Moving a piano requires skill, planning, and care to ensure the instrument and everyone involved remains safe. With weights ranging from a few hundred to over a thousand pounds, pianos can be challenging to move due to their bulk and delicate internal parts. Here’s a guide to help you tackle this task with confidence.
1. Gather Your Moving Team
Moving a piano is not a solo job; it requires at least three to four people to handle its weight and balance effectively. Ask family members, friends, or even hire labor if necessary. Each person should be able to lift heavy items safely and follow instructions, as teamwork is essential to maneuver the piano without damaging it or your home.
Tip: Position each helper at a strategic point, particularly at the base and sides of the piano, ensuring stability from all angles.
2. Use the Right Equipment
To make the move manageable, use heavy-duty moving straps to keep a good grip on the piano, and a furniture dolly to support its weight. Secure the piano on the dolly using straps, ensuring it’s balanced and doesn’t tip during the move. Moving blankets and pads are also essential to protect the piano from scratches and to avoid damaging your walls and floors
Additional Tip: If renting a skid board for a grand piano, this can make it easier to keep the piano flat and stable. Check with local moving companies for rental options if you don’t want to buy these items.
3. Secure the Piano and Protect Key Areas
Close and lock the keyboard lid to prevent the keys from being damaged. For extra protection, wrap the entire piano in moving blankets, securing them with tape. Make sure corners and edges are well-covered to prevent scratches or dents if it bumps into walls or door frames.
Wrapping Tip: If the keyboard lid doesn’t lock, cover it with padding and secure with additional straps to avoid accidental opening during transport.
4. Proper Lifting Techniques
When lifting, avoid grabbing the piano by its legs, as these are fragile and can break under the pressure. Instead, place straps beneath the bottom of the piano, with one strap at each end for stability. Lifting should always be done with legs, not the back, to avoid injury. For grand pianos, disassemble parts like the legs and pedals to make the piano easier to move and reduce the risk of damage.
Reminder: Never tilt the piano on its side, as this can cause internal parts to shift or become misaligned. Always keep it as upright as possible during the move
5. Positioning Inside the Moving Truck
Inside the moving truck, place the piano at the back against a sturdy wall for added support. Secure it with additional moving straps to prevent it from shifting while in transit. This positioning protects the piano from potential bumps and provides easy access when unloading at the new location.
Bonus Tip: Use wooden planks or ramps if there’s an uneven surface in the truck to keep the piano level and secure.
Final Words
Moving a piano can be a complex process, but with the right team, tools, and strategy, it’s possible to do so without hiring professionals. By following these tips, you’ll protect both your instrument and your home, ensuring a safe, successful move.