Am currently learning to play the piano, but I am interested in learning piano tuning too, how important or related is these two? Do I need to actually master how to play the piano before I can start to learn piano tuning, or they are more or less two different things? Thanks!
I work in a music store and most of the tuners play, but one or two don’t. Obviously, you need to know the note names, and some basic chord knowledge to hear the results of your tuning. The ability to use your ear is more important. Although, I know a few tuners who use a computer program to tune pianos. So, long answer short: No, but it wouldn’t hurt. People would be more inclined to trust a piano tuner who could play well.
Most techs can play *some*. But these two skills are not dependent upon each other. You can drive at Indy without knowing how to build an engine.
In my piano tuning master training in Vienna I was surprise to find out that all the piano tuners there are real professional pianists.
OK, maybe Vienna is “special” Musicians are everywhere! Ask a maintenance guy to play and he will play a Beethoven Sonata.
I think it is a plus when you can play for real after your tuning to really check if everything is OK. But NOT just to check your tuning but most importantly to check the action mechanics and adjustments. If your an advance pianist, you will be able to notice very precisely the improvement an action can benefit.
I personally would better trust a piano tuner that can play over one that can’t.