“Paul Tizzard has become my first call piano technician in Cape Town for recording sessions…. Paul’s commitment to his work as well as his sensitivity to the music, being a musician himself, sets him apart from anyone else I’ve worked with. I have and continue to recommend Paul to anyone serious about the care of their prized pianos.”
Paul Tizzard
With over three decades of experience in piano tuning, servicing, and restoration, Paul has established himself as a trusted professional in the Cape Town region. As the owner/operator of his business, he brings a personal touch to every piano he services, ensuring care and attention to detail. Committed to delivering quality craftsmanship and prioritising customer satisfaction, he has built a loyal clientele and awaits the chance to include you in this valued community.
“Our (Paul Bothner Music’s) relationship with Paul Tizzard started over 30 years ago. Over this period of time we’ve come to know Paul as professional, reliable, reasonable and skillful; with the utmost and unequivocal pride in his work.”
Services:
Tuning
Pianos naturally go out of tune with use and are also influenced by seasonal shifts. If a piano hasn’t been tuned in several years, it will require a pitch adjustment before a fine tuning can be effectively performed. Typically, pianos in a home environment are tuned once a year, while those in professional settings are tuned before each performance. More frequent tunings contribute to greater stability over time.
Maintenance
A piano’s intricate mechanism is composed of thousands of moving parts, including hinges, springs, tapes, levers, hammers, and dampers. With regular use, the felts within this mechanism can wear down, necessitating adjustments to ensure optimal performance. Depending on the maintenance history of the piano, these adjustments may be incorporated into a tuning session.
Restoration
There comes a time when a piano requires more comprehensive repairs. Older instruments show significant wear on their mechanisms, and this deterioration impacts the touch and tone of the instrument. However, with proper repair, its vitality can be restored. Outright replacement isn’t always necessary; often, a thoughtful refurbishment can serve as a viable alternative. This approach is evaluated and discussed with the owner during the initial visit.
Bio:
Paul’s journey into the world of piano work began in Cape Town during the late 1980s alongside his father, who was a piano technician. Initially aspiring to be a musician, Paul had never considered a career in piano work until his father pointed out the potential for a stable future in this field. This encouragement led Paul to explore the craft, where he quickly discovered a fulfilling path. His father Bob Tizzard, a respected trombonist and double bass player in the vibrant jazz scene of the 1960s, had previously transitioned from being a musician to piano technology, and the two worked together for nearly a decade until Bob’s passing in 2000. Following this, Paul continued the family business, carrying forward the legacy.
Today, Paul Tizzard Pianos proudly serves over 2500 clients, ranging from private individuals to educational institutions and live music venues. His enthusiasm for piano work is evident in his appreciation for the attention to detail this craft demands, resonating with his personality.
Paul is also active on the local music scene.
Gallery:
Testimonials:
“I have known Paul Tizzard as a piano technician and tuner for more than 20 years. As far as the acoustic piano is concerned, I have come to trust his work and judgement in bringing the best out of the most humble of instruments. He has consistently gone above and beyond to achieve a level of excellence that I’m yet to engage in another piano technician.”
“…I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the splendid, expert and caring way you have been treating my long-suffering but faithful Steinway when it needed attention. To know that I can call on a first class piano technician like yourself and rely on your help and sympathy is an invaluable boost to my morale. Thank you for the years of support my Steinway and I received from you.”
“I first met Paul Tizzard when he tuned my piano at our home in Cape Town. At the time, more than two decades ago, I was so impressed with the quality of his craftsmanship that I recommended him to tune the pianos at some of Cape Town’s top schools such as Springfield Convent and Oakhurst Girls Junior.
After taking up duties as Head, Department of Music and Musicology (Rhodes University) it became a priority to have our pianos well maintained and to establish a regular tuning regimen. A large slice of the contract was outsourced to Paul Tizzard, and we are very grateful for the outstanding service he has delivered.
A professional to his fingertips, with an easy demeanour, it is always a pleasure dealing with Paul and our relationship is one that we cherish.”
“Paul Tizzard started tuning the pianos at the Groote Kerk several years ago. Paul is a highly intelligent and hard working individual. He is very reliable and honest. In encounters with Paul, he is friendly, polite, professional and positive.
He has the ability to bring the best quality of sound out in any piano, as he has an incredible ear and he is extremely musical. Paul tunes piano with a beautiful singing tone, with much warmth in the middle register and rich tones in the base.
I much prefer him to any other tuners that I have worked with and have had him tune my personal Bösendorfer Grand Piano at home as a result of his fine work.
Paul has been a wonderful asset to the Groote Kerk and it is a great pleasure and honour for us to have such a specialised piano tuner working for us.
Contact:
Paul Tizzard Pianos
Paul Tizzard is a piano tuner/technician in Cape Town offering piano, tuning and servicing.