It is an interesting case for a piano tuner to ponder. A pitch raise is usually a quick preliminary tuning in which the piano is brought up to pitch A=440 hz in a rough fashion. The tuning is done quickly so that the tension the strings exert on the sound board is evened out. After the pitch raise, the tuner must then do a proper tuning and he is able to do that because the strings are closer to where he wants them to be. It is certainly not the best scenario. The fact that the piano is in need of a pitch raise means that the piano has not been maintained. The piano is essentially used to being out of tune. That has become it’s natural state. Suddenly the owner now wants the piano in tune and so the tuner is fighting an uphill battle. He is trying to change the natural state of the piano. The tuner is trying to change the pianos habit of being out of tune.

The other difficulty with pitch raises is that strings may break. A tuner can usually tell before he exerts too much pressure on the tuning pin that the string is on the verge of breaking. If this happens the tuner has no choice but to leave that string well enough alone.

The other option to a pitch raise and the one I usually suggest is that the piano be brought up to pitch slowly over the course of 3 or 4 tunings. The piano will still be in tune with itself but may be unable to be played with other instruments. In this way the piano has time to adjust to it’s new tension. The tuning never comes as a shock and so it tends to stay in tune longer.

Conclusion: A rapid pitch raise can be done but the piano will have the tendency to want to go back to it’s natural state of “out-of -tunedness”. On the other hand, a piano can be slowly brought up over the course of 3 or 4 tunings and will maintain its tunings throughout until it reaches A=440.

I’ve had a couple interesting discussions regarding piano moving with some of my clients. The topic has been moving a piano yourself in a pickup truck with a couple strong guys or letting the pros do it. If you are considering moving a piano yourself here is a couple of things to consider.

Insurance. A professional mover has moving insurance. If the piano is damaged in an accident the piano will be covered.

Proper equipment. Some pianos weigh upwards of 900 lbs. The pros have techniques for sharp corners and stairs. Stairs is the big one. I’ve seen many a mangled piano that has been the result of naivety regarding stairs.

And lastly in most cases the movers have some comprehension of the workings of the piano therefore if anything comes apart, they will be able to fix it. Just recently after someone had self moved a baby grand the dampers wouldn’t work. During the move a toy had gotten lodged in the damper mechanism. I was there for a tuning anyway so I was able to dislodge the toy and put the piano back together in a proper fashion.

If you are considering moving your own piano please consider these points. If you are looking for an experienced piano technician in London, Ontario or surrounding area who moves pianos, call D&S Pianos.

Feb. 15 12:30
Von Kuster Hall
Mostly Messiaen, to commemorate the centenary of the composer’s birth. The Yanchus-Hibbard Piano Duo, joined by their daughter Laura Hibbard play two, four or six hands on one or two pianos!

I’ve seen them perform in the past and it is extremely exhilarating to watch them pound their keyboards. As well, they are perfectly charming people. For James Hibbards’ bio and for Tina Yanchus bio.