Piano tuning, voicing and regulation in Tacoma, Washington and the Puget Sound area.

Serving residences, businesses, educational institutions, performance and recording spaces, places of worship, and healthcare facilities in our community.

Jett Piano Services

-Highest rated technician in Tacoma with over 100 5-star reviews on Google.

-Certified, Licensed and member of the PTG.

-Trusted with the maintenance of over 500 pianos.

Customer reviews below.

Jett Piano Services cleaning a piano in Lakewood.
A Bluthner grand piano and its patented aliquot system near Puyallup, Washington after some tuning Steven Jett did.
Inspection of a grand piano action near Gig Harbor, Washington.
Measuring keydip of a piano keyboard while doing action regulation near University Place, Washington.
Two Steinway D concert grand pianos near Tacoma in a concert hall at PLU that Steven Jett tuned for a recording of new piano compositions a modern composer was about to record.
Steven Jett, certified piano technician, doing some touch-up voicing on a grand piano in Pierce County.

Steven Jett owns and operates Jett Piano Services, delivering quality service and craftsmanship.

Steven Jett, piano tuner, tuning near Me, Parkland, Tacoma, Graham, University Place, Federickson, Lakewood, Puyallup, South Hill, Fife, Gig Harbor, Steilacoom, DuPont, Edgewood, Sumner, Bonney Lake, Summit, Waller, Spanaway, Fircrest, Washington.

With nearly two decades of experience maintaining instruments, training in metalworking and woodworking, and a background in keyboard instrument manufacturing having worked at three of the country’s finest pipe organ-building workshops, Steven’s experience and diverse skill set gives him a unique advantage in the trade.

Tuning

Most manufacturers recommend tuning be done twice per year.

Tools used during the process of piano tuning to mute strings and turn pins near Lacey, Washington
A drawing of a piano technicians tool used to turn tuning pins during piano tuning appointments.
Upright grand piano tuning in Olympia, Wa.

Seasonal changes in humidity and temperature cause a piano’s wood to expand and contract, changing the tension and pitch of the strings. Strings also stretch over time, causing their pitch to drop. Frequent tuning ensures the piano stays under appropriate tension and pitch. Without tuning, the pitch will eventually drift far enough that a pitch correction is needed, which is a preliminary tuning that brings the piano closer to standard pitch before fine-tuning can be done.

During pitch corrections, tension shifts within the piano pushing tuned strings flat. Technicians apply an estimated over-pull to compensate, but the result is not precise enough without a subsequent tuning. If the piano is significantly off-pitch, multiple corrections may be needed. If the pitch is close to standard pitch, tension changes are minimal during tuning and a pitch correction is unnecessary. Regular tuning ensures that the piano remains in good condition and reduces the need for time-consuming pitch corrections.

Voicing

Tuning corrects the pitch of a piano, voicing changes its tone quality or timbre.

Piano after getting a tuned tuning Buckley, Washington.
A drawing of a piano technicians tool used to turn tuning pins during piano tuning appointments.
Jett Piano Services doing some piano voicing on the hammers of a grand piano near Lakewood, Washington.

Techniques like needling, applying hardening or softening products and reshaping the hammers can improve a piano’s tone. Reshaping hammers and voicing can restore the original tone and richness of a piano that is lost over time. Regular tuning ensures that the results of hammer reshaping and voicing can be fully appreciated. Even with proper tuning and voicing, a piano won’t reach its full potential without the correct regulation of the action.

Voicing is done to achieve or maintain a certain quality of sound. The optimal tone quality for any given piano depends on the customer personal preferences, the instrument's characteristics and the properties of the room in which the piano is located. With use, the hammers become flattened, compressed, and grooved. This causes the tone and volume to become uneven from one note to the next, resulting in an unfocused sound and a constricted expressive range.

Regulation

Tuning and voicing improves a piano’s sound, regulation makes a piano’s touch feel great.

Grand piano action regulation before tuning in fife, Washington.
A drawing of a piano technicians tool used to turn tuning pins during piano tuning appointments.
Piano tuning tuned in Enumclaw, Washington.

The action consists of thousands of carefully aligned parts that transmit the movement of the keys to the hammers. Made primarily from wood, the action parts are also affected by temperature and humidity, which causes them to slip out of regulation. When an action is out of regulation, the player may experience an inconsistent touch with uneven response from the keys. Action parts may experience excessive friction, leading to accelerated wear and potentially costly repairs.

Regulating the action is essential for achieving the best possible performance from a piano and is a regular part of piano maintenance. A well-regulated, evenly voiced, and properly tuned piano allows musicians to fully express their musical vision without struggling against the instrument.

Key Top Replacement

Over the years, a piano’s key tops may get worn, chipped, or discolored. We carefully replace and align all of the key tops with new tops made of high quality materials, enhancing both the look and performance of your piano.

It is recommended to replace key bushings while the keyboard is at the workshop.

  • “A consummate professional, Steven approached my two very different pianos with care, deep knowledge, and real artistry. From the moment he began his work, (being promptly on time for our appointment), his strong passion for his craft was on full display. Steven is a very skilled, honest, humble, knowledgeable and extremely capable technician who I cannot recommend high enough to anyone out there searching for someone of quality to work on their piano.”

    — Jeremy B.

  • “Steven just tuned our 14 year old Sohmer baby grand that was in storage for a few months. It was last tuned two years ago. This is the first time I could actually hear the difference. On a side note you get to enjoy Steven’s beautiful playing after he finished.”

    — John D.

  • “Gracious, professional, punctual, and educational. Steven took great care of our Yamaha C6, giving it a much needed cleaning and took the time to make sure he was happy with the tuning process. He showed us the action and carefully explained the reasons for why and how he cares for our instrument. I am so grateful to have found him, and I hope he’ll be tuning our piano for years to come.”

    — Camille G.

  • “Steven did an amazing job tuning my piano. Not only was he able to make an appointment that work best for my work schedule but he also showed up on time. He was very kind and respectful. He even went out of his way and fixed my piano bench. My piano is a 1968 piano that hadn’t been tuned since who knows when but he took the time and patience and it sounds amazing! I highly recommend him. If I could give him a 10 star rating I would.”

    — Harrison B.

  • “We had our piano tuned after probably 20 years. Steven had great communication, including reminders and notices, and what to expect. He arrived on time and transformed our very out of tune piano into a beautiful musical instrument. I would recommend his services. It was also very affordable.”

    — Tracy M.

  • “Steven Jett takes excellent care of our beloved piano. He works quickly and carefully, and his love of the instrument is clear. Beyond that, Steven brings a warm, delightful presence to our home as he works. We recommend him wholeheartedly.”

    — Crista R.

  • “Blown away by Steven's exceptional craftsmanship. He is an expert of an increasingly rare art form. He restored a multi-generational piano to good as new. At the end of a full day's work, he filled our home with *gorgeous* piano playing - it felt like a time machine!”

    — Ashley M.

  • “Steven was so wonderful! He was a delight to talk to on the phone while choosing which service to book. He came out to my house and was even more of a delight in person. Very professional and he did a great job. My piano needs more work than I was ready to put into it, but I, without hesitation, will use Jett Piano Services for all future piano related needs. I highly recommend!”

    —Bethany S.

  • “Absolutely wonderful experience! Steven tuned my piano and helped me adjust the voicing to better suit my preferences. It hasn’t sounded this good in quite some time! Fantastic communication, kind, and very professional. I will definitely be using Jett Piano Services again.”

    — Mike L.

  • “Steven met all my expectations as a piano technician, even exceeded them with how professional the whole process was. It was easy to request an appointment all the way through providing payment. He is transparent about the services he provides. He is very friendly and conveys a lot of knowledge about pianos, and made recommendations to me according to how my piano behaves and the frequency it is tuned.”

    — Tiffany W.

  • “Steven did an amazing, thorough job tuning my Upright Steinway. The piano also had 3 notes the resonated too long that Steven fixed. After the piano tuning was finished he spent time explaining the tuning process and also answered all of my questions about the piano. He finished the tuning by playing beautifully on the piano. Thanks for the excellent tune and I'll definitely using Jett Piano Services LLC the next time my piano needs to be tuned.”

    — Fritz K.

  • “I recently bought a used baby grand piano. When I got it home, the sound and feel was just ok. After Steven was done working on it, it sounds and feels like a concert grand. I am amazed by the difference. Because of his knowledge, he was able to bring out the best in this piano. I really appreciated how Steven asked the right questions to make sure he knew how I played and what I was after in the sound of the piano. I am so impressed by his work.”

    — Kerry N.

  • “Steven was an amazing technician! Very thorough, really cared about making the piano sound great.....very personable, and spent time playing the piano to be sure it was in great condition! He will be my go to now forever!”

    — Jerrie L.

  • “It is important to understand the difference between a piano tuner vs. a piano technician. Steven Jett is a piano technician with the training and experience to provide the full range of piano service. Steven provided pitch correction, tuning, and some voicing for our piano with the same care as we treat the instrument ourselves. I highly recommend. Thank you Steven!”

    — John S.

  • “Steven tuned my piano after moving it cross country and storing it in our garage for 5 years. It plays beautifully!!! He is so knowledgable about pianos and how to care for them. I learned more today than with all other piano tuners combined. We will definitely call Steven for future piano needs!!!”

    — Shelly W.

  • “Steven Jett was a great balance of being professional and warm. He was quick to respond to all communication and it was very easy to make an appointment. Our piano sounds so much better after his tuning service! He was recommended by a colleague and we couldn’t be happier. We’ll definitely use him again for our regular piano care! Thanks Steven! 😊”

    — Pamela D.

Scheduling
piano back action regulation near Auburn, Washington.
Steven reshaping piano hammers before tuning and voicing.
A Steinway grand piano’s plate, strings and soundboard taken after tuning, voicing and regulation.
Tuning pins in a grand piano.
Reshaping upright piano hammers from an upright piano action before tuning near Auburn, Washington
Steven replacing keys piano key tops near Puyallup, Washington.