“The piano ain’t got no wrong notes”-Thelonious Monk

Are you a piano lover and want to Piano Move ? Well, we don’t see any reason for not loving it as it never fails to pull the string of our hearts. If preserved and handled properly, the instrument can be passed on to generations.

Here’s another question that arises “How to safely execute the piano relocation”? Moving a piano, no matter what size is an intricate task. It has around 10 thousand moving parts and components and approximately 230 strings. The inner working of the piano should never be disturbed. So you need to do thorough research on the safe execution of a piano move.

If you are planning a long-distance move or a short one, the risks are the same. Read the following do’s and don’ts of moving a piano and get an idea of the process.

The instrument: Types, weight, and functionality

The first and foremost step of moving a piano is to know your instrument inside out. It is as complicated as any modern appliance we have got at home. As mentioned above, it has 10,000 moving parts with 230 strings, each performing a function of its own. There a two major types of acoustic piano:

1. Grand Piano

The most commonly found type of piano is the grand piano. They are characterized as grand because of their shape and the space they occupy. The strings and soundboard lay horizontally making a harp shape. They have got different marketing names such as Gallery Grands, Parlor Grands, Studio Grands, and Baby Grands.

There are no official guidelines to these names although a grand piano under 5’ long is generally accepted as a Baby Grand. Grand pianos range from around 4’7” up to 9’ for Concert Grands.

2. Upright Piano

Upright pianos are generally 48” and over. These pianos pretty much function like a grand piano without taking up as much space.

Hire Professional Piano Movers:

Moving a piano using a DIY method is not a good idea. You may have the strength and people to help you move it but not the right equipment. You will realize this fact when the piano moving company briefs you about the details involved in the process. So it’s always a good idea to hire a professional piano moving company that will not only execute the task with due diligence but also liberate you from the hassle to focus on the other aspects of the move.

Do’s of a piano move

In-Home Piano Relocation

To safely relocate piano from one part of the house to the other, you may need the help of professional piano movers and make sure they follow the following protocols:

  1. Protect the sensitive parts of the piano:

You would never want to damage the keys and other sensitive parts of the piano. Would you? So before moving it make sure to cover the keys and seal the lid.

2. Weigh your instrument:

The weight of the instrument can be located on the manufacturer’s label or can be asked from the company directly.

3. Keep Dimensions of Everything Involved in the move in consideration:

Precision is the key to a successful piano move. Measure your instrument, doors, hallways, and staircases to make sure it doesn’t get stuck or damaged.

4. Detach the legs and other parts if it doesn’t fit through the doors:

If your piano has detachable parts, it’s always a good idea to remove them to lighten the bulk.

5. Remove everything in the way:

You won’t ever want to bump into obstacles while moving such a huge thing. Better be safe than sorry and clear the way for the move.

Long-Distance Move:

All of the above-mentioned protocols also apply here in addition to:

  1. Piano Insurance:

The most crucial part of the long-distance piano move is the piano insurance. It’s always suggested to buy piano insurance as it can cost you double the amount if the instrument gets damaged.

2. Pack your piano properly:

The piano goes through a number of steps before reaching the destination. It has to be loaded via ramps to the truck and unloaded in the same manner. You need to make sure it is wrapped in slip-resistant packing blankets and secured by packing cords.

3. Specify the new location of the instrument to the piano moving company:

You should know where the piano should go. Unlike the other pieces of furniture, piano moving is really a challenging task so choose the new location beforehand.

4. Tune the piano after the move:

No matter how smooth the move goes, the piano still needs to be tuned. Differences in atmospheric pressure and humidity may detune an instrument. Hence it is recommended to consult an expert to tune your piano.

Dont’s of a Piano Move:

1.Don’t plan a DIY move without the right equipment:

It’s always a good idea to hire a professional piano moving company no matter what your budget is. Most of the time the DIY method of the piano move fails and cost double the price of the instrument to the owner.

2. Don’t push the piano on the castors:

Pianos have these decorative wheels which are only suitable for short moves. It’s always suggested not to rely on these castors rather use moving dollies to transport them from one place to another.

3. Don’t underestimate the weight of the piano:

One of the most serious mistakes instrument owners make is misjudging the weight and size of a piano. The weight of an upright model is up to 800 pounds, while a smaller one may weigh 300 pounds or less. The grand piano weighs somewhere between 1200-1500 pounds and a baby grand weighs around 500-600 pounds. To properly plan your piano move it is crucial to know the instrument from every aspect.

So these are all the instructions you need to know while planning a piano move.

Looking for a reliable piano moving company? Call today to request a no-obligation consultation with one of our moving coordinators or use our online contact form to request a free estimate.