Living in New Orleans means embracing the heat, the culture, the food — and the humidity. But while that thick Gulf air is part of what makes New Orleans magical, it’s absolutely brutal on your piano.
How Humidity Affects Your Piano
A piano is made primarily of wood — the soundboard, bridges, keys, and action parts all expand and contract with changes in moisture. In a city like New Orleans where humidity regularly exceeds 80-90%, those wood components are constantly swelling and shifting.
When wood swells, the tension on your piano strings changes. The soundboard — the large wooden board that amplifies your piano’s sound — rises and falls with humidity, pushing and pulling on the strings. The result? Your piano goes out of tune faster than almost anywhere else in the country.
Signs Your Piano Needs Tuning
- Notes sound slightly off or “wobbly”
- Chords sound harsh or unpleasant
- Your piano sounds fine in winter but terrible in summer
- You haven’t had it tuned in over a year
If any of these sound familiar, New Orleans humidity is likely the culprit.
How Often Should You Tune Your Piano in New Orleans?
Most piano manufacturers recommend tuning twice a year. In New Orleans we strongly recommend at least twice a year — and for pianos in older homes without climate control, or near windows and exterior walls, three times a year is not unreasonable.
The worst thing you can do is ignore tuning for several years. When a piano drops significantly in pitch, it requires a pitch raise — a more intensive and costly service — before it can even be properly tuned.
Protecting Your Piano From Humidity
Beyond regular tuning there are steps you can take to protect your instrument:
- Keep your piano away from exterior walls where temperature and humidity fluctuate most
- Avoid placing your piano near air conditioning vents — sudden blasts of cold dry air are just as damaging as humidity
- Consider a Dampp-Chaser humidity control system — installed inside your piano it automatically maintains optimal humidity levels year round
- Keep your home between 45-70% relative humidity if possible
Why Choose a Local Piano Tuner Who Knows New Orleans
Not all piano tuners are created equal. A technician who has spent decades working in New Orleans understands exactly how our climate behaves and how it affects different types of pianos. They know which instruments are most vulnerable, how to compensate for seasonal pitch changes, and how to keep your piano stable between tunings.
Henry Artigue has been tuning pianos in New Orleans for over 50 years. With 551 five star Google reviews and experience tuning for world class artists including Paul Simon, Harry Connick Jr., and The Eagles at venues from Preservation Hall to the Smoothie King Arena — your piano is in the best hands in the city.
Schedule Your Piano Tuning Today
Don’t let New Orleans humidity take a toll on your piano. Whether you’re in New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Mandeville, Covington, Madisonville, Abita Springs, or Slidell — Henry Artigue comes to you.
📞 Call or text: 504-669-0048 🌐 artiguepianotuning.com
You might also enjoy learning about how I tune a piano using my unique hybrid method.”