Question 1

How often should I have my piano tuned?

Accepted Answer

Most pianos should be tuned at least twice a year — once in the fall when the heat comes on and once in the spring when humidity rises. Pianos in schools, churches, or performance venues may need tuning 3–4 times per year. New pianos and recently moved pianos often need more frequent tuning as the strings stretch and settle.

Question 2

How much does piano tuning cost in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

A standard piano tuning with Hussey Piano Tuning is $150. If your piano is significantly below pitch and requires a pitch raise before fine-tuning, the cost is $250. Pitch raises are common for pianos that haven't been tuned in several years.

Question 3

What is a pitch raise and does my piano need one?

Accepted Answer

A pitch raise is an initial rough tuning pass used to bring a piano's overall pitch up close to A440 (standard concert pitch) before fine-tuning can begin. If a piano has gone more than 1–2 years without tuning, or if it sounds very flat, it likely needs a pitch raise. Quinn will assess this at the appointment.

Question 4

How long does piano tuning take?

Accepted Answer

A standard tuning appointment takes approximately 60–90 minutes. A pitch raise followed by a fine tuning takes about 90–120 minutes. Quinn works methodically through all 88 notes to ensure every string is precisely at pitch.

Question 5

Do you tune pianos in Mattoon, Effingham, and other nearby cities?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Hussey Piano Tuning serves Charleston and a wide surrounding area including Mattoon, Effingham, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Terre Haute (IN), and more — generally within a 60-mile radius of Charleston, IL. Travel fees may apply for locations beyond 30 miles.

Question 6

Are you a certified piano technician?

Accepted Answer

Quinn Hussey is a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) candidate with the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG), with formal training and hands-on experience tuning over 100 pianos. He uses professional-grade electronic tuning devices and traditional aural tuning techniques.

Question 7

Can you tune an upright piano as well as a grand piano?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Hussey Piano Tuning services all types of pianos including upright pianos, studio pianos, console pianos, spinet pianos, baby grands, and full grand pianos. The tuning process is similar for all types, though grand pianos may take slightly longer.

Question 8

My piano hasn't been tuned in years. Is it too late to tune it?

Accepted Answer

It's almost never too late to tune a piano. Even pianos that haven't been tuned in 10–20 years can usually be brought back to pitch, though they may require multiple pitch raise sessions over several months to stabilize. Quinn will give you an honest assessment at the appointment.

Question 9

Do you offer services other than tuning?

Accepted Answer

Hussey Piano Tuning specializes exclusively in piano tuning and pitch raises. Quinn's focused expertise in tuning means every appointment gets his full attention on getting your piano sounding its best. For repairs, regulation, or restoration work, he can refer you to trusted specialists in the area.

Question 10

How do I book a piano tuning appointment?

Accepted Answer

You can book online 24/7 at husseypianotuning.com, call or text Quinn directly at (217) 549-2399, or email qmhussey@me.com. Appointments are available 7 days a week, 9 AM–5 PM.

Piano Tuning Questions, Answered