What I've learned about pitch raises, tuning stability, and working with pianos that are significantly out of tune.
Quick Answer: What Is a Piano Pitch Raise?
A piano pitch raise is a tuning procedure used when a piano has fallen significantly below its intended pitch, typically A440. When a piano is substantially flat, bringing the strings back up to pitch changes the tension throughout the instrument, which can affect notes that have already been tuned. That's why a piano may need an initial pitch correction followed by a more precise tuning. In some cases, an additional appointment is needed to achieve the stability we're looking for.
What Happens When a Piano Is Too Flat to Tune Normally?
After more than 25 years of tuning pianos, I've learned that no two service calls are exactly alike.
Sometimes I walk into a home and find a piano that's only a few cents out of tune. Those are usually pretty straightforward. Other times, I find a piano that's 20, 30, or even more cents flat, and I know we're going to have a different kind of tuning appointment.
One of the things I love about teaching at The Artisan School is being able to show our students what these situations actually look like in the field.
In one of our live mentoring sessions, I worked on an upright piano that had already received tuning work but was still approximately 15–20 cents flat.
This is exactly the kind of situation you'll encounter as a working piano technician, and it brings up some important questions.
How close to pitch does a piano need to be before we can get a really solid tuning? How much correction is too much? And how do we explain to a customer that their piano may need another appointment?
Let's talk about it.
How Flat Is Too Flat for a Standard Piano Tuning?
One of the first things I do when I arrive at a tuning appointment is evaluate where the piano is sitting in relation to standard pitch.
Most modern pianos are tuned to A440, meaning the A above middle C vibrates at 440 Hz.
We measure differences in pitch using cents, with 100 cents equaling one half step. In my experience, when a piano is only about 2–5 cents out of tune, I can usually get a really solid fine tuning.
But when we're looking at a piano that's 15 or 20 cents flat, that's a different story. During this particular demonstration, I measured one note that was approximately 25 cents flat.
That's significant! At that point, I'm not expecting to get the same quality of fine tuning that I could achieve on a piano that's already close to pitch. My first priority is getting that piano closer to where it needs to be.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for a piano is recognize that it's going to take more than one tuning to get the results you're looking for.
Why Do Pianos Go Flat in the First Place?
Pianos are incredible instruments. They're also constantly responding to the environment around them.
You've got hundreds of strings under thousands of pounds of tension, along with a wooden soundboard that responds to changes in humidity. As that wood expands and contracts, the tension on the strings changes, and so does the pitch. This is one reason pianos need regular maintenance.
When a piano goes years without tuning, it can gradually drift farther and farther away from standard pitch. When we start bringing all those strings back up to pitch, we're changing the overall tension throughout the instrument. That can affect notes we've already tuned. It's one of the reasons a pitch raise is different from a routine fine tuning. We're not just trying to make individual notes sound better. We're working with the instrument as a whole.
How Do I Approach a Piano That Needs a Pitch Raise?
The first thing I want to know is how far out of tune the piano actually is.
In the video, I'm using CyberTuner, an electronic tuning device, to take measurements and evaluate the piano. I know technicians who use PianoScope, TuneLab, PianoMeter, and other programs. They're all tools that can help us understand what's happening with the instrument.
But here's something I've learned over the years. The software is there to help you. It doesn't replace your judgment as a technician.
During this demonstration, I actually explored CyberTuner's pitch raise feature, but the software indicated that the piano was closer to pitch than the range that feature was intended for. It recommended using Smart Tune instead. And that's what I did. The important thing isn't which button you're pushing. It's understanding why you're choosing a particular approach and what you're trying to accomplish.
How to Become a Piano Technician
Learning to handle severely out-of-tune pianos is an important part of becoming a well-rounded piano technician. While basic tuning skills are essential, understanding pitch raises, tuning stability, and how to evaluate an instrument's condition is what helps technicians become more confident in the field. If you're considering a career in piano service, our guide on How to Become a Piano Technician walks through the skills, training, and experience needed to get started in this rewarding profession.
Why Is Efficiency So Important When Tuning a Piano?
One of the things I challenged myself to do during this demonstration was get through the bass section in about five minutes.
Now, why would I do that? Because when I'm working through an initial pitch correction, I don't want to spend all my time trying to make every single note perfect. I know that as I continue working through the piano, things are going to move. So I need to understand where to spend my time and where to keep moving. I like starting with the single strings in the bass, moving into the bichords, and then building momentum as I work into the trichords. There's a rhythm to it. And after you've tuned enough pianos, you start to develop a feel for how the tuning pins respond, how much movement you need, and when a note is close enough for that particular pass. I also tend to spend more time in the middle register.
Why?
Because that's where people play! That's where their hands are most of the time, and that's where tuning inconsistencies can become especially noticeable. Being a good technician isn't just about being accurate. It's about learning how to work efficiently while still producing a quality result.
Piano Tuning Technique and Posture for Beginners
One thing I always emphasize when teaching piano tuning is that good technique matters just as much as having a good ear or a reliable electronic tuning device. During a pitch raise, you're making hundreds of adjustments, and how you control the tuning hammer, move the pin, and position your body can directly affect both your efficiency and your results. Developing these habits early can make a tremendous difference in your work. For a closer look at these fundamentals, read our article on Piano Tuning Technique and Posture for Beginners.
Why Does Tuning Pin Technique Matter So Much?
One of my favorite parts of this mentoring session was a question from a student about setting tuning pins.
This is something I think every piano technician needs to spend time developing. When you're tuning a piano, you're making very small adjustments to a tuning pin that's holding a tremendous amount of string tension. And how you move that pin matters. In the video, I demonstrate a technique I've developed where I move the pin slightly sharp and then ease it back into position. On this particular piano, I can actually feel and sometimes hear a little click as the pin moves. It's almost like a ratcheting effect. Now, not every piano is going to feel the same way. An older console might respond very differently from a newer Yamaha upright.
But what I'm trying to accomplish is the same. I want to make controlled adjustments without moving that tuning pin any more than necessary. During the demonstration, I intentionally tried a different technique, using a smoother movement, just to compare how it felt.
And I didn't like it! I found myself moving the pin more than I wanted to, and I didn't have the same confidence that it was settling where I needed it. That was a great teaching moment because it gave our students an opportunity to see the difference rather than just hear me explain it.
The less unnecessary movement I can make with that tuning pin, the better.
How Much Should You Overpull a Piano String?
This is another great question that came up during the session.
When you're performing a pitch correction, you sometimes need to bring a string slightly above its intended pitch to compensate for the movement that occurs as the piano settles. That's called overpull.
But there's also a difference between calculated overpull during a pitch raise and the small adjustments we make when setting an individual tuning pin. During the demonstration, I showed what happens when I move a note too far sharp before trying to settle it back into position.
In one example, I went approximately 7–10 cents sharp. And I could feel that I was having to work harder than I wanted to in order to bring that note back down. So I started over and made a smaller adjustment.
That's one of the things I enjoy about teaching live. Sometimes a student asks a question that makes me stop, experiment, and explain exactly what I'm feeling. There's a lot of value in those moments.
Because piano tuning isn't just about watching a needle or a spinning circle on a screen. It's about developing your ears, your hands, and your understanding of how the instrument responds.
Why Might a Piano Need Another Tuning After a Pitch Raise?
One of our students asked why we sometimes recommend waiting a few weeks after a pitch raise instead of simply going through the piano again immediately.
I think that's a really important question. When we're making a significant pitch correction, we're increasing string tension throughout the instrument. And remember, we're dealing with wood, metal, strings, bridges, and a soundboard that all respond to those changes. I like to think of it as giving the piano time to adjust to what we've just asked it to do. Now, that doesn't mean we can't perform additional tuning passes during the same appointment. We often do. But when a piano has been significantly flat, there's a good chance we're going to see some additional movement afterward. For the piano in this demonstration, I discussed recommending another tuning in approximately one to three months. That gives us an opportunity to see how well the piano has maintained its pitch and make the refinements necessary to get a more stable result. Every piano is different, and part of our job is knowing when to recommend that additional service.
Mastering Tuning Stability
Getting a piano back to pitch is only part of the job. The real challenge is making sure that tuning holds. When a piano has been significantly flat for years, the changes in string tension during a pitch raise can make achieving a stable tuning particularly challenging. That's why understanding tuning pin movement, proper pin setting, and string tension is so important. I've covered these concepts in greater detail in our article, Mastering Tuning Stability, which explores the techniques that help technicians achieve more consistent, lasting results.
Should Every Piano Be Raised to A440?
Here's another situation that comes up in the field. What if you're working on an antique piano that's significantly flat? During our mentoring session, one of our students asked about an upright piano from the 1800s that was approximately half a step below standard pitch. The customer wanted it to sound better but wasn't looking to invest in extensive work. In situations like that, I think it's important to consider the instrument itself. Not every older piano should automatically be brought up to A440. Depending on its age, construction, and structural condition, it may be more appropriate to tune the piano to itself at a lower pitch. I've done that on older instruments when I felt it was the better approach. The piano can still sound good within itself, but the customer needs to understand that it may not match other instruments tuned to A440. And of course, with antique pianos, we need to be especially careful about the condition of the strings, plate, pinblock, and overall structure. Sometimes the right decision isn't to push the piano farther. It's to understand its limitations and work within them. That's part of being a professional.
Why Is Customer Communication Just as Important as Tuning Technique?
One thing I've learned over the years is that working with severely out-of-tune pianos requires more than just good tuning skills. You need to balance efficiency, tuning stability, and customer education.
Before I begin a tuning, I want to know how far the piano has drifted from pitch. And just as importantly, I want the customer to understand what we're working with. Sometimes that means explaining that their piano may need more than one appointment before we can achieve a really stable tuning.
Modern electronic tuning devices are incredible tools, but they don't replace good technique. Learning how tuning pins move, developing consistency with your tuning hammer, and understanding how to properly set a pin are skills that take time and practice. But here's something I think is just as important: knowing how to communicate with your customer. Most piano owners don't understand everything that goes into tuning a piano, and why would they? That's our job!
I've had customers who were surprised to learn that their piano needed multiple tunings. And I've certainly seen situations where someone received a free piano, only to discover that getting it into good playing condition was going to require a significant investment.
That's why I believe in being upfront with people. Explain what you're seeing, help them understand their options, and set realistic expectations. At the end of the day, our goal isn't just to tune pianos. It's to build trust, take care of our customers, and help them make good decisions about their instruments.
Key Takeaways: What I've Learned About Piano Pitch Raises
After tuning pianos for more than 25 years, here are three things I want every aspiring technician to understand.
- Know what you're working with. Evaluate the piano before you begin. Understanding how far it's out of tune will help you determine the best approach.
- Develop your technique. Tuning pin control, listening skills, and efficiency are just as important as knowing how to use an electronic tuning device.
- Set realistic expectations. Sometimes a piano needs more than one tuning. Explaining that clearly to the customer is part of providing professional service.
Frequently Asked Questions About Piano Pitch Raises
How do I know if a piano needs a pitch raise?
The best way is to measure how far the piano has drifted from its intended pitch. In my experience, pianos that are significantly flat often need an initial pitch correction before I can achieve the kind of fine tuning I'm looking for.
Is a pitch raise the same as a regular piano tuning?
Not exactly. A pitch raise focuses on correcting the piano's overall pitch, while a fine tuning focuses on achieving greater precision and stability. Depending on the instrument, both may be necessary.
Does every piano that's been neglected for years need a pitch raise?
No. I've encountered pianos that have gone years without tuning and are still surprisingly close to pitch. I've also seen pianos drift significantly in a much shorter time. You really have to evaluate each instrument individually.
Why does a piano go out of tune after a pitch raise?
When we significantly change string tension, the piano may continue responding to those adjustments. That's one reason I sometimes recommend a follow-up tuning after the initial correction.
Can you tune an old piano without bringing it to A440?
Yes, depending on the instrument. I've worked with older pianos where tuning to a lower reference pitch was a more appropriate option. The important thing is evaluating the piano's condition and understanding its limitations.
Can you learn how to perform a pitch raise online?
Absolutely. Watching experienced technicians perform real pitch corrections can help you understand the process and the decisions involved. But you also need hands-on practice to develop the listening skills, tuning hammer control, and judgment required to do the work confidently.
About the Author
David Hayes | Founder, The Artisan School
I've spent more than 25 years working as a professional piano technician and rebuilder, servicing, repairing, regulating, and restoring pianos.
I founded Artisan Piano Services in 2005 and later created The Artisan School to share the knowledge and practical skills I've developed throughout my career. My goal is to inspire pianocraft and help the next generation of technicians build rewarding careers working with their hands.
Learn more about The Artisan School.
Sources and References
- Piano Pitch Raise - PTG Resource
- Piano Technicians Guild: Professional education and resources for piano technicians.
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