The place of piano tuning theory

Piano tuning theory provides an understanding of the techniques and strategies necessary for fine tuning. However, tuning in practice is an art - science provides the prescription for its basis, but it is not something for which science can prescribe ultimately 'correct' results. 

One would expect to find in the best musicians and artists a sound knowledge of technique and theory . Great painters, for example, will have a theoretical knowledge of sciagraphy, colour theory, perspective, geometry, etc. Knowledge of all these is employed by the painter, and all these can be studied as exact sciences, but this does not mean we ultimately use science to measure the excellence of a painting. Theory and technique are tools, intelligently employed by the artist.

The same applies to piano tuning. It can be treated as a task, or as an art. The finest tuners will treat it as the latter. Piano tuning is an 'abstract art' in the sense that it does not represent, but it is still an art - one of 'sonic sculpturing' within a particular, limiting medium. Where the application of certain theoretical principles are missing from its basis, it will indeed be inferior, like a painting by an artist who does not understand the relationship of colours. But where all the theoretical foundations are in place, the rest is a matter of art, not theory.

The art of piano tuning

Six myths about piano tuning

The piano tuner technicians' area

Why are pianos tuned in equal temperament?

What makes a piano string vibrate?

In more depth:

On falseness and paradigms for the nature of piano tuning