What do I want to know about piano tuning if I am going to make it my profession?

Question

Thanks for your great answers!

Answer 1

First, you have to have the ear for it. Make sure you do.

Second, it is most often done as a small business. You'll want
to study how to do all of the stupid things you have to do
for accounting, taxes, advertising, etc.

If you can afford to do it, I'd advise trying to contact people in your
area who are doing it now. You could work a summer as an
apprentice, or at the very least let them talk your ear off a bit.

Answer 2

Dentata gives some very good advice and you should consider taking it. In addition, keep in mind that pianos with strings (and thus require tuning) are being rapidly replaced at the lower end by electronic pianos. These have not filtered up to the high end yet but much of the consumer market for piano tuning is disappearing. As electronic pianos improve, they will increasingly be used in more upscale locations. In 30 years, an old-fashioned acoustic piano may be a rarity.

If I were you, I would also learn everything I could about digital (electronic) pianos and plan on servicing them as well as servicing acoustic pianos. That way, as your acoustic tuning work dwindles, your digital work will be growing. No need to be a buggy whip manufacturer in the era of automobiles!