How does a piano tuner use a tuning fork to adjust a piano wire to a certain fundamental frequency?

They use beat frequencies between the fork and the wire. For example, if the fork oscillates at 440 Hz, and the piano note at 441 Hz, there will be an audible beat note at the difference, 1 Hz. If the note is supposed to be 440 Hz, the tuner adjusts the tension while hitting the key until the beat note disappears.Other methods, if the note is supposed to be 445 Hz, the tuner counts the beat notes and checks for a 5 hz beat note, ie, 5 per second.
You can also work with harmonics, and do other tricks to adjust various keys.

What is a good electronic piano for a beginner?
Yamaha is a good one to start with. About 5 years ago, they came out with the DGX line of pianos. The 88 key version of it (DGX-500) is lightly weighted. It's a first generation model. They've since come out with the 505 and 510 models. Each of these sound exactly identical to the original, but with a few more bell and whistles that you probably don't need. You can find the original model on ebay for about $350 which is very reasonable, and it sounds amazing for the price.

How to Choose Between Digital or Acoustic Piano?
Digital pianos are electronic devices that use sound chips and speakers to reproduce piano sounds. Some may have eight octaves, but they may have only six, or even as few as four. Four octaves will allow you to play simple tunes, but six or more octaves will be required if you want to study music seriously.

The tone and touch of an acoustic piano is usually far superior to a digital piano. Acoustic pianos have a large number of black and white keys, spanning up to eight octaves. Acoustic pianos create a natural reverberation in the room where they are played.
Most digital pianos have a MIDI output which allows you to connect them to a computer via an inexpensive interface, which allows you to record and edit your playing and add additional parts, as well as control other instruments.

How to Select Your Steinway Piano?

No two Steinway pianos are alike. Since 1853, Steinway has hand-crafted every piano to bring out it's individuality. As individuals, we each have special characteristics that appeal to others. So each Steinway has its special Characteristics too. The question you should focus on is that which Steinway piano meets your particular expectations, needs and personality. Let's take a look at  the 4 S's of Selecting a steinway piano.

Style – Consider the style and felling you want to convey in the room in which you will place the piano. If the room is designed in a specific period style, you may want to search for a design to match the setting. You can have the option to go with the timeless tradition look or the classic ebony spade leg. For a look that conveys a professional and understated elegance, an ebony piano finish is a good choice.

Size – The size of the Steinway is a important consideration. A 9ft Concert Grand in a 15'x15' room is as out of place as a 45" vertical piano on the stage of Carnegie Hall. A good general rule is that if a piano is selected for its tonal quality and harmonic richness, you will want to get the largest instrument possible for the room. As a good recommendation,  it is generally best if a room is at least four times the size of the instrument.

Sound – The importance of the sound of the instrument is first and foremost. The sound of the Steinway piano can be categorized in many areas. Some break it down into clarity, richness, level of brilliance, depth and even loudness. The soul of the piano is what you hear and feel after the initial impact of the hammer. Some pianos will sound warm, some shallow and others will sound deep. The quality of the piano is dependent on the sum of the parts of the piano, especially the woods. Even though the same quality and species of structural wood are used for every Steinway piano, the sounds are different because the woods vary. No two trees are alike, just as no two people are alike.There is no good or bad sound. There is only the sound that you prefer as you are the final decision-maker here.

Sensation – The term sensation means the touch or feel of the keys. This is an important area of concern for pianists. Once the tone (sound) is selected, the touch is next to be considered. All Steinway pianos have a specially designed action to allow the performer the greatest control over the tone of the piano. The weight of the keys can be described as the amount of energy that one must exert to get the key moving. As a general rule of thumb it is best to select a key weight and resistance (touch/sensation) that will afford you control of the keyboard comfortably.

Keep in mind of the 4'S when selecting a Steinway piano.
 

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