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SYDNEY, June 21, 2025
A half-century of harmony ends as Terry Harper retires
Terry Harper’s retirement concludes a 50-year legacy of piano tuning at the Sydney Opera House, started by his father.
- Terry Harper retired after 50 years of tuning pianos at the Sydney Opera House.
- His father started the family legacy when the Opera House opened in 1973.
- Harper tuned pianos for countless musical stars and notable figures.
- He recalls a childhood filled with music and world-class performers.
After dedicating 50 years to tuning pianos at the Sydney opera House, Terry Harper retired this week, ending a family legacy that began in 1973.
ABC News/Declan BowringA family’s harmonious history
As it’s opening over 50 years ago, the Sydney Opera House has hosted musical legends and witnessed meaningful events. From artistic displays to Arnold Schw
Terry HarperThe art of aural tuning
Harper possesses an innate ability to detect when a piano is out of tune. “I always had a very good sense of pitch,” he says, “[but] it’s arduous to master.” His method relies entirely on his ear.
Each piano has 243 strings,with most keys using three wires per note. “once they start to deviate from the same frequency, they cause thes things which we call beats, and that’s what we’re listening for when we’re tuning,” Harper explains.
The meticulous process can take up to 90 minutes, with each of the opera House’s 30 pianos requiring tuning almost every time they are used.
How frequently enough do the pianos at the Sydney Opera House need tuning? Each of the 30 pianos in the building needs to be tuned basically every time they’re used,as “there’s so many strings in there that can wander out of tune,especially when you’re playing big piano concertos,” Terry explains.
“I refer to these as being F1 racing cars… They’re realy gunning them,” he adds.
A demanding, but rewarding job
The work is constant, with nights, early mornings, and multiple tunings per day.Yet, the perks, such as meeting renowned musicians and accessing sought-after tickets, are significant.
Although harper has tuned pianos at the Royal albert hall,Abbey Road Studios,and broadcast offices,the Opera House holds a special place in his heart. “For me, it’s a very happy place. It’s pretty much been my life.”
The Next Generation: Carrying the Legacy
While Terry Harper’s retirement closes a chapter,the story of the Harper family and their relationship with the Sydney Opera house pianos may not be over. The article doesn’t explicitly state that a successor has been named, it’s natural to wonder if another Harper, perhaps a child or grandchild, may eventually pick up this unique profession. The deep understanding of piano tuning, nurtured for half a century, represents more than just a technical skill; it’s a dedication to music and a reverence for the instrument.
The dedication to hearing music and the ability to use that innate sense of pitch, the next generation could find themselves at the start of a life’s journey. “The ability to master these skills opens up worlds,” as many have said. they could inherit not only skills but also the privilege of being part of the symphony of sound that makes the Sydney Opera House a global icon.
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