Reisner Piano & Harp
About
Hello, my name is Alex Reisner. I am a piano and harp technician based in Waxahachie, Texas, and I would love to help you with your piano, harp, or autoharp! I service the DFW area and the broader North and Central Texas area. I am a Canadian-American born in Marshall, Texas with roots in the pioneers of Tarrant County and Eastland County, who grew up in Ukraine, Florida, British Columbia, and Texas. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma and learned the trade apprenticed at Texas Piano Restoration in Garland, Texas, and I am a member of the Piano Technicians Guild. I am a musician and composer for the piano, harp, and other instruments. I am also developing a line of piano tool toys for piano students called Piano Buddies.
Contact Me
Phone: (214) 949-3395
Email: reisnerpiano@gmail.com
Services
Piano
Tuning - $120
Pitch Raise - $50
Repair - $60/hour ($30 half hour minimum)
Damper Replacement - (please request evaluation for quote)
Keytop Replacement - (please request evaluation for quote)
On-site Regulation - (please request evaluation for quote)
Harp & Autoharp
Tuning - $60
Restringing - $180 (plus cost of strings)
Repair - $60/hour ($30 half hour minimum
Service Area
My primary service area includes Ellis County, Dallas County, Tarrant County, Johnson County, Kaufman County, Navarro County, and Hill County. I would happy to travel further afield for an additional travel fee.
FAQ
How often should my piano be tuned?
The Piano Technicians Guild recommends biannual tunings. Many people do annual tunings. After several years without tuning, a piano will need a pitch raise.
What is a pitch raise?
A pitch raise is an initial rough tuning in which the strings are tuned slightly higher than in tune to allow the piano to stretch to adjust for more stable pitch when the standard tuning is done. Without a pitch raise, the piano would go out of tune very quickly and it would not provide a satisfactory sound. A pitch raise is necessary when the piano is over 30 cents flat. If the piano is more than 60 cents flat, a major pitch raise is necessary, which means that a follow-up tuning is recommended within the following weeks or months after tuning as the piano has to settle in with a major change in overall tension making a long-term hold of a stable tuning unlikely. After a pitch raise and tuning, following tunings will not need a pitch raise unless several years go by without a tuning.
Where are you based?
I am based in Waxahachie, Texas in the South DFW area.
Who do you recommend for piano restoration?
I recommend Texas Piano Restoration in Garland, Texas, for piano restoration needs, including soundboard replacement, case work, etc.
How did you learn the trade?
I was apprenticed under master piano technician Lucas Heuer of Texas Piano Restoration.
What is the Piano Technicians Guild?
The Piano Technicians Guild is an organization that represents piano technicians and promotes quality work.
Do you play the piano?
Yes, I am a piano player. I compose music for piano in a style reminiscent to Irish music with influence from Afro-Latin rhythms. I also play several other instruments including the harp, autoharp, accordion, and guitar.
What are alternative tunings?
Most pianos are tuned to equal temperament based on 440 hz for A4, but this is not the only option. I can tune to historical tunings, such as the ones Bach used, or to contemporary experimental tunings, or to equal temperament based around a different A such as 432 hz.