Piano Moving
Owning a piano means investing time, energy, and space for a valuable possession. Due to this lofty investment, when it comes to moving a piano into a new space, no shortcuts should be allowed. Moving this particular instrument is not a casual event. As anyone who’s ever done it will tell you, this arduous task requires some serious manpower and preparation. The following includes tips and tricks to ensure your treasured piano is moved properly.
Planning and Prep
The materials used to move a piano are both common and unique. Moving blankets are common for other large pieces of furniture and are a must-have for moving pianos to ensure no scratches. However, unique to moving pianos, is the need for a piano skid board. This skid board will protect both your floors and piano from unnecessary scratching. Once you have the materials, you will need to enlist friends or a moving company to transport it. Moving a piano is not a one-person job! The final step of preparation is to measure all doorways, staircases, and hallways that are along the moving path.
Moving the Piano
The two main designs of pianos are grand and upright. Moving an upright piano is simpler than a grand, but both require certain steps.
To move an upright piano:
- Tape the keys and pedals, and cover with a blanket
- Tape all sides and corners, and cover with a blanket
- Place the upright piano on a dolly and ask others to help you guide the dolly
To move a grand piano:
- Lower and secure the top lid
- Remove the legs and pedals if possible
- Tape the lid, key, and all sides and corners, and cover with a blanket
- Secure the piano to the piano board with straps and move the piano with the help of a team
Moving pianos is challenging. Making a mistake can be costly, not to mention dangerous. In fact, Cal’s Moving Help does not move pianos! We strongly recommend that you hire piano moving specialists. For everything else, contact us!