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Piano Tuner-Technician

Expert Sources: Jon Loyd
Date: November 9, 2014
Reads: 70,482

Career Overview

Piano Technicians tune and repair pianos.

Alternate Titles

Piano Tuner, Piano Technician

Avg. Salary

$39,5481

Salary Range

$22K-$109K1

Career Description

“A typical day for a Piano Technician would be making house calls and ‘on location’ service calls,” says Nashville-based Piano Technician and musician Jon Loyd. “Primarily, Piano Technicians are called in to tune the piano, but other repairs and services are commonly needed in addition to tuning. Piano Techs work in homes, concert halls, large venues, small venues, clubs, churches and anywhere pianos live!

“Pianos are large, heavy, and not easy to transport like a guitar or flute. Therefore, the Technician must often travel to the location of the piano. Some Technicians work primarily in the field of rebuilding pianos. They spend more time in a workshop, where the piano is, in fact, brought to the shop and rebuilt in various stages based on the customer’s wants/needs.”

Because of the wide range of places where pianos are found, Piano Techs work with all kinds of people, including Musical Instrument Builders, Concert Hall Managers, Nightclub Managers, Orchestra Managers, Composers, and musicians of all sorts.

Salary

The average annual earnings for a Piano Tuner-Technician equate to approximately $39,500. The salary range for Piano Tuner-Technicians runs from $22,000 to $109,000.

Piano Techs earn set fees per tuning, with the general fee ranging from between $100 to $185.

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Career Outlook

Piano Technicians mostly work during standard business hours, although if there are emergencies at a venue or concert hall, a Tech could find him or herself working late. For the most part, though, they get to set their own hours. “This is most often a self-employed profession,” Loyd says. “So if you like working independently and being your own boss, this is a good field.”

Career Path

Since the majority of Piano Technicians are freelancers, advancement comes as the Tech begins working regularly with more prestigious and better-paying clients.

To land a job as a Piano Technician, Loyd says, “Your ambition and willingness to learn is essential. Apprenticeship is the best and most common, way to get started.” After a successful apprenticeship, a Piano Tech can build on the connections they’ve made and then strike out on their own.

  • Have a working musical knowledge of the piano. Take lessons.
  • Learn the basic woodworking skills needed to make repairs.
  • Research apprenticeship and/or training programs and find an experienced Piano Tech to mentor you.

Experience & Skills

In addition to musical skills, Loyd says, “Woodworking and musicianship are things I would say are good skills for a Piano Technician. Nearly the entire piano is contracted of wood; therefore, woodworking is an essential skill in repairing and building pianos. Piano tuning does not require perfect pitch, but it helps to have a musical ear when tuning by ear.”

Like many Piano Technicians, Loyd grew up with the instrument. He says, “I have played piano since I was a child, and work professionally as a musician and piano player/keyboardist. For me, I have been familiar with pianos all my life; the function and adjustment of the instrument were a natural curiosity for me.

“I lived and worked in New York City for nearly ten years. During that time I worked for a Piano Rebuilder as a full-time job for nearly two years. This was the foundation of my understanding pianos from a technical understanding.

“As a professional musician, I have toured with country artists, pop artists, and rock ‘n’ roll bands and continue to do so. That’s a whole other subject, though.”

Because of all the years of technical training required to become a Tech, anyone who aspires to the profession must be passionate about it. Loyd adds, “Anyone that enjoys music, repairing instruments and improving the overall quality and function of things will enjoy the piano technology field.”

Education & Training

Loyd says, “Becoming a Piano Technician involves extensive training and experience. Often, it would involve apprenticeship of some kind, then working in the field for years on hundreds to thousands of pianos.

“Only through repetition and continuing education throughout a Piano Technician’s career, (which will include learning from older, more experienced Technicians) can he/she learn the mastery of this trade. There is formal educational training available as well. The Piano Technicians Guild is a good resource for what is currently available.”

Additional Resources

“The Piano Technicians Guild is the only accredited organization in the industry of piano technology,” Loyd says. Membership in the guild means that a Tech has the necessary experience and education to be hired.

FAQ

What is the single biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career?

“You must be willing and able to learn, try, fail, and ultimately succeed. Only through experience and practice can you gain knowledge.”

What’s the #1 mistake people make when trying to get into this career?

“Thinking they know everything!”

What is one thing I should have asked which I didn’t?

“There is a difference between a “Piano Tuner” and “Piano Technician.” Piano Tuners can do one thing: tune a piano. Piano Technicians address the entire functionality of pianos, and their many different designs and makes, throughout the world. It’s important to make the distinction between the two.

“Anyone with a designated “RPT” (Registered Piano Technician) has passed a series of examinations meeting a minimum standard of proficiency in the field of piano technology. I am currently undergoing this testing right now after ten years of working in the field. See more information on [the] Piano Technicians Guild website.”

If you could describe in one word what makes you successful, what would it be?

“Willingness to learn new skills and further your knowledge is a must. Many Technicians say they are still learning after over 35 years (or more) working on pianos. Also, willingness to adapt and change as technology, and therefore the piano industry, advances into the future.”

Extra Credit: Beatles or Rolling Stones?

“I am a Libra so I cannot pick between the two. I never have been one for ‘favorites.’ They’re two totally different animals. The Stones are all rock ‘n’ roll…reckless. The best sounding bar band you’ll ever hear. The Beatles–more intellect and ‘craftiness.’ In the end, both bands are pure genius, and I love them both.”

jon-loyd
Jon Loyd

Jon Loyd is a Nashville-based Piano Technician with the company Piano Tuning of Nashville. He is an associate member of the Piano Technicians Guild.

Loyd is a Songwriter, vocalist, and keyboard player with the band Cordovas. As a musician, he has performed with Chris Barron (Spin Doctors), Gavin DeGraw, Jimmy Wayne, Steel Magnolia, Chris Young, Meghan Linsey, Sandra Bernhard, John Popper, and Mike Gordon, among others.

  1. 1Multiple. "Average Piano Tuner Salary". PayScale. published: Oct 27, 2019. retrieved on: Dec 18, 2019
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