Pitch & Sound
What is a pitch raise?
When a piano has drifted well below standard pitch, a pitch raise brings it back to A-440 — usually followed by a fine tuning.
What is a pitch raise?
A pitch raise is the process of raising (or, in the case of a pitch drop, lowering) the overall pitch of the piano to bring it to A-440, international pitch.
Why does A-440 matter?
Pianos built since around 1930 are designed to be tuned to A-440 (the A above middle C resonating at 440 cycles per second). Tuning lower or higher makes a piano unstable and can damage it. Staying at A-440 also lets your piano play in tune with other instruments without retuning.
Why did my piano “go flat”?
The most common reason a piano's pitch drops is simply going too long without tuning — the strings stretch and relax, and the pitch falls. The longer since the last tuning, the further it must be raised. Servicing every 6–12 months is generally adequate to maintain pitch. (Interesting fact: each string is pulled to over 200 pounds of tension, for a total of more than 20 tons on the piano.)
Why a pitch raise and a tuning?
A pitch raise is essentially a quick, rough tuning that brings the strings up to pitch — but they stretch quickly and the added tension compresses the soundboard, pulling the pitch back down within minutes. A skilled technician anticipates that drop so the follow-up tuning lands accurately, leaving the piano both at correct pitch and in tune.
Will more work be needed?
Most likely, yes. The initial pitch raise and tuning remove most of the strings' excess elasticity, but not all. Over the following weeks they keep stretching and slowly drift flat, so a follow-up tuning is usually needed to stabilize. Regular six-month tunings over the next year or two complete the process, with the piano holding pitch better every time.
What about cost?
A pitch raise and tuning generally costs about one-and-a-half times a normal tuning fee — which saves money compared to tuning the piano twice within a week or two, each at full price.