Summary
A good piano tuner keeps your piano sounding its best and protects its value. A poor one can loosen tuning pins, break strings or miss problems that get more expensive over time. Before you book anyone, use the guide below to check you are in safe hands.
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Questions to ask before you book
- Where did you train? A properly trained tuner has served an apprenticeship of about three years, followed by practical experience.
- How long have you been tuning? Experience matters most with older pianos and pitch raises.
- Can you give me references? Schools, churches, music teachers and studios are good signs.
- What does the price include? Ask whether a pitch raise, broken strings or small adjustments cost extra.
- Do you also repair and regulate pianos? A technician who can spot and fix problems saves you a second call-out.
Warning signs to watch out for
- A full tuning finished in well under an hour. A regular tuning usually takes about 1.5 hours.
- A price that is far below the going rate, with extras added afterwards.
- Pressure to agree to expensive repairs on the spot.
- No clear answer about training or experience.
- Tuning by ear or app alone, with no explanation of the piano’s condition afterwards.
What a proper tuning should include
- Checking the piano’s overall pitch, and a pitch raise first if it has dropped a long way.
- Tuning every string of every note, not just the middle of the keyboard.
- A check of the keys, hammers and pedals for anything sticking, clicking or worn.
- Honest advice on the piano’s condition and anything that needs attention soon.
How often should a piano be tuned?
Manufacturers recommend tuning twice a year. Cape Town’s changes in humidity between seasons pull pianos out of tune, so regular tuning keeps the pitch stable and makes each tuning quicker and cheaper. A piano should also be tuned a few weeks after it has been moved. Read more about piano tuning.
What does piano tuning cost in Cape Town?
In 2026 a regular tuning costs R1,200 in the Southern Suburbs and R1,250 in the Northern Suburbs. A pitch raise, for pianos that haven’t been tuned regularly, costs R1,500 or R1,600. See the full price list.
Why Cape Town piano owners choose Keith
I’m Keith Macfarlane. I was trained in Durban, Vienna and Switzerland, and have looked after pianos professionally for most of my life, from family uprights to concert grands. I have been caring for pianos for over 60 years, more than 20 of them in Cape Town, and I always explain what your piano needs in plain language.