About

MARTIN TUCKER : PIANO TUNER -TECHNICIAN (Established 1984)

Servicing and Repairs to all pianos.

Hobart and regional Tasmania, with annual mid -year trips to Northern Territory.

Based predominantly in Tasmania, and since 2006 has expanded clientele to Darwin N.T, where he visits each dry season (June-September), being the most favourable months for pianos to receive their annual tuning.

Martin has built up a large client base in both locations , tuning and servicing pianos for the UTAS Conservatorium ,Charles Darwin University and for numerous venues schools and churches at both ends of the country . Ask around and his name will come up as someone to rely on for excellence in service and for friendly experienced advice in all piano technical matters.

WHAT STARTED ME TO BECOME A PIANO TUNER?

“I took up piano lessons as a kid , advancing up though all the classical grades to A.Mus.A standard, performing in the local Eisteddfords, and winning a few prizes along the way. The piano tuner back then used to come around to tune as best he could our old family piano , with myself looking on in awe at all the moving parts. Later as a teenager I started myself pulling the front off the piano – Pianos have really intrigued me and have moulded my life and career, both as a professional musician , and as a piano tuner.

WHAT DID MY TRAINING INVOLVE?

My first job after leaving school in 1983 was found in a local antique shop specializing in musical instruments including pianos where I was trained in various crafts, including French polishing . This led the following year to acceptance (one of 6) into the Piano tuning and Technology course run at the NSW Conservatorium . A rigorous training on modern pianos , with a concentration on tuning by ear, fine regulation voicing, repairs and piano rebuilding practices. My par -excellence teacher and mentor being an Armenian concert piano technician ,Ara Vartoukian , who now runs the prestigious “Theme and Variations'” piano business in Sydney .”

EXPERIENCE 38 years. -“Since graduation I started my own tuning /repair business in Hobart Tas. I look back now seeing my profession as one of constant learning , although I feel Ive just about seen it all by now.”

My experience has also been enhanced with the sharing of ideas with fellow piano technicians in the field and picking up invaluble ‘tricks of the trade’ through attendance at seminars and conventions run by the Australasian Piano Tuners and Technicians Association (APTTGA) – member since 2011.

Whether working on concert grand pianos for a virtuoso piano artist’s recital , or for say an on- site ressurrection of a neglected piano in someone’s backyard shed , I feel both competent and comfortable in any situation I am called in for. I carry to every job an comprehensive kit of specialized tools, parts, glues and lubricants to handle all the fiddly repairs and tricky problems that I may comes across, especially with older instruments, being a specialist in such and my passionate interest.