Pitch Adjustments
If the piano is more than slightly flat or sharp (below or above A-440 pitch), it will probably need a pitch adjustment.
It is standard to do this adjustment when the pitch is more than 2 cents out of tune (438- or 442+). It is called a pitch raise for short as being flat is the more common condition of an out of tune piano.
The pitch raise is, therefore, a very rough tuning which gets the tension on the strings close to what they should be, preparing the piano for a fine tuning which will stay "on pitch." Because of the extra time involved as well as the skill, technicians charge extra for this service. Generally, a tuning after a "radical" pitch raise will not be as stable as a tuning on a piano that was only slightly out of tune. This is one reason to have your piano tuned regularly.
The article below from the Piano Technicians Guild will explain the reason and procedure even more clearly.
It is standard to do this adjustment when the pitch is more than 2 cents out of tune (438- or 442+). It is called a pitch raise for short as being flat is the more common condition of an out of tune piano.
The pitch raise is, therefore, a very rough tuning which gets the tension on the strings close to what they should be, preparing the piano for a fine tuning which will stay "on pitch." Because of the extra time involved as well as the skill, technicians charge extra for this service. Generally, a tuning after a "radical" pitch raise will not be as stable as a tuning on a piano that was only slightly out of tune. This is one reason to have your piano tuned regularly.
The article below from the Piano Technicians Guild will explain the reason and procedure even more clearly.