How to Tune a Piano by Ear

Hyrum tune's a piano for a Symphony Pops Concert rehearsal by ear. Learn how to practically tune a piano within a reasonable amount of time by using these methods.


Set A 440 with an app or tuning fork (In this case I set it 2 cents sharp anticipating a pitch drop under warm stage lights with bodies around)

Tune A3 to A4 as a beautiful octave
Tune E4 to A3 as a pure sounding narrow 5th
Tune B3 to E3 as a wide fourth (beats about 1 beat a second)
Tune F#4 to B3 as a pure sounding narrow 5th
Tune C#4 to F#4 as a wide 4th
Tune G#4 to C#4 as a pure sounding narrow 5th
Tune Ab4/G#4 to Eb4 as a wide 4th
Tune Bb3 to Eb4 as a wide 4th
Tune F4 to Bb3 as a pure sounding narrow 5th
Tune C4 to F4 as a wide 4th
Tune G4 to C4 as a pure sounding narrow 5th
Tune D4 to G4 as a wide 4th

Fix and refine the temperament using aural beat checks for 3rds,6ths,5ths and 4ths as needed. Check your octave hasn't moved.
Fifths sound pure with slight lilt
Fourths pulse after about a second, twice as busy as fifths
3rds and 6ths progress in beat speed going up chromatically

See my other videos for checks on octaves, 4ths, 5ths, 3rds and 6ths.