Barker Piano Tuning

We do most of the repairs on a piano except for cabinet refinishing.  Here are some basic services we provide.  It is not a complete list. For specific repairs a visual inspection will be done and an estimate will be given.

Standard Piano Tuning  : 

Orange & Seminole County     Call for Pricing

Lake, Osceola, & Volusia County   Call for Pricing

Pitch Raise 
Sometimes a piano is a half step flat.  In order to tune at standard pitch, we must first do a pitch raise followed by the standard tuning.

Complete Interior Cleaning 
This includes:
-Cleaning the harp
-Cleaning the soundboard under the strings and harp
-Cleaning the dampers
-Pulling the action and blowing out all the dust
-Brushing the hammers
-Brushing the back checks
-Dressing the hammer knuckles
-Cleaning the key bed
-Cleaning all key tops
“The only time your piano would have been cleaner was on the showroom floor.”

Leveling the Keys  
All of the keys must be at the same level and drop the same distance across the whole piano in order for the keys to have the proper force to push the hammer correctly and evenly.  These tolerances are to .001 of an inch.  With use and age, bushings and felts become compressed and the tolerances become too large.  Small paper shims are used to bring the keys back to factory specifications.

Action Regulation
         Pianos go out of regulation with age and use; felts become depressed and tolerances change.  Most manufacturers recommend regulating the piano every three to five years.  There are seven adjustments for each key that need to be set to the correct tolerances.
This includes regulation of:
-Jack Position
-Repetition lever height
-Repetition spring tension
-Hammer blow distance
-Hammer left off distance
-Hammer drop distance
-Back check distance
Action regulation puts the piano back as close as possible to its original factory specifications.  After action regulation the difference in the way the piano responds to your touch will be greatly improved.

Greg Barker   March 15, 1954 – September 8, 2023

I began tuning pianos in 1996.  I was impressed through prayer to ask my good friend and fellow musician, Larry Fisher, if he would teach me to tune pianos.  Larry was a 14 year veteran of the piano tuning craft at the time.  He graciously accepted and I spent a summer going with him to piano tunings and finally tuning a piano in his garage that he was repairing.  From those humble beginnings I began to tune pianos for friends, family, and church members.  Shortly after gaining some tuning experience I started working part time for Allegro Music Center in Casselberry.  The owner, Jim Jones, offered to send me the piano tuning requests that came into the store.  This allowed me to work part time for him as his road man to the schools.  Without realizing it at the time, this gave me immediate access to school’s band, choir, and orchestra teachers who all have pianos that needed to be tuned.  God put in place all the pieces I needed to get my piano tuning business off and running.  20 plus years later I still love the job God called me to.  Now I am training my daughter, Erin Copeland, to tune pianos.  What a joy it is to see her become an excellent piano tuner as well.

Erin Copeland,  Updated 1/31/24, I am so thankful to be carrying on my Dad’s legacy through tuning pianos.  Though he is no longer physically here, I know that he is here in all the lives that he has touched.  I hope that I have the opportunity to work with you soon.  Please reach out anytime.  -Erin

Greg’s daughter, is 36 years old and has been helping with piano repairs and projects for many years.  As of January 2017 she has been apprenticing and tuning pianos with Greg and on her own.

“Ever since I have been a choral Director, Greg has done a perfect job of keeping my personal pianos and school pianos tuned and playing beautifully!  I knew about him becuase ever since I was little he would tune my mother’s Yamaha Baby Grand.  Years and years of reliable and great service for these extravagant instruments, I’m happy!”
–Janelle Kaufmann, Choral Director, Tohopekaliga High School

“I have used Barker Piano Tuning for my piano tuning needs for many years not only through my school, but my home piano as well.  Greg Barker and Erin Copeland always complete the job with extreme professionalism and efficiency.  I would highly recommend them for their fair pricing and impeccable work.”
-Joanna Sell, Orchestra and Guitar Director, Hunters Creek Middle School

“Greg Barker has tuned my upright piano for the past 8 years.  He is professional, knowledgeable and trust worthy.  Recently, I was in search of a baby grand, and sent him many listings on possible pianos for sale.  He steered me in the right direction regarding piano makers, quality, and craftsmanship.  Eventually Mr. Barker went with me to the seller’s home, inspected the piano I was interested in and offered his expert advice regarding the purchase.  It was so helpful having him there to help me through the process, from making the decision, purchasing, and the moving process.  Once the piano was moved to our home, Greg and his daughter Erin spent almost 9 hours cleaning, tuning, and adjusting it.  Erin returned several weeks later for additional tuning.  I am honored to know Greg and his family and recommend him to my piano students and their families.”
–Julie, Private Piano Teacher

“Over my years in Florida Greg has always tuned my pianos.  And he tunes them excellently.  I have recommended him to others.  Even if a key has gone sour, he will come to fix it so it sounds right.
Greg is the best!”
–Ed Haddad, Piano Tuning Customer

“Greg Barker has tuned pianos for our summer concert series at the opera for several years now and he even tunes the piano at my home.  He always delivers great results in either setting and is professional and easy to work with.”
–Gabriel Preisser, Executive & Artistic Director, Opera Orlando

“I started having Greg tune my piano upon the recommendation of a friend.  Not only does he do a great job tuning it, but he’s become a friend as well.  He’s personable as well as competent.  I highly endorse his services.”
–Carol, Piano Tuning Customer

“The piano tuner I used retired and he recommended Greg Barker.  The first time Greg tuned the Boston concert grand on the stage he suggested it needed to be regulated.  He and his daughter, Erin, came and worked the better part of a day on the piano.  When they were done the piano never felt better.  He and his daughter Erin have been tuning the school pianos ever since.  I highly recommend both Greg and Erin for tuning, maintenance, and repair.  They do great work.”
–Dr. Thomas Naus, Choir Director, Ocoee High School, Retired

“Greg has been tuning our piano for 10 years.  We have a very old piano that others charge extra to tune.  Greg has tuned it, replaced parts, and has made that piano play actual music for the first time in 60 years.”
–Dean, Tuning Customer

“Greg has been tuning my grand and upright pianos for over 11 years now.  Each time he comes to tune, Greg is punctual, friendly, accommodating of my sometimes unpredictable schedule, and very attentive to the pianos.  He gives great care to the tuning and overall maintenance of the pianos; often going above and beyond to treat them, and to help prolong their life.  Recently Greg’s daughter, Erin, has been to tune some of my pianos as well.  Erin shares the same traits as her father, in that she is pleasant to work with, and very attentive to the pianos.  If you need a piano tuned, you can certainly trust them to do a great job!”
-Heidi Gentner, Choral Director, Lake Mary High School