscilloscope only does part of the work. The human ear needs to to do the rest. Notes are not equally spaced apart. To sound right for Western music, we need an adjustment. See the website at http://www.precisionstrobe.com/apps/pianotemp/temper.html
for a technical explanation or for the history go to http://www.terryblackburn.us/music/temperament/stoess.htm

And, as any musician can tell you, listening to an out of tune piano can actually be painful, so you better be equipped with nerves of steel! ....and if you want a really fun job, try pipe organ tuning!

Answer 2

You can tune a piano but you can't tune a fish

Answer 3

If you have good relative pitch you can learn. Perfect pitch is a plus, but you will need to buy tuning forks anyway.

Best way to learn is to apprentice for a working tuner in your area.

Answer 4

You can tune a piano but you cannot tuna fish

Answer 5

To do this, you need a real ear for music and pitch.

Answer 6

you have to know what a musical scale sounds like, and thats about it, easier when you have a tuner anyway