Generally, how often should a piano be tuned?

• A. Every month
• B. Two to Four times a year
• C. Once a decade
• D. Every week

Answer: (B)

Pianos drift in pitch because string tension changes with humidity, temperature, and how much the instrument is played. Regular tuning keeps the instrument sounding in proper pitch and preserves evenness across the keyboard. For most pianos in homes or studios, tuning a couple of times a year up to four times is a sensible balance: it corrects seasonal pitch drift and normal use without being wasteful. Tuning once a month is usually more than needed for everyday use, unless the instrument sits in extreme conditions or is used professionally. Waiting a decade would let notes drift far enough that bringing everything back in tune would be difficult and could stress components. Once a year could miss noticeable drift during changing seasons, making the piano sound off in daily play. If environmental conditions swing a lot, or the piano is older or very heavily used, more frequent tuning may be appropriate, but the usual guideline is about two to four times annually.