Piano Tuning & Repair FAQ

In Singapore's humid tropical climate, we recommend tuning your piano at least twice a year — every six months. Pianos used frequently for practice or performance benefit from tuning every three months. Brand-new pianos and recently restrung pianos need 3–4 tunings in the first year as fresh strings stretch and settle under tension.

Standard upright piano tuning costs S$100. Grand piano tuning costs S$200. If a pitch raise is required — typically when the piano has not been tuned for two or more years — an additional surcharge of S$80 (upright) or S$100 (grand) applies. Prices are fixed and published transparently with no hidden fees.

Concert pitch, or A440, is the internationally agreed standard where the A above middle C vibrates at 440 Hz. All other notes on the piano are tuned in precise mathematical relationships to A440. Tuning to A440 ensures your piano will be in tune with other instruments, recordings, and your teacher's piano. Piano Tuning Singapore tunes to A440 on every visit.

A pitch raise is a rough tuning pass that brings all strings back up to near A440 before fine-tuning. It is needed when a piano has drifted more than a quarter-tone below concert pitch — usually after two or more years without tuning. Attempting fine-tuning on a severely flat piano without a pitch raise first causes uneven string tension that makes the tuning collapse almost immediately. Both pitch raise and fine-tuning can usually be done in the same visit.

A standard piano tuning appointment takes approximately 60–90 minutes. If a pitch raise is required as well, allow 90–120 minutes. We include a free basic health check of the action, strings, and pedals in every tuning visit — this does not add significantly to the total time.

Yes, in most cases. Human hearing adapts to familiar sounds over time. A piano that sounds acceptable to its regular player may be significantly out of tune when measured. The test is not whether the piano sounds fine to you, but whether it is at A440 and in tune with itself. Regular tuning — regardless of how the piano sounds — also protects the instrument by maintaining correct string tension on the pin block and soundboard.

Common signs include notes that sound 'wobbly' or wavering (caused by unisons — two or three strings per note — being out of sync), chords that sound dissonant even when played correctly, and a general sense that the piano sounds dull or 'off'. A free tuner app on your phone can give a rough indication — if the A above middle C does not register near 440 Hz, the piano likely needs tuning. The definitive assessment comes from a certified piano technician.

Piano tuning is a skilled trade that requires years of training, specialised tools (tuning hammer, temperament strip, felt mutes), and a trained ear. Amateur tuning attempts can damage tuning pins, break strings under sudden tension changes, or produce an uneven tuning that sounds worse than before. We strongly recommend engaging a certified piano technician for all tuning work.

We recommend waiting 2–4 weeks after a piano move before tuning. Moving causes vibration and physical stress that shifts string tension, and the piano needs time to acclimatise to the temperature and humidity of its new location. Tuning too soon after a move means the tuning will shift again as the piano settles. After 2–4 weeks, schedule a standard tuning — or a pitch raise plus tuning if the piano was significantly out of tune before the move.

New pianos require 3–4 tunings in the first year. New strings are made of steel that stretches significantly under initial tension, causing the pitch to drop quickly in the first months. Most piano manufacturers recommend tuning at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after purchase to stabilise the strings. After the first year, twice-yearly tuning is sufficient for most home pianos.

A piano in storage — especially in Singapore's humidity — will have drifted significantly flat and may have suffered humidity-related damage. It will almost certainly need a pitch raise followed by fine-tuning. It may also need action inspection (checking for stuck keys, swollen felt, rust on strings), interior cleaning, and potentially a dehumidifier system installation to prevent future damage. We recommend a combined tuning and inspection service for pianos returning from storage.

Piano Tuning Singapore offers a full range of repair services including: string replacement, action repair, sticky keys repair, hammer replacement, voicing, regulation, piano cleaning, dehumidifier installation, pedal repair, and full structural restoration for vintage instruments. We service both upright and grand pianos of all brands.

Sticky piano keys in Singapore are most commonly caused by swollen key bushings — small felt rings in the key mechanism that expand in high humidity and grip the guide pins too tightly, preventing the key from returning. Other causes include debris lodged between keys, worn or broken key leads, failed return springs in the action, or a warped key. In most cases, sticky keys can be diagnosed and repaired in a single visit.

Silent or dead notes are usually caused by one of these issues: a broken string (the note will sound at reduced volume or not at all), a broken or disengaged hammer butt or shank (the hammer cannot reach the strings), a stuck damper that prevents the string from vibrating freely, or a disconnection in the key-to-action mechanism. The exact cause requires physical inspection. WhatsApp us to arrange a diagnostic visit.

Piano repair pricing depends on the type and scope of work. String replacement starts from S$80 per string (upright) or S$160 per string (grand). Bass string replacement starts from S$120 per string. Cleaning ranges from S$200–S$500 depending on piano type and level of cleaning required. Action repair, regulation, voicing, and restoration work is quoted on-site after assessment. All prices are transparent and confirmed before any work begins.

Yes. We service both upright and grand pianos of all sizes and all brands. Grand pianos have a different action mechanism (a repetition mechanism that allows faster repeated notes) compared to uprights, but our technicians are trained in both systems. Grand piano tuning, action repair, regulation, voicing, and restoration are all available.

Piano Tuning Singapore provides piano tuning and repair services islandwide. We are based at 1 Sengkang Square and provide particularly fast, same-week service to Northeast Singapore — Sengkang, Punggol, Hougang, Buangkok, Serangoon, Ang Mo Kio, Toa Payoh, and Bishan. We also regularly serve the Central, East, West, and North regions of Singapore.

The fastest way to book is via WhatsApp at +65 9871 5256. Send us your piano brand and type (upright or grand), your location in Singapore, and your preferred date. We will confirm your appointment same-day in most cases. You can also call us directly at +65 9871 5256 or use the contact form on our website.

Please clear the area around the piano so the technician has enough working space. Remove items stored on top of the piano. Have your piano brand and model name ready — it is usually printed on the fallboard (the wooden cover over the keys) or on the cast-iron plate inside the lid. If you have noted any specific problems such as sticky keys, buzzing sounds, or broken strings, let us know in advance so the technician can allocate enough time.

We accept Cash, PayNow, and Bank Transfer. Payment is made after the service is completed — no deposit is required to book an appointment. The final price is confirmed with you at the time of booking so there are no surprises on the day.