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Smithsonmusic
Smithsonmusic

Smithsonmusic

$160
Estimated price


Additional service

Responds in about 3 hours


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About
Alvin is a well known and highly sought after pianist, piano tuner, teacher and composer in the Washington area. Alvin performs on the piano for concerts, recitals, cabarets, theaters and at special events. . He accompanies choirs and soloists and directs musical theater plays. He loves playing all styles of music: classical, jazz, blues, rock, you name it. In addition to piano, he also plays Native American flute, oboe, and guitar. Alvin is an expert piano tuner. He studied with Baldwin Piano and apprenticed with Kennedy Center technician, Ormand Pratt. He has over 30 years of piano tuning experience. Alvin tunes for concert venues, homes, schools and churches. Kennedy Center and Blackrock. Alvin gives lessons in piano, guitar, voice and song writing. He provides vocal acting coaching and audition preparation. His students develop a firm musical foundation through mastering technique, training the ear, sight reading and exploring all aspects of musical creation. Alvin encourages creativity through improvisation, composition and lyric writing, recording and playing all styles of music best suited to individual need and inclination. Alvin holds a Masters of Music degree from Catholic University in piano performance with emphasis on performance physiology. Bachelors from Kansas U. He composes songs for piano and voice and arranges music for cabarets, choirs and instrumental groups. He is the composer of several musical plays for adult and children. Alvins recent album Toccata Mesa is available on all music sites. The album was recorded live at Peabody Conservatory in the concert hall. His music can also be heard on the albums by Forrest Smithson. Journey of the Outshining Source and Right Use Of Will we’re nominated for Best Album of the Year in Ambient music.
Overview

Hired 1148 times

Serves Washington, DC

Background checked

1 employee

38 years in business

Business hours

Sun1:00 pm - 8:00 pmMon10:00 am - 9:00 pm

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Venmo, and Zelle.

Top Pro status

Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.

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2024

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2021

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2018

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2017

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2016

Services offered
Piano type
Additional service

Voicing

Regulation

Pitch raise

Fix squeaky pedal

Projects and media

36 photos

Projects and media

36 photos

Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.

Exceptional 5.0

754 reviews

5
97%
4
2%
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Read reviews that mention:


pro avatar
Mary Ann P.
4 weeks ago

Hired on Thumbtack

Alvin was very knowledgeable and listened carefully to the history I supplied about my piano as well as to my expectations for the final outcome. He was very professional and sensitive to time and cost. The piano sounded wonderful after he completed the tuning and voicing process. I intend to work with Alvin in the future for annual tuning and any required repairs on the piano.

Details: Upright • Last piano tuning more than 2 years ago • Piano played a few times a year • More than 10 years old • Voicing • Fix sticky keys

Piano Tuning
pro avatar
MonaLisa C.
4 weeks ago

Hired on Thumbtack

Outstanding job, went over and beyond to tune our baby grand piano that is over 100 years old. Would definitely be hiring again

Details: Baby grand • Last piano tuning 1-2 years ago • Piano played a few times a year • More than 10 years old

Piano Tuning
pro avatar
Katie H.
2 weeks ago

Hired on Thumbtack

Alvin was wonderful and took my mother's dusty piano that hadn't been tuned for a few years back to looking and sounding beautiful. He was also fun to get to know!

Details: Baby grand • Piano played at least once month • More than 10 years old

Piano Tuning
pro avatar
Wilson J.
3 weeks ago

Hired on Thumbtack

Imagine I asked Mr.Alvin to come tune my Piano as the notes seated a bit from moving it to the house! This man came to intimidate me on the keys!!! Such a delight to know a real musician is tuning your piano! If you want to tune your piano in the DMV, that’s the man! Period 💥🤞 #Piano #Tune #Player

Details: Upright • Last piano tuning 1-2 years ago • Piano played at least once a week • More than 10 years old

Piano Tuning
pro avatar
Nancy L.
3 weeks ago

Hired on Thumbtack

Alvin was able to come out with a couple days of my request. He is personable and skilled, and he threw in some impromptu performances to show how good the piano sounded before and after the tuning.

Details: Upright • Piano played a few times a year • More than 10 years old

Piano Tuning
Credentials
Background Check

Alvin Smithson

FAQs

  • How did you get started doing this type of work?

    My mother was a violinist, pianist and singer. When I was 16 I either wanted to be a concert pianist or a basketball player. I chose piano because I could do it forever. I'm still an athlete and consider music and sports to be equally challenging and requires the same amount of mental and physical preparation. I love being involved in musical creation

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