Piano Tuning and Technical Service

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This micro-credential program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to maintain, repair, and tune pianos. Not only does the credential program provide students with a basis for employment as a piano technician, it also prepares them for advanced studies in piano technology at another university or piano manufacturer. The credential is focused around a three-pronged set of basic skills: (1) piano tuning, including the development of intonation competency; (2) regulation; and (3) basics techniques of piano repair.

Admission Criteria

While the program is open to non-music majors, some level of musical skill (particularly, basic skills of pitch recognition) will be necessary to complete the program. Thus, students should complete a short, informal interview with the Department’s staff piano technician as a means to ascertain the applicant’s musical experience and current level of ability.

Students interested in adding the microcredential should email the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Brian Moseley

Course Requirements

Piano Tuning and Technical Service Core (6 Credits)

MUS 499TUT - Independent Study Credits: 1-4
(Students will register for MUS 499 at 2 credits each for 3 semesters)

Additional Requirements

After successful completion of MUS499 students will work with the department to schedule a final, performace-based service. In this service, they will demonstrate the skills gained in the program by tuning a departmental piano and conducting voicing and registration work. The demonstration will be judged by a panel of experts including the staff technician and the professor of piano.

Academic Requirements

To earn the micro-credential students will need to earn a grade of B or above in their MUS499 courses and pass their piano tuning demo.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the micro-credential in Piano Tuning and Technical Service, students will be able to:

exercise the appropriate skills needed to tune a piano.
regulate a piano’s action so that it functions uniformly and efficiently.
perform and carry out basic repairs to a piano.