The answers to these frequently-asked questions come from seasoned technicians. You can trust the experts behind these answers are being honest and will give you the most accurate and up-to-date information possible.
How long does it take to learn piano technology?
The speed at which you learn will be dependent on many different factors, such as your own motivation and proclivity for the necessary skills; which avenue of education you choose to pursue; your available resources for practice, and how often you will be able to practice. You may progress very quickly through certain skillsets, but struggle with others. It's also important to note that even after years of practice and education, there will still always be more for you to learn. So perhaps it is more useful to start by setting clear perimeters for what you would like to achieve with your learning. For instance, do you just want to be able to tune your own piano or do you want to become a full-time technician capable of confidently servicing client pianos as your main source of income?
Depending on all of these factors, it can take anywhere from 3 months to 2 years to cover the basics. If you'd like a more personalized estimate for how quickly you could learn about piano technology, talk to a professional technician about your current position and how you would want to progress.
Can I tune my piano with a Korg?
No. Because pianos are inharmonic instruments, the average electronic instrument tuner cannot accurately be used to tune a piano, which is why most piano technicians use an ETD and/or their aural tuning abilities.
What is an ETD?
"ETD," which is an acronym for "electronic tuning device," is an app or device which has been specially designed for tuning pianos. Some of the most commonly-used ETDs, such as PianoScope, CyberTuner, Verituner, and PianoMeter, are available as smartphone apps for a one-time purchase or a subscription fee. Another commonly-used ETD is the Sanderson Accu-Tuner device.
Contrary to Korg tuners, ETDs cost upwards of $300.
What does aural tuning mean?
Aural tuning is the art of tuning a piano by ear. This does not mean that you have to have perfect pitch; aural tuning involves listening to different intervals and being able to identify whether a note is flat or sharp based on how it sounds as it interacts with other notes.
Are there any schools that teach piano technology?
The North Bennett Street School in Boston, Massachusetts, which is one of the top schools in the industry, offers two in-person, nine-month courses—Basic Piano Technology (PT) and Advanced Piano Technology (PA)—both of which provide intensive training with master faculty in a stimulating environment.
The Rick Butler School of Piano Technology is an internet-based correspondence course which allows students to learn at their own pace through virtual training.
The University of Houston hosts The Moores School of Music Internship in Keyboard Maintenance and Piano Technology Program.
Florida State University offers a master's program in piano technology.
Can I teach myself how to tune a piano?
It is extremely unlikely that someone would be able to learn to tune a piano without a teacher, mentor, or quality source of education. Keep in mind that piano tuning is leagues away from tuning the average instrument; while the theory alone is extremely complex, the technique and procedural process can be very kinesthetically challenging without instruction. If you attempt to tune a piano without proper guidance, you may very well damage the instrument in the process.
Should I get a free piano to practice on?
No. While it is tempting to try and practice on a "free" instrument (check out this article to learn more about the paradoxical curse of the "free" piano) that you won't have to worry about damaging, a junky free piano is not going to provide an educational platform for you. In fact, its age and poor condition would likely hinder your progress.
If I can't learn how to tune a piano for free, how much money will I need to invest before I can tune a piano?
If you are unable to borrow supplies from a mentor, you should expect to spend a minimum of $150 on a tuning lever, mutes, and temperament strips. If you want to practice and study piano technology as well as tuning, you will end up needing many more tools, but you can always purchase them individually over time as you begin learning each new skill. Note: ProPTN has its own Rent-A-Lever program for technicians who would prefer to try a lever before they buy it. We also plan to start assembling starter kits for purchase in the near future. If you'd like to be notified of when the kits will be available, sign up for our newsletter!