Background

From 1991-1993, I studied Piano Tuning & Repairs under the direction of Ken Forrest, Alastair Laurence, (the late) Mick Danby and Mark Challinor, at the City of Leeds College of Music – a joint BTEC National Diploma & City and Guilds qualification. At the end of both courses, I achieved a Distinction and was awarded the college’s ‘Broadwood Trust Prize for Piano Technology’.

Clients

Past & current tuning clients include:

BBC Birmingham, Ladbrooke Pianos (Birmingham), Halesowen Choral Society, Houghton Hall (Lord Cholmondeley), Sir Stephen Hough, Lord & Lady Ullswater, Holkham Hall, Wells Maltings, Lady Rawlings, Corn Exchange King’s Lynn, Yorke Trust, Lucinda Mackworth-Young, Music In The Burnhams.

Domestic (Home) Tuning

Where possible, a piano will be pulled up to concert pitch (A440Hz, C523.3Hz), but prior inspection of the instrument will be undertaken for this to be ascertained. Where repairs are necessary, clients will be informed prior to any works taking place.

It is advisable to have your piano tuned regularly. A standard time-frame is every six months, but if an instrument is in constant use, then more frequent visits will be needed. This will be advised during a tuning visit.

It is also recommended that you keep a check on the conditions of the room where a piano is situated and make sure it is neither too damp/cold or too dry/hot. It would be useful for owners to purchase a hygrometer. They are relatively inexpensive and will give you a useful frame of reference.

Concert Tuning

It is advisable that the instrument is ‘in-situ’ prior to tuning and (where possible) any temperature considerations are taken into account. For a concert, the piano will require at least two tunings: One pitch correction and fine tuning, followed by a ‘top up’ tuning.

Testimonials

‘I met Tim Rock first some years ago after losing my regular piano tuner through his retirement. Looking after the “baby” is a critical role to any musician and my piano has been my life blood and how I have carved out a career so handing over, albeit temporarily to someone I didn’t know was rather a risk.

He did not even come with a recommendation, which is always more  risky so was I letting myself in for a disappointment? I met Tim at a charity where I was a volunteer.

I need not have worried because Tim has been a great “find” and now that I am chair of the music charity, Music in the Burnhams, and responsible for finding the musicians who play for us, it has been a comfort to know that the pianos we use for concerts are so well looked after.

Tim is a very sensitive and highly efficient piano tuner  who cares for the instruments with so much understanding and time. He is also extremely organised and I have every faith in leaving him to just get on with it so no concert is missed and we always arrive at a venue and the piano is on top form and complimented on by all who play them.. I could get into the technical stuff about why he is so good but why not use him yourself and be surprised that such a gifted and personable young man can have the skills you need to keep your piano in its best form.’

Marian Abramovich BMus, ARCM
Chair of Trustees, Music in the Burnhams

‘Tim Rock is a superb tuner. I am always thrilled with his tuning – he takes the time and trouble to ensure excellent results’

Lucinda Mackworth-Young
(Pianist & Teacher, August 2024)

Please contact us for further information and pricing.