houston piano tuning by Bartlett Piano Service

Referrals If you wish to add a referral to Les' website, please send them to les@bartlettpianoservice.com, and he will include them on his site, pending approval.

Dear Mr, Bartlett, My heartfelt thanks to you for the outstanding tuning of my piano. Not only is it now perfectly tuned, but also (thanks to your creative solution) cured of an annoying ailment present in my old Steinway, a veteran of many wars. For this, I am most grateful. Our belated thanks also for your careful and caring work on the occasion of the informal recital presented last year by the well-known Italian pianist, Enrico Pace. We were all very impressed with your expertise and willingness to ignore time constraints in order to resolve difficulties presented by the piano and its condition. Definitely, you are the best! Ilda Pace Restrepo

Ilda Pace RestrepoTeacher, recitalist

Les Bartlett has always been my tuner of choice and yesterday I was again thrilled by his work. He had last tuned my piano in my home three years ago and through my neglect it had not been touched by another technician or tuner during that time period. The average measurement of the tuning = -2.8 cents (0.028 off from perfect). The stability of his previous tuning three years ago withstood my neglect. I am utterly thrilled with my newly tuned piano and won't neglect it again! Dawn Bilsten

Dawn BilstenEducational Diagnostician
Cypress, TX

Dear Mr. Bartlett, You tuned my piano recently without aid of your computer...and I think it sounds terrific! I realize since it had been 9 whole years without tuning that it will likely not "hold" the tuning; so I'll be phoning for an additional tuning in a few more weeks. In the meantime, I am so enjoying the new sounds as I play and learn and experiment and improvise. Thanks so much. I appreciate your professional expertise and the time taken to get it back in shape. Appreciatively, Deb Cerkovnik

"Les regulated my Steinway B and did an excellent job. The piano is signficantly more even and this has helped my playing enormously. His work on regulating the dampers allows me to do some very sensistive half-pedaling. Most importantly, Les is willing to listen to the customer and give him/her what they want. I am very satisfied with his work and diligence."

Leslie: Thank you for working with my (Schumann) piano. It sounds better than it has in years.

During the Second Chopin Youth Competition in 2001 in Houston, the piano technician on standby was Mr. Les Bartlett. He was present and active during the two day event (which hosted 101 pianists), servicing the 9-foot Steinway piano in the most professional way. All the contestants and the audience present during the competition were highly impressed with the fact that Mr. Bartlett and the organizing committee cared so much about the prefect condition of the instrument during the young pianists’ performances. A lot of people never saw a technician who would on the spot adjust any piano problems like a tight pedal or out of tune notes. Les Bartlett added so much to our competition and helped to create an image of a world class event. Thank you Les!

Anna GolkaHMTA Piano Teacher of the Year 2003

President, Chopin Society of Houston

Hi everyone, I just had my (105 yr old) piano tuned by a real master! My poor piano had been neglected for too long, and he worked his magic and it again sounds lovely! If your's needs tuning you should consider using Leslie Bartlett! (Check out his web site, bartlettpianoservice.com)

I have had an extremely busy week but I wanted to thank you for the great job you have done getting my piano back into shape. I played this morning and can certainly tell a big difference. Les, I appreciate all you have done.

I played quite a bit last night and the piano feels like a completely different (and much better) instrument. I am working on a duet with Ronnie and the sound was so different (and much better) that I wasn't sure I was playing the right notes. My pianissimo is much better now that the action actually responds to my touch. I was starting to think there as something wrong with me.

Mr. Bartlett has some kind of magic when it comes to tuning. He was very professional when he arrived and wore a guild shirt, so I knew it was safe to let him into my home. He was quick and efficient, and even took the time to explain things to my curious little three-year-old. He also showed me how to fix a problem I was having with my "soft pedal" FOR FREE! I would give him my highest recommendations as a piano tuner. My piano played beautifully and has really retained it's tuning.

Thanks for spending time on Betsy Ross – she's an old flag, but I am happy to have her. It's been a pleasure to play a piano again, something I have not done now for 20 years.

Kielly YatesPiano owner

"I have worked with Les Bartlett many times. I have yet to meet a more dedicated and conscientious piano technician. He is highly-skilled at his craft and takes great pains to work up to the most exacting standards in the piano industry. Whenever I have called on Les to fill in for me, concert after concert, he has performed outstandingly to the satisfaction of many well-known pianists. I cannot reccommend Les Bartlett highly enough."

James KozakResident Piano Technician, Houston, Symphony

Les Bartlett is the piano tuner of choice for all the pianos at Houston Community College's Central Campus. We are so glad to have this talented tuner on board at our campus. He has somehow managed to take our collection of pianos of all ages and stages of disrepair and put them into shape so that we have several much-used and much-appreciated practice rooms. His advice is always helpful, and his work is exceptional. Besides all the technical expertise that he has at his command, he is a genuinely nice person. Many guest artists who perform on the pianos that Les Bartlett has tuned and voiced have commented favorably on his work.

Dr. Mary Carol WarwickAssistant Music Dept. Head
Houston Community College

With the passion of an artist and the precision of a surgeon, Les transformed my marvelous old Kawai grand into an instrument of inspiring beauty. I am deeply grateful for the work of Les Bartlett. Barbara Jones

Barbara JonesProfessional Accompanist

Nov 1, 2005 I recently judged the Youth Piano Competition for the Chopin Society of Houston. Les was there - 24/7 almost! - to take care of the piano for everyone. The students could play their little hearts out and never had to worry about an out-of-tune piano. It was wonderful! Thank you Les - you will never know how much you contributed to the weekend's success. Keep up the good work!

Petronel MalanGrammy nominated pianist

LES ! ! ! ! ! The minute you left I went in and played my piano. I had to run upstairs immediately to the computer to tell you how wonderful it sounds........................and feels ! ! ! I LOVE IT ! ! ! ! I'm more pleased with the way it sounds after your voicing than I've ever been. Thank you again for your interest in my piano and your willingness to drive all the way up here to service my piano. BIG THANKS ! ! ! ! Chris

Chris Strausspiano owner

Thanks for coming to tune our piano yesterday. As soon as you left my daughter and I raced to the piano to see who could get there first to be the first to try it out. I was very impressed with the sound. What a huge improvement. I'm surprised at how much better I sound now!!!

Becky Martinpiano owner

As a touring artist it is always important for me to sound good not only for the audience but for my own ear. Les has always delivered a rich and consistent tone and I will continue to use him even if the average listen can't hear what I can. I would recommend him to any who asks. Best, Matt

Matt BachrachRecording Artist

Les has kept the pianos going at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in Houston for several years. As is often the case, our pianos range from "very fine" all the way down to "kindling." I am impressed with Les's ability to care for the entire lot. Good work from a very knowledgeable and friendly technician.

Keith RossOrganist, Memorial Drive UMC

When I moved to Houston, I sought a good piano tuner. I tried two or three, but I wanted a really good one. Les Bartlett was recommended by a collegue, and I asked him to tune. I listened and observed as he worked, and when he was finished, I knew I had found the one to take care of my piano. I own a beautiful Yamaha grand, and it sometimes receives better treatment than my family (sorry, kids. I love you too). I am "persnickety" about how my piano is tuned. The work Les does is consistently exceptional, and my appreciation for him is very great. I could not help but become his friend, for he has musicianship, personality, and knowledge beside his tuning skills. His ability is well known, yet he treats each customer with care, giving more than expected. There is no better tuner in Houston. Thanks, Les, for your extraordinary work.

Vicki DoomanProfessional Accompanist

Les tuned my piano everyday while I recorded two CDs in the recording studio. His dedication to perfection is unmatched and his quality of workmanship is unequaled in the Houston area. If you need the best technician to work on your piano. He should be your guy. Jason James www.jasonjames.net

Jason JamesPianist, composer, singer

Having spent the early portion of my career as a pianist and then working in orchestra management, I knew the aural subtleties of piano tuning and demanded this skill set when hiring specialists to tune my personal piano. Mr. Bartlett has maintained my piano at concert standards for many years and I, along with my professional friends, couldn't be happier. Thank you Les.

Victor KendallDirector of Outreach at KUHF, classical radio

I want you to know that I continue to call you to care for my four grand pianos for a most important reason - I like the way that they sound when you are finished. Of course, I must add that I tried several others before calling you and they were unable to cope with my brand new American made Charles Walter grand piano. Also, one of them caused harm to one of the Kawaii grands, harm that you were able to reverse. Thank you again for your work.

Catherine TetreaultTeacher of piano, flute, and theory, Katy, TX