Al Schaeffer has been tuning and repairing pianos in Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. since 1969.

 

​3rd Generation Piano Technicians

Al follows in the family tradition of working with pianos. Al’s grandfather, John Schaeffer, started working on pianos in 1901. His father, Al Schaeffer, Sr. also a piano technician opened Silver Spring Piano on Sligo Avenue, later to be called Schaeffer & Sons Piano Company, Inc.

 

Al, Jr. spent most of his life surrounded by pianos. He began his piano career early by cleaning the shop, moving pianos, then graduating to rebuilding pianos. Soon after, he fabricated and replaced pin blocks. In time, he would customize a tool that would make the re-pinning processmore efficient. In the early ‘70s, he took the needed training to become a piano tuner. The family tradition continues with Al’s daughter, Heather. She is a piano instructor.

 

Registered Piano Technician (RPT)

Al is a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) with the Piano Technician's Guild. This certification includes passing a series of examinations that test knowledge of piano technology, as well as competency in piano tuning, repairs, action, and regulation.

Some of the artist Al has tuned and serviced pianos they played:

• Kennedy Center and Wolftrap Performers:

       Marvin Hamlisch, Vladimir Horowitz, Peter Serkin, Cohen, to name a few

• Jazz and Concert Performers:

       Ahmad Jamal, Marcus Johnson, Sonny & Cher, Frank Sinatra, John Hurd

• Local DC TV/Radio Personalities: Donnie Simpson, Arch Campbell

• Arena Stage Owner/Director: Zelda Fichandler

• Washington DC Choral Arts Society: Norman and Shirley Scribner

• White House

• Henry Steinway of Steinway & Sons