August 28, 2026 · 3 min read
What Is a Pitch Raise — and Does My Piano Need One?
If your piano hasn't been tuned in a few years, it has likely sunk below concert pitch. Here's what a pitch raise is, why it matters, and what to expect.
When a piano goes years without tuning, it doesn’t just get a little out of tune — the whole instrument gradually sinks below standard pitch (A440). A pitch raise is the process of bringing it back up safely before the fine tuning.
Why you can’t just tune it once
Every string pulls on the piano’s frame and soundboard. Together, those strings add up to roughly 18 tons of tension. When a technician raises the pitch of one section, the extra load slightly lowers the pitch of the sections already tuned.
If the piano is only a little flat, that effect is tiny and the tuner accounts for it. But when the piano is far below pitch, a single pass can’t hit the target — by the time the last string is tuned, the first ones have moved.
How a pitch raise works
- Measure: we check how far below pitch the piano sits.
- Raise: a quick, deliberate pass that brings every string up close to its target, often slightly overshooting to compensate for the load.
- Fine tune: a careful, precise tuning on a now-stable foundation.
The result is a tuning that’s accurate and stable, rather than one that collapses within weeks.
Do I need one?
You probably do if:
- It’s been two or more years since the last tuning
- The piano was recently moved after a long period of neglect
- Notes sound noticeably lower than a keyboard app or recording
We never assume. We measure your piano’s pitch when we arrive and will always tell you before doing any extra work. See our pricing for details, or use the instant estimator to see what your piano will likely need.
