Ryan W. Sowers, RPT
Pianova Piano Service
Established 1994
Call or Text (360) 480-5693 pianovapianoservice@gmail.com
Registered Piano Technician | Serving the South Sound Since 1994 | Factory Trained: Steinway • Yamaha • Kawai
Certified Tuning Examiner (CTE) for the Piano Technicians Guild.
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"Such an easy process to get scheduled for our piano tuning. Ryan was so knowledgeable and was able to answer any questions I had about the process. He even was able to tell me a few historical things about my piano that I didn’t know. The whole process was smooth and handled with care and integrity."
Crystal Zimmerman
2026 President, Olympia Chamber Orchestra.
Interim Choral Director, St. Martin's University.
Ryan of Pianova has been my primary piano technician in Olympia for almost 20 years. He and his wife Jean are a fantastic team who work hard together to make sure that the pianos sound right and scheduling and business issues are easy. Ryan is a Steinway certified technician who has excellent ears. Because he mastered his craft before the advent of so much technology, he is very adept at tuning by ear, and using this technique is still his primary focus. He does incorporate technology, but more as a supplement rather than only tuning to an app. As a result, the tuning sounds musical and is customized to my instrument. He has prepared my Steinway for all of the albums I have recorded, and just finished prepping it for an upcoming project. Highly recommend!
Jennifer Bowman
Composer, Educator, Creator
Graduate of the Juilliard School, New York. Former Assistant Manager of Major PNW Piano Retailer.
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I'm a professional pianist and trust Ryan completely. He is a phenomenal tuner, technician and piano mover. He's moved a few of my pianos - no small feat! It's magical to watch him work. He also has an expert ear in terms of tuning and voicing. One of his specialities is making spinet and upright pianos truly sing - it takes a truly gifted technician to know how to bring out the best in those instruments. He's always happy to answer questions and scheduling with him is very easy - Jean, who handles the administrative side of Ryan's business is responsive and kind. I highly recommend Ryan for all things piano!
Touch and tone matter as much as tuning.
(often more)
A well voiced and regulated piano makes the keyboard feel alive under your fingers and the sound flow from your heart to your ears. A well voiced piano will sound in tune longer. Even our basic service includes some touch or tone work. Maintaining the condition of the hammers should be part of regular piano service.
Not all tunings are equal.
The optimal tuning is revealed from the piano itself not imposed from the outside.
We use an advanced technique known as "Whole Tone, Open String Tuning". 80% of this is done strictly "by ear" using an array of traditional checks and cross checks to achieve the best sound.
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"The three most important aspects of a tuning:
Stability, stability, and stability"
This phrase was repeated many times by the master technicians that I have studied with. Technicians vary in their ability to achieve stable tuning. A tuning that doesn't last is not a good value.
Steinway & Sons stresses the importance of aural (by ear) tuning
"Developing piano tone is a mechanical and musical art. Solid aural tuning exercises and develops the musical ear, giving the technician a greater ability to master the methods used in tone building."
-From Steinway's World Wide Technical Guide
We are not piano snobs. ​
We love the challenge of working on modest instruments including old upright pianos, spinets, and consoles that other technicians may shun. Often these are the pianos that benefit the most from high quality work. Transforming modest, neglected instruments can be truly satisfying.
P.S.
"Anyone who cannot tune a piano well by ear is not a piano tuner, period."
FROM "UNDER THE LID" by Steve Brady
"Electronic tuning aids in the right hands are a wonderful adjunct to the human ear....
...In the wrong hands they are just a crutch. The piano tuner/technician must be thoroughly familiar with the theory of aural tuning and capable of putting that theory into practice.
-Steve Brady, beloved colleague, mentor and author of "Under the Lid: The Art & Craft of the Concert Piano Technician. Currently the technician for the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall.
CALL or TEXT US
360-480-5693
CONTACT US
Pianova Piano Service
Piano tuning, regulation, voicing, repair & restoration Serving Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and the greater South Sound Including Puyallup, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Centralia, Chehalis, Shelton, Aberdeen & Hoquiam
(360) 480‑5693 • pianovapianoservice@gmail.com
Fine piano care in the South Sound since 1994
Jean Sowers, Our Friendly Client Care Expert!
