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Do you have perfect pitch? A passion for playing the piano yourself? Or perhaps you want to help musicians achieve soaring heights on their instruments? Whether you’re a virtuosic picker or a melophile looking for their own role in the vast music industry, piano tuning can be a rewarding job.
Beyond your personal motivation, tunings are usually priced at $90-$180, which can make piano tuning a lucrative profession or side-hustle.1
So how do you get started as a piano tech who tunes pianos for perfect pitch?
In this short guide, we’ll conduct our own bagatelle on the art of creating a successful piano tuning business. Here’s how to become a piano tuner.
It might seem romantic to work in the arts alongside talented musicians. However, before you go buying a baby grand to practice your skills, it’s important to get an understanding of what the job actually entails. It requires a specific skill set and understanding of piano types such as a grand piano, upright pianos, and electronic pianos.
Once you’re sure you’ve got the skills to succeed, get ready to buy the right instruments for the job.
You don’t need a piano to get started tuning—but you need access to a piano. Does a friend or family member have a spinet in their salon or a baby grand lurking in their garage? Great!
The tools you need to tune it include:
Some kits will come equipped with a how-to guide. This guide will explain the basics when it comes to using a tuning hammer, tuning fork, or other electronic tuning device. If your loved one trusts you to wheedle away at their precious instrument, have at it!
However, keep in mind that most successful piano tuners undergo apprenticeships or training before taking their skills on the road. Obtaining training and certification can also help you convey professionalism to your potential clients.
How can you learn to tune?
If you know a master piano tuner, you could always ask to complete an apprenticeship. Likewise, some music schools and colleges may offer classes to piano students looking to better understand the instruments they play. Working with a piano string and understanding sound is best learned through a teacher or certified piano technician.
However, there are several bodies that specifically license piano technicians. The Piano Technician Academy licenses Certified Piano Tuners (CPTS), while the Piano Technicians Guild allows members to apply as Registered Piano Technicians (RPTs).
The Piano Technician Academy conducts a tuning course that includes:
These can help you acquire the basic training you’ll need to successfully tune pianos.
While the Piano Technicians Guild does not offer courses, they link to a variety of educational resources.2 A self-taught tuner can take several exams on piano design, theory, and repair to apply for RPT certification.
Once you’ve developed the skills to make any instrument sing, it’s time to start promoting your business.
The next step as a piano tuner is getting word out there about your business. Consider taking the following steps:
Be sure your marketing reflects any speciality certificates you’ve sought out in order to bring your business more legitimacy.
If you’re only getting a few jobs at first, forming a legal business entity might not be the first thing on your mind. However, as a self-employed individual, you’ll need to report your income and pay taxes on it.
Two options for freelancers include:
Like all professionals, you take on risk in the course of doing business.
What could go wrong while tuning a piano? Consider the following:
That’s why piano tuners need insurance.
Here at Thimble, our general liability insurance is to provide the investigation, defense, and settlement for the third-party claims stemming from:
With Thimble, it’s easy to take out a policy that suits your specific needs. Only need insurance for a couple of upcoming projects? Take out insurance by the hour, day, or month. That way, you only pay for insurance when you need it. Signing up can be done in less than 60 seconds.
Just click “Get a Quote” or download the Thimble mobile app to get started.
While your keen musical sense is key to your success as a piano tuner, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to succeed in Mozart’s jungle.
To become a piano tuner:
Then, stay sharp and make sure your clients’ pianos don’t!
With a little patience and some dedication, you’ll have a successful career making music sound just that much sweeter.
Sources:
Our editorial content is intended for informational purposes only and is not written by a licensed insurance agent. Terms and conditions for rate and coverage may vary by class of business and state.
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