Frequently Asked Questions

What makes someone a piano technician?

A piano tecnician:

  • Will have the abitiliy to perform a stable tuning and competent repairs quickly & effectively
  • Posses a wide array of skills that he/she has gained from studying piano technology
  • Has camaraderie with other technicians, suppliers & manufacturers worldwide
  • Will be licensed, insured and paying sales tax in the state of Louisiana
  • Has a passion for helping pianists excel by improving the performance of their instruments



Why should I choose Ducharme's Piano Service to care for my piano?

  • Competent, professional service at a competitive rate
  • A team of 2 technicians with over 27 years of combined experience
  • Online scheduling and email reminders
  • Well know in the community and reviewed by many: Google & Facebook
  • Licensed and insured in the state of Louisiana
  • Wide array of services from tuning to rebuilding "for the love and life of your piano"



How often should I have my piano tuned?

  • Ducharme's Piano Service recommends that all pianos residing in Louisiana be tuned a minimum of twice a year.
  • All manufacturers recommend tuning your brand new piano 4 times within the first year to allow for string setlling and acclimation. Thereafter, they recommend at least twice a year.
  • Installation of a Piano Life Saver System will prolong the life of your piano by keeping the humidity inside at the proper levels. It will also help the tuning stay stable. It is not designed to keep your piano at proper pitch. Regular tuning and maintenance is still required.



What should I expect on the day of my appointment?

Please inform us of any issues that you are having (other than tuning) before your appointment. If you'd like any additional services please schedule them with your appointment. If you're unsure of what your services your piano needs, please contact us and we will be glad to help. On the day of your appointment you will receive a reminder phone call or text message an hour before your scheduled time. Please use this time to remove all of the items from the top of the piano. We are not liable for items left on top of the piano. Make sure there is quiet in the room where the piano is located. We will arrive on time. If we are running early or late you will receive a phone call or text informing you of our arrival time.
The piano will be inspected for structural integrity and then tuned. The tuning will take 1-2 hours depending on the severity. No other services are covered in the tuning fee. On occasion, if the piano is in need of cleaning, we will preform the tuning after we have taken care of the cleaning. There are rare instances where we will inform you that we can not service your piano due to stuctural damage. If this is the case we charge an inspection fee. If we notice anything that needs attention, we will inform you of what we find. This can easily be scheduled on your next appointment. Some days we may even have time to address it the same day. Payment is due at the end of the service call. We accept cash, check or credit card (3% processing fee).