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Piano Pages
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Why does a piano need to be tuned?
The piano is an instrument with well over 200 tensioned strings (whose total tension on a large grand might be around 20 tonnes). A tiny variation to the speaking length or tension on any string will cause a relatively large change to the tuning condition. Such small changes are easily introduced through changes of temperature and humidity.
Also, such a structural system will be subject to physical 'movement' within itself, as the inherent forces (which are large) try to maintain equilibrium. Small shock forces are constantly acting on the most sensitive part of the structure - the strings - all the time the piano is being played.
Every musical instrument with tensioned strings needs tuning, and the piano is no exception.
Most violins have to be tuned every time they are taken out of their case, and several times whilst playing. It is a truly remarkable achievement of design, that a piano can stay even reasonably in tune for a period as long as six months !
