How Often to Tune a Piano in Kansas City

Kansas City’s weather is about as charming as my dad on the phone with technical support when the password he reset yesterday doesn’t log him into his Bejeweled account. Let’s face it—this city has a lot going for it, but the humidity in the summer and the piercing frozen rain in the winter aren’t among them. Assuming a tornado doesn’t come to take you, your piano, and your dog to the Land of Oz, we should talk about keeping that piano in tune. That way, at the very least, when you’re hiding from the heat… or the cold… you’ve got a good-sounding piano to play.

Pianos are made mostly of wood and steel—materials that expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. Every time the air shifts, your soundboard—the large wooden plate behind all that metal that gives your piano its voice—moves. Your strings stretch. And little by little, your tuning drifts.

So how often should you tune a piano in Kansas City? The short answer: at least twice a year. Spring and fall are perfect markers—right around the times your HVAC switches from heat to cool… or cool to heat.

The slightly longer answer: tuning frequency depends on a few things. A piano sitting near a vent, window, or exterior wall will feel every mood swing this city throws its way. How much sunlight it gets, how often you play, how hard you play—all of it matters. The location of your piano in your space plays a big role. That’s not to say you should move it away from the window where the light hits just right and makes you want to sit down and play more. But it’s good to set realistic expectations about how temperature and humidity changes affect your tuning. A humidity control system (like a Dampp-Chaser) can make a world of difference, helping your piano hold pitch longer and sound more consistent year-round. Still, it’s normal for things to shift over time, and having someone come by to bring it back to pitch when it starts to lose resonance is part of the process.

And this probably goes without saying—but trust your ear. If you find yourself not wanting to play because your piano sounds off, that’s your sign. Sometimes we lose motivation to practice and can’t quite name why… often it’s because the piano isn’t resonating like it wants to.

Think of tuning like an oil change. It’s not just about short-term performance—it’s about longevity. Regular tuning keeps your strings evenly tensioned, your soundboard healthy, and your investment singing in its best possible register. Wait too long, and it becomes more expensive—and more difficult—to bring it back to life.

Kansas City’s weather will never be constant. Your piano tuning should be.

Book your seasonal tuning with Piano Tuning KC and let’s keep your piano sounding as good as the day you fell in love with it.