Acoustic Piano Tuning

[arcaxis]

I've got an old piano that one key about in the center is slightly out of tune with itself. I don't want to have a pro tune it, the piano just isn't worth that much to me. If I have the right tuning wrench, is this something I could do myself?

[mikeh]

It is possible - if you have a general idea what to to. I've watch my piano tuner very closely whenever he tunes my piano to see how he mutes the surrounding strings, how he tunes each of the three strings for each note, etc. - and if I absolutely had no choice, I could maybe tune a couple of strings (but I choose to pay the money to have it done correctly).

Like any stringed instrument, tighten a little at a time - don't do anything too extreme that could cause damage.

[dementedchord]

well since it's in the middle you dont have to worry about stretch... so take the wrench (that;s called a hammer...wtf?) and put it on the middle string(of three)... find two peices of heavy felt and wedge it in between the other strings and the adjacent... match the middle string to it's octave above and below... then match the other two strings to it.... good luck...

[dgatwood]

Real rubber tuning wedges cost peanuts. Don't hack it, just buy a couple. They'll cost you maybe a buck apiece....