What is a Pitch Raise?
A pitch raise is a tuning process used when a piano has dropped significantly below standard pitch.
Over time, piano strings slowly lose tension. This happens naturally due to changes in temperature and humidity, regular playing, or long periods without tuning. When this happens, the entire piano goes flat (lower in pitch), not just a few notes.
If a piano is too far below standard pitch, it cannot be accurately tuned in a single pass. Bringing all the strings straight up to pitch at once would cause the earlier notes to drift flat again as the tension redistributes across the instrument.
A pitch raise gently and progressively brings the piano back toward standard pitch over two tuning passes, allowing the string tension to stabilise. A third tuning pass is then carried out to fine-tune the piano accurately once it has settled.
When is a Pitch Raise Needed?
A pitch raise is usually required when:
A piano has not been tuned for a long time
The piano has been moved to a new environment
There have been significant changes in temperature or humidity
The piano sounds noticeably flat compared to other instruments
This is common and completely normal, especially for pianos that are tuned irregularly.
Why is a Pitch Raise Important?
A pitch raise:
Protects the piano from unnecessary stress
Allows the piano to hold its tuning properly
Ensures accurate tuning across the entire keyboard
Skipping a pitch raise when one is needed can result in an unstable tuning that does not last.
What Should I Expect?
If your piano requires a pitch raise, this will usually involve three tuning passes. The first two tunings are used to raise the overall pitch gradually, and the third tuning is a fine tune to achieve accurate, stable results.
This process will always be explained in advance so you know exactly what to expect.