What is a Pitch Raise?

A pitch raise is a preliminary piano tuning performed prior to a regular tuning. Also known as a “pitch correction” or a "pre-tuning", this procedure is often associated with the term “double-tuning”.

A pitch raise changes the overall tension on your piano’s structure as a whole. A pitch correction can be one of the most ‘painful’ experiences a piano can go through, during its lifetime.

Generally, a piano that is tuned and serviced regularly does not need to receive this procedure, however:

(1) Vast changes in temperature, humidity, and atmosphere, (2) loose tuning pins, (3) heavy playing, and (4) the placement of your piano can cause the pitch to change, to fall flat or to be raised sharp, in drastic measure.

If several years have passed since your piano’s last tuning date, several pitch raises may be in order to help reestablish long-term tuning stability.

Each year that passes by your piano's pitch drops further and further away from its proper tension levels. Your piano tuner / technician must work very carefully to stretch the piano's wires ("strings") to calculated points of tension in order for the piano's pitch to rise and then fall, immediately, to its intended point of bearing - before the actual tuning takes place.

"Why perform a pitch raise?
Isn’t one tuning good enough?"

If your piano tuner / technician has informed you that your piano needs a pitch raise, you may be wondering, “Is this procedure really necessary?”  ”Isn’t one tuning good enough?”

Tuning a piano is very different from tuning a guitar, a violin, or any other stringed instrument.

Instead of tuning only 4, 6, or 12 strings respectively, there are over 220+ strings in your piano that must be adjusted and tightened, which increases pressure on the soundboard, bridges, and cast iron plate.

Each of these strings holds approximately 150-200 lbs. of tension, a combined total of 16 to 22 tons, depending on the type of piano you own. That's enough tension to lift a house off the corner of its very foundation!

A piano string can stretch and immediately drop in pitchafter being raised merely 5-10 cents sharp. This stretching over the intended pitch target  is known as "overpull". Most pianos that are (1) less than 40 years old, and have (2) been tuned less than 20x during their lifetime, will require a pitch correction to adjust its tension levels, providing the piano has not been tuned within two (2) years. 

Pianos 40 to 70 years of age will gradually lose their elasticity over time. Pianos of this age generally require only minor pitch correction(s) of <10 to 15 cents of overpull at a time, as older wires stretch sharp on their own when tuned by only a small amount, rather than fall flat, as newer wires naturally do upon tuning. 

When a new piano at the factory receive new music wires ("strings"), several tunings take place and several months will pass before the piano is released to the public for sale. 

"How many bearing points total?"

There are four to five bearing points a piano string must pass through from beginning to end - from the tuning pin at the beginning, to the hitch pin at the very end.

The first segment is located (1) between the tuning pin and the capo bar. The capo bar levels strings to neighboring strings, and gives the strings up bearing.

The second segment stretches between the (2) capo bar and the front bridge pin. This segment is the actual speaking length of the string inside your piano.

The third segment rests between the (3) front and back bridge pins - the string ‘zig-zags’ in between these pins, seated on the bridge.

The fourth and last segment is the (4) back bridge pin to the plate's hitch pin, at the end.

If your piano has (5) duplex scaling this would be a fifth segment.

All segments must bear an equal amount of tension in order to achieve a stable tuning.

A pitch raise takes time, allowing all bearing points to reach an equal amount of tension. Using firm test blows on each key while tuning, the piano tuner allows the string's tension to equalize. Playing your piano in between service calls can also help to equalize string tension as well.

"What if My Piano's Strings Have Rust, or Show Any Signs of Corrosion? How Will A Pitch Raise Affect The Strings of My Piano?"

If your piano's strings have any signs of rust or corrosion, due to being placed in a humid climate, not being covered with a string cover, or not having a protective piano cover in place, a pitch correction - or even a simple tuning for that matter - can cause piano strings to break, hence, another reason to keep your piano tuned every year, and to avoid a pitch correction altogether.

"Now what happens? My piano needs tuning how often?"

Pianos 10 to 20 cents flat - should be tuned once again in 2 months; then every 6 months thereafter.

Pianos 20 to 25 cents flat - should be tuned in 1 month; then every 6 months thereafter.

Pianos 25 cents flat or more should be tuned again in 2-4 weeks; and then tuned again in 3 months; and then every 6 months thereafter.

Pianos that receive hard use or go through many changes in temperature or humidity will require more frequent tuning.

A pitch raise can be a traumatic experience for your piano; however, through proper maintenance and regular care, you can avoid this procedure by having your piano tuned and serviced regularly.