Pitch raise – when the piano sits too low
If a piano goes years without tuning, a normal tuning is often not enough. Here I explain in plain words what a pitch raise is and when your instrument needs one.
What is a pitch raise?
Every string in your piano is under high tension – together they pull on the frame with many tonnes of force. When a piano is not tuned for a long time, this tension fades: the instrument drops in pitch and sounds low overall.
A pitch raise (sometimes called tuning in two passes) brings the overall tension back to the correct level before the fine tuning happens.
How do I know my piano is below pitch?
One clear sign: the piano has gone many years without tuning. It often sounds dull, lifeless or simply “off”, – most noticeably when playing together with other instruments.
I can tell you for certain at my visit: I measure the pitch and see immediately whether a correction is needed.
Why isn't a normal tuning enough?
If you raise the tension of a badly dropped piano in a single pass, the strings already tuned drift out again as the total tension shifts. So we work in two steps: first the rough correction of the overall tension, then the fine tuning.
For instruments that have sunk very low, two visits some time apart can be advisable so the instrument can settle and the tuning stays stable. I discuss this openly with you beforehand.
A pitch raise is an add-on to the normal tuning. What it costs is shown transparently on my pricing page.
View pricingPitch raise – common questions
Does a pitch raise harm my piano?
No – quite the opposite. It gently returns your instrument to the tension it was built for. I work with due care, especially on older pianos.
Does the pitch raise cost extra?
Yes, it is additional work on top of the tuning itself. I tell you beforehand whether it is needed and what the total will be – prices are on my pricing page.
How do I avoid needing one again?
Simple: have your piano tuned regularly, once or twice a year. Then the tension stays stable and another correction is rarely needed.
I'll bring your piano back into shape
No matter how long your instrument has waited – write to me and I will assess honestly what it needs.