What to Expect at Your First Piano Appointment
When I walk through your door for the first time, my main goal is to get to know both you and your instrument. Every piano is complex, and every player has different needs.
Here’s how your first appointment will look, from the initial assessment to the final note.
Step 1: The Questionnaire and Assessment
Before I even open my toolkit, I gather information to decide on the best approach for your piano.
To give me an idea of what performance level you need the instrument to work at, I will likely ask you a few questions:
What do you use the piano for?
Do you simply play for your own enjoyment?
How advanced are the players in the house?
Do you have children taking lessons?
Are you a piano teacher or professional musician?
How you can prepare: It’s helpful to know when the piano was last tuned, and if there are any specific issues, like sticky keys, you’d like addressed.
Once we chat, I will assess the piano, let you know what I find, and share my recommendations.
Step 2: Choosing Your Approach
If my assessment reveals work that goes beyond a basic tuning, we will discuss your options and the costs involved upfront.
Ultimately, you get to choose the direction we take. You can decide whether you just want the piano to work or whether you want to invest in bringing the instrument closer to its full potential.
Step 3: Getting to Work
A typical initial appointment takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. If I’ve been tuning your piano regularly in the past, it can take less time.
While I do the work, you have a couple of options:
Watch the process: You and your family members are more than welcome to watch if you are curious about what goes on inside the case!
Go about your day: You can simply leave me to it, and I will let you know when I’m finished.
Note: It is highly beneficial if you are there for the initial appointment, so I can meet you and physically show you what I find inside your piano. For future appointments, you don't need to be present… some clients book when they aren't even home! As long as I can contact you with questions, you are free to come and go.
The Finish Line: Wrap-Up and Payment
Payment happens at the very end of the appointment.
Before I leave, I’ll let you know how the session went and what I recommend for further maintenance. If there is extra work that couldn't be completed in that first timeframe, I will suggest a follow-up appointment.
Typically, I recommend tuning every 6 months or yearly, though depending on your specific situation, it may be sooner or less frequent.
