Been a while since your last piano tuning?

If you answered yes, than your piano may require a "pitch raise" tuning. Most major piano manufacturers suggest that their pianos be tuned at least twice a year (every 6 months) and if you play hard or frequently maybe even more often.

the long and the short of it is that if your piano hasn't been tuned in a few years it may need a pitch raise. This type of tuning is required due to the piano strings/wires loosing tension after a while and therefore dropping off of proper A440 pitch.

A pitch raise tuning involves tightening each string and bringing it back to the proper tension. The reason that it is so important for your piano to stay at proper pitch is that there are certain "tension dependent" portions of your piano (such as the sound board, harp and even the case to a degree). These elements require that a certain tension be placed on them in order for them to stay as the manufacturers intended.

I have actually seen piano sound boards crack due to uneven and improper tension amounts being placed on the strings! This makes for a very expensive repair but is easily avoided!

The best bet is to have your piano tuned by a professional at least twice a year whether it is played or not. This ensures that your piano will stay in great shape for generations to come!