Owning an instrument comes with the responsibility of having it maintained. If you don’t know how to take good care of the instrument, it will likely end up damaged and destroyed.
So if you’re looking for the best piano tuning in Edmonton, we’re here to give you a list of whom to call. You’ll be able to have your piano tuned in no time and you can start playing your favorite pieces once again.
In addition to helping you find a tuner in your area, we’ll give you detailed information on how much these services typically cost. With this information, you’ll know how to prepare for your piano maintenance.
How Much Does Piano Tuning Cost in Edmonton?
The price of tuning a piano typically ranges from $81 to $281. If the piano needs multiple tuning sessions or in-depth repairs, that price can increase too.
One thing to note, though, is that there are piano tuners who charge by the hour. This is particularly true if your piano is severely out of tune.
Before tuning the piano, a technician may have to adjust its strings. In some cases, you might need to have the piano completely repaired beforehand.
Some problems include encountering a damaged soundboard, loose tuning pins, or old strings. A credible technician knows that he needs to correct these things before he can tune your instrument.
At any rate, here are some estimates for piano tuning services in Edmonton. Note that actual prices may vary.
SERVICE | COST |
Piano Tuning | $150 |
Pitch Corrections | $25 to 50 |
Repairs Only (Base charge for the first hour) | $80 |
Repairs Only (Additional Hour) | $40/hour |
The Best Piano Tuning Services in Edmonton
Now that you have an idea of how much piano tuning typically costs, you can start looking at the different technicians available in your area.
You can check out these options below and see what their services are:
1. Joshua Switzer-Crowe
PRODUCTS | Piano Tuning, Piano Repair, Piano Appraisals, Pre-Purchase Inspections, Piano Regulation, Voicing of the Piano, Restoration of the Piano, Keytop Replacement, Keybed Rebuilding, Re-Stringing and Repinning |
WEBSITE | https://www.edmontonpianotuning.ca/ |
ADDRESS | 18511 80 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5T 1E8 |
CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (780) 913-4173 Email: [email protected] |
OPERATING HOURS | By appointment: Mondays to Fridays: 9:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM Saturdays: 10:00 AM Evenings are available but will be charged extra |
Joshua Switzer-Crowe is the man behind Edmonton Piano Tuning. He has been working as a piano tuner for over ten years.
Switzer-Crowe earned a degree in Jazz Performance from the St. Francis Xavier University and two diplomas from the Grant MacEwan University for Jazz Performance and Composition. He is also a member of the Canadian Association of Piano Technicians.
Some of his clients include the University of Alberta, The Shaw Conference Centre, The Sutton Place Hotel, Beulah Alliance Church, Grace Point Lutheran Church, and many more. He is even regularly commissioned to tune the pianos being used at high-profile concerts of Live Nation Canada.
Apart from running the Edmonton Piano Tuner, Switzer-Crowe performed on Holland America Cruise Lines with his trio. They have also performed throughout Canada.
In his free time, he gets together with other piano technicians in the country to share knowledge on the latest developments in the industry.
All of this tells you just how highly regarded this man is in the field. We certainly found no shortage of testimonials to that effect, so it’s unsurprising that he made our list.
However, do note that Switzer-Crowe’s regular rates only apply to the areas of Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Stony Plain, Devon, Spruce Grove, Beaumont, and Leduc. Mileage rates are applicable for areas outside these locations.
Pros
- Open for emergency calls (billed extra)
- Accepts residential and commercial clients
- Transparent with pricing
- Accepts cheque, cash, Interac, email money transfer, Bitcoin, Litecoin
Cons
- By appointment only
- Mileage charge for rural tunings
- Has a minimum $95 charge plus hourly rate
Customer Reviews
As mentioned earlier, we found a wealth of compliments for him from his clients. Here are just a few of the testimonials:
“Josh is a very fine and solid piano tuner who does absolutely the best kind of work. He has taken the time with my piano to tune it within the realm of perfection. As a piano technician his work is first class and he is very conscientious as to getting the most out of any piano he works on. He is among the best piano tuners in the city.” – Charles Austin – Pianist & Educator, Grant MacEwan University – Retired
“The piano and I are still very very very happy with all the TLC you provided!” – Tina P.
“Thanks for taking the extra time to help me find the right piano!!” – Brendan Barkwell, Owner of Brendan Barkwell Music
“I thought you really did a good job last year – Ferbert (I name my pianos – eep!) played like a dream all last year! I imagine that moving will change his tune a little, so it would be great to have you take a look at him after he is in place again.” – Emily M.
2. Daniel’s Piano Service LTD
PRODUCTS | Tuning, Basic Repairs, Major Action Overhauls, Upright and Grand Action Regulation and Adjustment, Hammer Shaping and Voicing, Keytop and Parts Replacement, Assessments and Appraisals |
WEBSITE | https://www.danpiano.com/ |
ADDRESS | 216-11007 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB T5K 0K6 |
CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (780) 476-3350 Email: [email protected] |
OPERATING HOURS | By appointment only |
One of the best piano tuning providers in Edmontonis Daniel’s Piano Service LTD. They have been servicing the Greater Edmonton Area for 40 years.
Their decades of experience makes them a trusted technician, especially with return customers. Not only that but they aim to provide the most accurate piano appraisals possible based on previous customer reviews.
You might also be interested to know that Daniel’s Piano Service offers Piano Life Saver installation. This is an internal climate control system built to protect your piano against humidity.
And as a piano owner, this is definitely something you should be on the lookout for since it can destroy your piano. Daniel also offers piano parts in his online store.
Daniel has been invited to classes conducted by the head Piano Technicians of Yamaha. Apart from being a member of The Canadian Association of Piano Technicians, Daniel holds a Registered Piano Technician title with the Piano Technicians Guild.
He has been a member of the organization since 1984.
Pros
- Full range of piano services
- Over 40 years of service
- Works with most makes of pianos
- Can install piano climate control systems
Cons
- By appointment only
- Offers limited piano parts
- No pricing table on website
Customer Reviews
Here are a few of what their previous customers have to say about the quality of work provided:
“Thank you for an awesome job! The piano sounds softer and more even now. The others are happy and very thankful after tuning their pianos!” – Music teacher in Grande Prairie
“Thanks for coming today. It was nice to meet you and Nola really appreciated all the work you did on the piano. Her ears are happier now!”
“Thank-you for the years of excellent service. “–Elizabeth D.
3. Piano Action Inc.
PRODUCTS | Piano Tuning, Regulation, Voicing, All Repairs, Piano Appraisals, Rebuilding Grand Pianos |
WEBSITE | https://www.pianoaction.ca/ |
ADDRESS | 1064 Moyer Dr, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 1E6 |
CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (780) 467-6380 |
OPERATING HOURS | By appointment |
Bruce Bischoff does what he does best. And that is to offer quality piano tuning service the old school way: by ear.
With his experience as a concert technician since 1984, it’s no surprise that he is able to temper and train pianos to perform properly. He is also a member of the Canadian Association of Piano Technicians.
Aside from running Piano Action Inc., Bischoff is the head piano technician at MacEwan University, the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Timms Centre for the Arts, and The King’s University. He also works on pianos in churches, recording studios, and all kinds of institutions.
Bischoff specializes in rebuilding grand pianos. He can appraise a piano and offer estimates on how much it will cost for repair.
When he’s not working with pianos, Bischoff carefully handcrafts his own line of educational composer busts. He also has a children’s book called “The Piano Farm,” coming out soon.
If you’re looking for a piano tuner who is passionate about the work he does, you might want to check out Bischoff’s work experience.
Pros
- 24/7 service
- Specializes in aural tuning
- Services Edmonton and area
Cons
- By appointment
- No pricing information available on website
- Accepts cash and cheque only
4. Doctor Octave’s Piano Services
PRODUCTS | Piano Tuning, Regulating, Repairs, Appraisals, Purchase Consultations, Part Replacement, Dampp-Chaser Humidity Control System |
WEBSITE | https://www.doctoroctave.ca/ |
ADDRESS | 5604 55 Ave, Beaumont, AB T4X 147 |
CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (780) 929-9686, (780) 554-5711 Email: [email protected] |
OPERATING HOURS | Mondays to Fridays: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturdays and Evenings: By special appointment |
Mark L. Tolley is the man behind Doctor Octave’s Piano Services. He learned piano technology in 2004 while he studied at the University of Alberta.
At the same university, Tolley was able to complete a full apprenticeship under master technician Bruce Hettinger. He also got to work with Don’s Piano Place in St. Albert, where he was able to expand his knowledge.
In 2005, Tolley formed Doctor Octave’s Piano Services. A couple of years later, he became the primary person to take care of over 100 pianos in chapels for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across central and northern Alberta and British Columbia.
He also works with the Edmonton public schools, the University of Alberta, and Community Arts programs throughout Edmonton. Apart from commercial establishments, Tolley offers his piano tuning services to his residential customers.
His website contains a wealth of helpful information for all your piano tuning needs. They also have several different discounts available.
Pros
- Offers discounts and gift certificates
- Pricing information available on website
- Offers $20 referral discount
- Installs piano climate control system
Cons
- Mileage charges (outside Greater Edmonton)
- Payment options include cash, cheque, e-transfer, Visa, or MasterCard only
- Saturdays and evening appointments only by special arrangement
Customer Reviews
Check out what Tolley’s previous customers have to say about his work:
“Mark is a very diligent piano tuner, who gives great attention to detail and really goes above and beyond, to ensure that your piano is functioning at its fullest and finest. He gave my vintage 1950 piano as much attention and care one would expect a tuner to give a newer piano, without ever a dismissal about the worth of doing so. If a piano is important to you, no matter what state it is in when he first sees it, he makes it his mission to ensure you get the most that is possible out of your piano. The tuning job on my old piano was done perfectly and it holds its pitch very well, mostly due to the several adjustments he did to ensure this. The voicing and other work he performed on my piano was done with great care and professionalism. Mark is very generous with his time and his rate is also very competitive. As a professional musician of 25 years, I am extremely happy with his services.” – Martina, Edmonton
“I have had the privilege of having Mark tune our piano in my home, and as well at my church. Mark is a very courteous, respectful professional. He supports his training and knowledge with thoroughness and efficiency. He went the second mile for me by taking extra time and effort in answering many questions and concerns of a potential buyer. At that same time, he was very diligent in tuning my piano as perfectly as possible! Mark demonstrates his passion and pride by completing a job well.” – Lorna, Edmonton
5. Heritage Piano LTD.
PRODUCTS | Repairing, Refurbishing, Refinishing, Restoration |
WEBSITE | https://www.edmontonpianotuning.com/ |
ADDRESS | 2607-49 St, Edmonton, AB T6L 3W8 |
CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (780) 450-5677 Email: [email protected] |
OPERATING HOURS | Mondays to Fridays: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM |
To many, Greg Young is known as a perfectionist. And this exact quality is what drives him whenever he is tuning a piano.
Young believes that properly tuning a piano requires more than just a single pass over its strings. You have to be thorough and careful to produce favorable results.
He doesn’t only provide assistance in tuning a piano, he also takes time to give his customers some useful tips on how they can tune their instrument during the winter season. He is also known for offering great value at a competitive price, which makes his company one of the best piano tuning companies in Edmonton.
As an illustration of what makes him a value-for-money option, he does minor repairs and adjustments at no extra charge. This is just one reason many of his customers become loyal to him.
Apart from tuning pianos at residential properties, Young has several institutional customers. The list includes Alberta College, Cantilon Choirs, Pro-Coro Canada, Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Vanguard College, and many more.
Pros
- Reasonable rates
- Does not charge extra for minor repairs and adjustments
Cons
- No weekend appointments
- No pricing information on website
Customer Reviews
This is what Greg Young’s previous customers have to say about their experience with him:
“I had a dead key on my upright acoustic piano and spoke with Greg. He was absolutely amazing! I sent him photos of what was wrong and he helped me problem solve over the phone. I highly recommend this company for all your piano needs!” – Ashley Lamb
“Hello Greg and Priscilla! Thanks so much not only for keeping our piano in tune, but also teaching us how to ensure the piano stays in tune in the winter! Great service, great price. Can’t go wrong with heritage piano! Thanks guys!” – Cody T
“Tuned my late 1800’s Palmer. It sounds brilliant now!” – Cynthia Geria Ganga
“Greg took great care and paid close attention to detail when working to complete the restoration of my Nordheimer player-piano. The results are outstanding, so I can’t recommend Heritage Piano highly enough.” – Michael Deurloo
What You Need to Know About Your Piano
No matter how well you take care of your piano, its sound quality will change over time. This is why you need to regularly have it tuned and maintained.
Even if you are a non-technical person, you can keep an eye out for these signs so you know it’s time to have your piano tuned:
Odd or Unpleasant Sounds
A well-tuned piano should always produce a pleasant and calm sound. You can determine if your piano needs tuning by listening closely to each key you press.
If your piano produces a sharp or flat note, it’s possible that your piano needs to be adjusted.
Mechanical Concerns
Another way you can determine if your piano needs tuning is when you encounter mechanical issues.
Try playing some keys on your piano and see if they are still rebounding as quickly as before. If the key is slow to return after being struck, it’s likely in need of a tune-up.
Changes in Environment
Pianos may also be affected by recent environmental changes. Since pianos contain a large amount of wood, the changes in climate and air flow can affect them too.
If you recently encountered humidity in your home, it’s possible that the wood in your piano will expand. And as a result, its strings get pulled tighter.
This produces a sharp note when you strike your keys; which is a telling sign that your piano needs tuning.
FAQs about Piano Tuning
That’s it for our list of the top piano tuning services in Edmonton. We hope you’re able to find one who can fine-tune your piano at home.
If your favorite piano technician is not on our list, please send us a message so we can check it out.
By the way, if you also need help moving your piano to a new home, you may want to check out our list of the best van rentals in Edmonton.