Floating Piano Factory Chicago — 4 SEO Blog Posts
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TITLE: How Often Should You Tune Your Piano in Chicago? SLUG: how-often-should-you-tune-your-piano-chicago META: Chicago’s extreme humidity swings demand more from your piano. Here’s how often to tune — and what happens when you skip.
How Often Should You Tune Your Piano in Chicago?
By Eathan Janney, Founder, Floating Piano Factory
If you’ve ever wondered whether Chicago is harder on pianos than other cities, the answer is yes — and it’s not even close.
I’ve been tuning pianos professionally since 2000, and I’ve worked in a lot of different environments. But Chicago’s climate is genuinely one of the most demanding I’ve encountered for instrument stability. The lake effect, the swings between brutal winters and humid summers, the way a well-heated apartment in February can drop to 15% relative humidity — these aren’t minor variables. They’re the difference between a piano that holds its pitch and one that drifts noticeably within weeks of being tuned.
Here’s what every Chicago piano owner should understand.
The Standard Recommendation — And Why Chicago Raises the Bar
The Piano Technicians Guild recommends tuning your piano at least twice per year. That’s a reasonable baseline for most climates. In Chicago, I consider it the minimum — and for many instruments and living situations, I’d recommend three or four times annually.
The reason comes down to one thing: humidity.
Piano strings are steel. They expand and contract with temperature. But the soundboard — the large wooden panel that amplifies your piano’s tone — responds primarily to moisture. When humidity rises, the soundboard swells slightly, which increases string tension and causes the pitch to rise. When humidity drops, the soundboard contracts, tension falls, and the pitch drops.
Chicago puts your piano through both extremes, often within the same calendar year.
What Chicago’s Seasons Actually Do to Your Piano
Winter is the harshest season for pianos in Chicago. Forced-air heating systems — common in apartments and older homes — strip moisture from indoor air aggressively. I’ve measured relative humidity below 20% inside Chicago homes in January. At those levels, soundboards can crack, glue joints can loosen, and pitch drops significantly. If your piano was tuned in October, it may be noticeably flat by February.
Spring brings rapid change. As outdoor temperatures climb and humidity rises, pianos that dried out all winter begin to absorb moisture again. This is often when I see the most pitch instability — the instrument is essentially recalibrating. A spring tuning is almost always necessary.
Summer in Chicago is warm and humid, especially near the lake. High humidity causes the soundboard to swell. Pianos can go sharp. In poorly climate-controlled spaces, this effect is pronounced.
Fall is, in my experience, the best time to tune a piano in Chicago. Humidity is moderate, temperatures are stable, and you’re setting the instrument up before the heating season begins. A fall tuning is the one I’d prioritize if you’re only doing one per year.
What Happens When You Skip Tunings
Skipping tunings doesn’t just mean your piano sounds slightly off. Over time, it means:
- Pitch drop becomes cumulative. A piano that hasn’t been tuned in two or three years may require a pitch raise — a rougher, more expensive procedure — before a standard tuning is even possible.
- The instrument becomes harder to tune accurately. When strings have been at low tension for a long time, they don’t settle as cleanly after adjustment.
- You stop hearing what your piano is capable of. A well-tuned piano sounds dramatically better than a neglected one. Musicians sometimes don’t realize how much they’ve been compensating until they hear the difference.
I’ve tuned pianos in Chicago that hadn’t been touched in five or six years. The work is doable, but the recovery process is longer and the cost is higher than regular maintenance would have been.
My Recommendation for Chicago Piano Owners
- Minimum: Two tunings per year — fall and late spring.
- Recommended for active players or sensitive instruments: Three times per year — fall, late winter, and late spring.
- For performance instruments or pianos in variable environments: Four times per year, or as needed.
If you’re a serious player, a teacher, or you own a fine instrument, regular tuning isn’t a luxury — it’s basic stewardship.
Our Floating Piano Factory membership plans are designed around exactly this: predictable, twice-yearly tuning care with priority scheduling and no guesswork. If you’d rather not think about it, membership is the simplest solution.
Ready to schedule your Chicago tuning? Book your appointment here.
TITLE: Grand Piano vs. Upright Piano: Which Needs More Tuning Care in Chicago? SLUG: grand-piano-vs-upright-piano-tuning-care-chicago META: Grand and upright pianos respond differently to Chicago’s climate. Here’s what your specific instrument actually needs — from a technician who’s tuned both.
Grand Piano vs. Upright Piano: Which Needs More Tuning Care in Chicago?
By Eathan Janney, Founder, Floating Piano Factory
One of the most common questions I get from Chicago piano owners is some version of: “I have a [grand / upright] — is that harder to maintain?”
The honest answer is that both instrument types need regular care, but they respond to Chicago’s climate in meaningfully different ways. Understanding those differences helps you make smarter decisions about tuning frequency, placement, and long-term care.
Let me walk you through what I actually observe when I’m working on these instruments in Chicago homes, studios, and institutions.
The Core Difference: Scale, Soundboard, and String Length
The fundamental acoustic difference between a grand and an upright is geometry.
In a grand piano, the strings run horizontally, the soundboard lies flat beneath them, and the instrument’s scale — the engineering of string lengths relative to pitch — can be developed more fully because the cabinet has more room. A 9-foot concert grand has bass strings that are genuinely long, which produces rich, complex tone.
In an upright piano, the strings run vertically. The soundboard stands behind the strings. The overall scale is compressed to fit a vertical cabinet, which means string lengths — especially in the bass — are shorter than in a comparable grand.
Why does this matter for tuning and care? Because larger soundboards and longer strings are more sensitive to humidity changes, but they also have more mass to absorb and stabilize those changes. Smaller instruments can react more abruptly.
How Grand Pianos Behave in Chicago
Grand pianos — especially quality instruments — tend to be more responsive to humidity fluctuations because their soundboards are larger. In a Chicago winter, a grand piano’s soundboard can lose significant moisture, causing noticeable pitch drop. In summer, the reverse.
The good news: a well-made grand piano, properly maintained, also tends to hold a tuning more stably once it’s been set. The longer strings have more mass, and after a careful tuning they settle well.
What I recommend for grand piano owners in Chicago:
- Minimum two tunings per year, ideally three.
- A humidity control system (such as a Dampp-Chaser Piano Life Saver) installed inside the cabinet. This is one of the most effective investments you can make for a grand piano in Chicago.
- Placement away from heating vents, exterior walls, and direct sunlight.
- Fall tuning before heating season begins. This is non-negotiable for a quality grand.
How Upright Pianos Behave in Chicago
Upright pianos are often more forgiving of neglect — but that doesn’t mean they don’t need care. It means the consequences of skipping tunings accumulate more quietly.
The shorter string scale in many uprights means pitch can drift without the player noticing as dramatically. But the instrument is still drifting. And uprights placed against exterior walls — which is common in Chicago apartments — are exposed to more temperature variation than instruments in interior positions.
Older uprights, which are common in Chicago given the city’s deep stock of pre-war housing, often have more variable tuning stability because of age, previous neglect, or pin block wear.
What I recommend for upright piano owners in Chicago:
- Two tunings per year, consistently.
- Interior wall placement if possible — away from windows and exterior-facing walls.
- If the piano is older or hasn’t been tuned in several years, expect a pitch raise before a standard tuning is possible.
- Don’t assume a quiet piano is a stable piano. Uprights can drift significantly without sounding dramatically wrong until the drift is substantial.
The Question of Service Tier
Both grand and upright pianos can benefit from different levels of service depending on their condition, the owner’s standards, and how the instrument is used.
At Floating Piano Factory, our Essential Care appointment ($150) is appropriate for well-maintained instruments — uprights and smaller grands that are tuned regularly and don’t require extended work.
Our Signature Care ($275) is designed for instruments that deserve more detailed attention: quality grands, active teaching instruments, pianos that are used seriously and need precise regulation of touch and tone in addition to tuning.
Premier Care ($395) is for exceptional instruments, performance preparation, or situations where a thorough evaluation and extended technical attention is warranted.
The instrument type matters — but so does its history, condition, and what you need from it.
Curious which service level is right for your piano? Book a Chicago appointment and we’ll assess it together.
TITLE: What to Expect From Your First Piano Tuning Appointment SLUG: what-to-expect-first-piano-tuning-appointment-chicago META: Not sure what a piano tuning actually involves? Here’s exactly what happens, how long it takes, and how to get the most from your appointment.
What to Expect From Your First Piano Tuning Appointment
By Eathan Janney, Founder, Floating Piano Factory
A lot of people who contact us have never had their piano tuned before — or it’s been so long that they’re not sure what to expect. That uncertainty is one of the reasons people put it off.
I want to demystify the process completely. Here’s exactly what happens during a piano tuning appointment, from the moment I arrive to the moment I leave, and what you can do to make it go as smoothly as possible.
Before I Arrive: What You Don’t Need to Do
First, let me tell you what you don’t need to do: nothing special. You don’t need to clean the piano, prepare any materials, or know anything technical about your instrument. If you have questions, bring them — I’m happy to talk through whatever is on your mind.
The one thing that genuinely helps is making sure the room is reasonably quiet during the appointment. Piano tuning requires careful listening. A television in the background, a loud HVAC system, or a dog barking in the same room makes precision work harder. It doesn’t have to be silent, but quieter is better.
Also: room temperature matters. If your apartment has been cold and you’re expecting me at noon, turning the heat on an hour before helps the instrument settle to its normal environment before I begin.
The First Few Minutes: Assessment
When I arrive, the first thing I do is play through the piano. Not a performance — a systematic check. I’m listening for overall pitch level, stability, any obvious mechanical problems (sticking keys, buzzing strings, broken hammers), and the general condition of the instrument.
This assessment takes three to five minutes and tells me a great deal. It determines whether we’re doing a standard tuning or whether a pitch raise is needed first. It also gives me a sense of the instrument’s character — how it responds, what it needs, what’s possible in this appointment.
If there are issues beyond tuning — regulation problems, voicing needs, minor repairs — I’ll note them and discuss them with you. I won’t do work beyond the agreed scope without talking to you first.
The Tuning Itself: What’s Actually Happening
Piano tuning involves adjusting the tension of 220-plus strings to bring every note into precise mathematical relationship with every other note. It’s done using a tuning hammer (a specialized wrench) and, increasingly, electronic tuning devices that assist with precision — though experienced technicians develop a strong aural sense for this work over years of practice.
A standard tuning on a well-maintained piano takes 60 to 90 minutes. If a pitch raise is needed — meaning the piano is significantly flat and needs to be brought up in tension before fine tuning — add another 20 to 45 minutes.
During the tuning, I’ll work systematically through the piano. It’s not unusual for me to be quiet for extended periods. This is normal. I’m listening carefully.
Understanding the Service Tiers
The difference between our service tiers isn’t about who does the work — it’s about the depth of the appointment.
Essential Care ($150) is a thorough, professional tuning with a basic condition check and care recommendations. It’s the right choice for a well-maintained piano that’s tuned regularly.
Signature Care ($275) includes more detailed assessment of touch and tone, minor adjustments where practical (such as small regulation tweaks or minor voicing), and a more thorough care plan conversation. It’s designed for serious players and instruments that deserve more refined attention.
Premier Care ($395) is our most comprehensive appointment — extended technical attention, deeper evaluation, advanced tuning refinement, and priority care planning. It’s appropriate for fine instruments, performance preparation, or clients who want the most thorough service available.
If you’re not sure which tier fits your situation, book Essential Care and we’ll talk through what makes sense for your instrument going forward.
After the Appointment: What You’ll Receive
Before I leave, I’ll walk you through what I found, what I did, and what I recommend for the future. This isn’t a sales pitch — it’s practical information about your instrument’s condition.
You’ll receive:
- A summary of the work completed
- Notes on any issues observed (even if not addressed in this appointment)
- A recommendation for tuning frequency based on your piano, your environment, and how you use it
- Information about membership options if ongoing care makes sense for you
A freshly tuned piano sounds noticeably different. Play it after I leave. Let it settle for a day or two. If something sounds off, reach out — I stand behind my work.
Ready to book your first Chicago appointment? Schedule here.
TITLE: Piano Care in Chicago: A Seasonal Guide SLUG: piano-care-chicago-seasonal-guide META: Chicago’s seasons are hard on pianos. This month-by-month guide tells you exactly what your instrument needs — and when — to stay stable all year.
Piano Care in Chicago: A Seasonal Guide
By Eathan Janney, Founder, Floating Piano Factory
Chicago is a city of extremes. Anyone who’s lived here knows what it means to go from a January wind chill of -20°F to a July afternoon at 95°F with lake humidity. Those extremes are dramatic for humans. For pianos, they’re a serious ongoing challenge.
I’ve been caring for pianos in this city for years, and the seasonal rhythm of piano care here is something I think about constantly. This guide is my honest, practical advice for Chicago piano owners — organized by season — so you know exactly what your instrument needs and when.
Fall (September – November): The Most Important Season
If I had to choose one season to focus on for piano care in Chicago, it would be fall — specifically October and early November.
Here’s why: fall is the last window of moderate, stable humidity before the heating season begins. Once you turn on forced-air heat, indoor humidity drops fast and stays low for months. A piano tuned in October, before that drying process begins, starts the winter in the best possible position.
What to do in fall:
- Schedule your fall tuning in October. This is the single most important piano care appointment of the year in Chicago.
- Check your humidity levels. Get an inexpensive hygrometer and place it near your piano. Target 45–55% relative humidity. If you’re already below 40% in October, that’s a sign your heating system is aggressive.
- Consider a humidifier. Either a room humidifier near the piano or, better, a piano-specific humidity control system installed inside the cabinet (the Piano Life Saver system by Dampp-Chaser is the industry standard).
- Move the piano away from heating vents if it isn’t already. This is the time to address placement before the heat comes on.
Winter (December – February): Active Protection
Chicago winters are brutal for pianos. Forced-air heating is the primary culprit. In many Chicago apartments and older homes, indoor humidity in January drops to 15–25%. At those levels, wood contracts, glue joints stress, and pitch drops noticeably.
What to watch for in winter:
- Pitch drop. Your piano will likely go flat during winter. This is normal and expected. It doesn’t mean something is wrong — it means Chicago is doing what Chicago does.
- Cracking sounds. If you hear small cracking or popping from the piano in winter, this can indicate the soundboard or other wooden components are drying too rapidly. It’s worth a call to your technician.
- Stiff or sluggish action. Cold, dry conditions can affect the felt and leather components of the piano action. Keys may feel heavier or less responsive.
What to do in winter:
- Run a humidifier. This is the single most effective thing you can do. Keeping humidity above 35% significantly reduces pitch drift and protects the instrument.
- Don’t tune in the middle of winter unless necessary. A piano tuned in January in a very dry room will drift again quickly. If you need a winter tuning (for a performance, for example), schedule it as close to the event as possible.
- Keep the piano away from heating sources. A vent blowing directly on a piano is one of the fastest ways to damage it.
Spring (March – May): Recovery and Recalibration
Spring in Chicago is unpredictable — warm days, cold nights, rain, and humidity that starts climbing. For pianos, spring is a season of recovery. The instrument has been through months of dry heat and is now absorbing moisture again.
What happens to your piano in spring:
- Pitch rises as humidity increases and the soundboard swells slightly.
- The action may feel different — sometimes slightly heavier as felt components absorb moisture.
- Tuning instability is common in early spring, as the piano is essentially adjusting to a new equilibrium.
What to do in spring:
- Schedule a late spring tuning — late April or May, after the heating season is fully over and humidity has stabilized somewhat. This is your second annual tuning.
- If your piano went through a very dry winter, it may need a pitch raise before a standard tuning. Don’t be surprised if your technician mentions this — it’s not a problem, just a reality of Chicago winters.
- Reassess humidity control. If you ran a humidifier all winter, spring is a good time to evaluate whether it worked. Check your hygrometer readings from the past few months.
Summer (June – August): Humidity Management
Chicago summers are warm and humid, especially near the lake. For pianos, this means the opposite problem from winter: too much moisture rather than too little.
What happens in summer:
- Pitch rises as soundboard moisture content increases.
- Keys can feel slightly different — sluggish in very high humidity.
- In poorly air-conditioned spaces, high humidity can cause swelling, sluggish action, and tuning instability.
What to do in summer:
- Keep air conditioning running in the room where the piano lives. This controls both temperature and humidity.
- Avoid placing the piano near open windows during humid summer days.
- If your space lacks air conditioning, a dehumidifier near the piano helps.
- Summer is generally not an ideal tuning time unless your environment is well climate-controlled. If you have central air and your home stays at a consistent 68–72°F, summer tunings hold well. If your space fluctuates significantly, wait for fall.
The Annual Rhythm: A Simple Summary
| Season | Priority Action |
|---|---|
| Fall (Oct) | Annual tuning — most important appointment of the year |
| Winter | Run humidifier, protect from heat vents, monitor pitch |
| Spring (Apr–May) | Second annual tuning, post-heating season recovery |
| Summer | Climate control, humidity management, minimize fluctuation |
Membership Makes This Easier
The seasonal rhythm I’ve described — two tunings per year, humidity monitoring, proactive care — is exactly what our membership plans are built around.
Our Essential Membership ($19/month) includes two annual tunings and priority scheduling, so you’re never scrambling to get on the calendar before heating season begins. Our Signature and Premier memberships add additional visits, consultations, and priority access.
If you’d rather not think about when to schedule — just know it’s handled — membership is the simplest answer.
Questions about your piano’s condition or care? Book a Chicago appointment and let’s take a look together.