Helping your piano safely climb back to concert pitch—one step at a time.
Why a Pitch Raise Matters
We visited a family in Sandy last winter who had just inherited a 100-year-old upright. It hadn’t been tuned in decades, and when we checked the pitch, it was nearly a half-step flat. The daughter was starting piano lessons, and the family was excited—but they were shocked to learn that tuning it once wouldn’t cut it.
That’s where a pitch raise comes in.
Pianos that are severely out of tune—usually more than 20 cents flat—can’t jump straight to concert pitch (A440) in one tuning. Doing so can damage the structure or cause it to drift quickly back out of tune. A pitch raise is a rough adjustment that safely increases the tension across the strings before a finer tuning is done.
It’s like stretching before a workout—you wouldn’t run a marathon without warming up. Your piano shouldn’t either.
What Is Pitch Raise Piano Tuning?
Pitch raising is a two-part process:
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A quick but calculated tuning is done to increase the pitch closer to A440. This redistributes the tension evenly across all strings and helps stabilize the instrument.
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Once the piano adjusts to this new tension (often within minutes to hours), a full fine-tuning is performed to lock in the correct pitch.
This method prevents your piano from going sharp or flat immediately after tuning, and avoids unnecessary strain on the frame and soundboard.
Signs Your Piano Might Need a Pitch Raise
We recommend pitch raising when a piano:
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Hasn’t been tuned in 2+ years
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Has been stored in garages, basements, or other unstable environments
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Sounds significantly flat when played against other instruments
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Has dropped far below concert pitch (A440)
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Is a recent purchase or inheritance
If you're not sure, we’ll measure the current pitch and let you know if it’s necessary. We only recommend a pitch raise when it’s truly needed.
Areas We Serve Along the Wasatch Front
We provide pitch raise tuning in Salt Lake City and throughout the region:
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Draper
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Millcreek
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Holladay
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South Jordan
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Sandy
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Cottonwood Heights
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Bountiful
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Ogden
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Provo
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West Valley City
Utah’s dry climate and elevation shifts make pitch drift more common than most people realize—especially if your piano hasn’t been regularly maintained.
What to Expect When You Book
Our technician will:
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Evaluate your piano’s current pitch
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Let you know if a pitch raise is needed and why
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Carefully perform the pitch raise tuning
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Allow time for the instrument to settle
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Complete a full fine-tuning afterward (either in the same visit or during a follow-up if needed)
We’ll explain each step clearly and won’t proceed without your go-ahead. No surprises, no pressure—just honest piano care.
Real Experiences from Utah Clients
“We bought a piano off KSL in Ogden. It looked great but sounded terrible. The technician explained the pitch was way off and did a pitch raise. A week later, he came back for a final tuning. Now it sounds brand new.”
— Kelly M., Ogden
“They told me upfront that my piano would need more than one visit, but they were super fair about pricing. The pitch raise brought it back to life, and it holds tune better than I expected.”
— James S., Provo
How to Schedule Your Pitch Raise
We keep things simple. You can schedule your pitch raise piano tuning or get a free quote online at:
👉 https://www.tetonmusic.com/pages/schedule-utah-piano-tuners
Or just give us a call at 801.808.9396. We’ll answer your questions, check your piano’s current condition, and let you know what it’ll take to get it back in tune.