High Stakes, Higher Notes: The Fun of Pitch Raising in Piano Tuning!

So your piano hasn’t been tuned since the last ice age? Don’t worry — you’re not alone. And if you’ve finally called in a tuner (or decided to become one yourself), you might hear a curious phrase: “This piano needs a pitch raise.”

Wait... raise the what now?

What’s a Pitch Raise, Anyway?

A pitch raise is like a musical makeover for your piano. Over time, especially if it’s been years since the last tuning, a piano's strings stretch and the overall pitch drops below standard tuning (A=440 Hz). When that happens, a regular tuning won’t cut it — the whole piano has to be pulled back up to pitch first. That’s the pitch raise!

Think of it like getting your car up to speed before switching on cruise control. No one wants a piano that’s sharp on the top and flat on the bottom — unless you’re composing “Waltz of the Confused Keys.”

How Does It Work?

Your tuner will go over the piano quickly, adjusting the tension of the strings to raise them close to standard pitch. It’s not perfect — it’s more like roughing in the shape before the fine-tuning happens. Then, once the piano has adjusted to the new tension (cue your piano groaning internally), the tuner goes back and gives it a proper, stable tuning.

Why Not Just Tune It Normally?

Good question, If your piano is too far below pitch, trying to tune it directly can cause uneven tension and instability. It’s like trying to frost a cake that’s still in the oven — messy and not very effective.

Also, sudden big changes in tension without a pitch raise can risk broken strings, unhappy soundboards.

The Fun Part?

Hearing your piano rise from the depths is like watching it come back to life. The sound gets brighter, the chords more crisp, and suddenly… it's like you’re playing on a concert grand instead of a haunted saloon upright.

So the next time someone tells you your piano needs a pitch raise, just smile and say:
“Let’s lift it up and make it sing again!”

Need help figuring out if your piano needs a pitch raise? Ask your local tuner — or listen closely. If your C sounds more like a B and your dog tilts its head when you play... it might be time.