[pianotech] Humidity

[John Formsma]

I tell my churches to try to have it at normal temperature, or within five
degrees if normal isn't practical.

Humidity changes won't affect the wood that quickly. Changes in humidity
will cause tuning changes beginning after 24 hours or so.

>From my general observation (not scientific study), for every 5º F there
will be about 1 Hz difference at A4. That amount of change varies according
to the size of the piano. If I come to a piano and it's 80º, I'll tune it
flatter than A440, anticipating that pitch will rise as the temperature
drops to 70º. How much flatter is somewhat a guessing game. Either I get it
right on, or close enough so people don't notice it, or most people can't
tell the difference and don't care all that much anyway. ;-)

--
John Formsma, RPT
Blue Mountain, MS

On Tue, Jul 24, 2012 at 2:12 PM, Laura Olsen <ajoyfulsound at gmail.com> wrote:

> So, how important is it to have a sanctuary at the temperature it's used
> at when you tune the piano?  How fast does the wood take on or let go of
> the humidity?  If it was 60% when I tuned it (and 86 degrees Fahrenheit)
> and it's only 56% when the A/C is on, how much will the piano change in
> pitch?  I can ask churches to cool down or heat up the room to the
> appropriate level, but if they …forget... do I have to reschedule?  I'd
> love to hear your opinions.
>
> Thanking you in advance,
>
> Laura Olsen, RPT
> A Joyful Sound, Inc.
> Barrington, Illinois
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