Moving a piano is not for the faint of heart. As anyone who’s ever done it will tell you, this arduous task requires some serious manpower and preparation. The process of moving a piano is so tedious and strenuous that it has even managed to carve out its own niche in the moving industry. Nowadays, you can find moving and storage companies all over the country solely dedicated to piano moving.
Moving a Piano Is Not EASY!
This is a video of Cor Movers Preparing to move a piano in Phoenix, AZ.
With pianos you have to take your time and make sure it is wrapped and protected properly, this is an example of How to Move a Piano.
There is a right and wrong way to move, and if you’ve ever experienced the wrong way then you know the consequences. Avoid accidents, hard labor, and stress by using a well-established company who is licensed, bonded and insured like COR Movers. There is nothing we can’t move and we say this with 100% confidence.
Before the Move
Find the appropriate moving supplies and materials
First, you’ll need to make sure you have all the appropriate supplies and materials to safely and securely move the piano. For both an upright piano and a grand piano, you’ll need plenty of moving blankets for protection. After all, the last thing you want happening is a scratch (or worse!) on your valuable instrument. Tip: you can also use thick towels and blankets to cover the piano. Multiple rolls of tape will be needed to help secure the blankets in place. Moving an upright piano will also require a dolly capable of holding the piano’s weight.
Due to their size and structure, grand pianos are a bit more complicated to move and also require additional supplies. Besides moving blankets, I recommend finding the appropriate size piano board (also called a piano skid board) to handle your move. To hold your piano in place on a skid board, you’ll need straps and a screwdriver as well.
Enlist as many helpers as possible
Once you have your supplies in order, I recommend assembling a strong team of helpers. You’ll need at least four people – maybe more, depending on the size of the piano and the complexity of the move. It’s best to enlist friends, family and neighbors who have experience moving heavy items and are in relatively good shape. Make sure they’re all wearing appropriate moving clothing, as well as sneakers with good traction.
Measure doorways, staircases, and hallways
Prior to the move, you should measure any place in your home that the piano will pass through. Make sure to thoroughly measure all doorways, staircases, and hallways to assess how easy it will be to maneuver the piano and piano board through your home. It’s also a good idea to make sure doors are open, floors are properly protected, and furniture that could potentially hit the piano is removed before moving your musical instrument. If you’re worried about the piano nicking a corner or getting scratched along the way, try covering any sharp edges of the doorway with baby-proof bumpers or extra towels.
Moving the Piano
Moving an upright piano
Moving an upright piano and a grand piano both require plenty of preparation. To move an upright piano, you’ll want to protect the piano keys and piano pedals. Cover with a blanket and tape to secure. Follow by covering the piano with moving blankets, placing them on the front, back and sides. Tape all blankets to secure them in place. Once the piano is protected with moving blankets, you and your team can safely hoist the upright piano onto the dolly. When lifting the piano, be sure to have someone on all sides of the instrument. To avoid injuries, your moving team should take special precautions, making sure to bend the knees to prevent hurting their backs. Once the piano is on the dolly, carefully carry it to your moving truck.
Moving a grand piano
Before moving a grand piano, it’s especially important that you lower and secure the top lid. If you can, take a screwdriver to disassemble the piano pedals and legs. Carefully, take all legs off the grand piano. When taking the legs off the piano, make sure your team is in place to prevent the side of your piano from hitting the ground once the legs are removed. Wrap the lid, keys and all sides of the piano in moving blankets. Secure all blankets with tape. You’ll also want to wrap the piano’s legs and pedals in separate moving blankets. Make sure these pieces are safe and secure, then gently tilt the piano onto the piano board. Secure the piano to the piano board with straps. When pushing the piano board, I recommend having several team members help to prevent any accidents. After you successfully move the grand piano into your new home, you’ll need to re-assemble the legs and pedals. Make sure to have a team of people there to assist you with this part as well.
Once the move is complete, I recommend re-tuning your piano and giving it a good clean using a damp washcloth.
More Resources
Now that you know what it takes to move a piano, here are some resources that might help while you’re moving!
- Moving Tips Before You Move
- Must Read Commercial Moving Tips
- Packing and Unpacking Tips
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