Moving a piano takes planning and effort. Pianos are very heavy, and their finishes are very vulnerable to scratches, cuts and knocks. A small upright piano can weigh over 150kg, a grand piano can easily weigh over 450kg, while older upright pianos tend to be even heavier, making them unstable and difficult to move. Follow these steps to be able to move any piano efficiently and safely.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Moving a Spinet Piano
Step 1. Get to know your piano
The spinet piano is the smallest type that can be found in the home. Produced from the 1930s until the end of the last century, its small size is achieved thanks to a series of ingenious internal mechanisms. They are not very tall, usually never exceeding 90 cm in height, while they are about the same width as traditional upright pianos (about 147 cm).
Despite their size, they weigh at least 130 kg, so moving them is not an operation to be taken lightly
Step 2. Plan your route
Before starting to move the plan, think about the path from start to finish, and communicate it to those who will have to help you.
- Using a tape measure, make sure the spinet goes through all the doors and passages you will find along the way.
- If you need to move the floor to a moving truck, make sure you have the truck open and with the loading ramps in place before you begin; plan to move the top before other lighter pieces of furniture, in order to have more space to arrange it.
- For safety reasons, it is necessary to have one person for every 45 kg of each piano that you want to move. That way you might end up having more people than you need, but it's always helpful to have a person who can open doors or help, in case someone feels too fatigued.
Step 3. Prepare the plan
Attach the keyboard and spinet covers, if any. Wrap the floor with blankets or moving packing sheets, then use duct tape to secure everything around the instrument. This way you will avoid scratches and dents on the corners and trims.
Step 4. Move the plane
The low profile of the spinet allows it to be moved with relative ease. With the help of as many people as you feel necessary, have each one lift a different part of the piano at the same time. Make sure everyone is pushing hard on the central body of the piano. With small, slow steps, take the plan to its destination.
Don't hold the piano up more than a few feet at a time, and stop often to readjust your grip
Part 2 of 4: Moving an Upright Piano or a Studio Piano
Step 1. Get to know your piano
Upright pianos are among the most popular. They are usually around 147cm wide, and despite the differences, both the studio and the actual upright can be moved using the same method.
- A "studio" piano is smaller and usually weighs between 180 and 270 kg.
- An upright piano, on the other hand, can weigh up to 450 kg.
- The center of gravity of the studio piano is also lower than that of the upright piano, since the first has a height of 120 cm, against 150 cm of the second.
Step 2. Plan your route
Start by clearing the path you will have to tackle and measure all the doors to make sure the floor gets through.
- Make sure you have the moving truck open and with the ramps in place if that's where you need to transport the floor.
- Try to have a person to help you for every 45 kg of weight of the piano.
- Make sure all your helpers are wearing heavy duty leather work gloves, and if possible also weight lifting belts to prevent back strain.
Step 3. Prepare the plan
Unlike the spinet, this type of piano is too heavy and bulky to be moved without the aid of a trolley. Once the piano is sealed and packed, move the trolley to the side of the piano and, with the help of your team, tilt the instrument slightly to rest it on the trolley.
- Most people should stand behind the table to support its weight as it is tilted back, and to its sides to make it lean evenly. This is especially important for larger upright pianos, as they tend to be heavier on top.
- Don't let gravity help you; gently place the plan on the trolley with the help of your work team.
Step 4. Move the piano
While your helpers support the weight of the piano based on its center of gravity, slowly drag the cart to its destination.
- If the floor placed on the trolley is too high to pass through a door, you will have to lift it by hand and slide it a little at a time to overcome the obstacle. Once through the door, reposition it correctly on the cart before continuing to move it.
- The correct way to lift an object is to squat, keep your back straight, and lift the weight with your legs. Make sure everyone who helps you follows these guidelines.
- If you should feel that the piano is not in perfect balance, yell "Stop!" and ask the others to gently place the piano on the ground. Make the necessary changes to the position of the cart or your team and try again.
Part 3 of 4: Moving a Grand Piano
Step 1. Get to know your piano
A grand piano is long and low, which gives it a better sound than upright pianos, but which also makes it much bulkier. For this reason it is rare to find a grand piano in private homes.
Grand pianos, like upright pianos, are divided according to size into "pigtail" pianos, which can weigh up to 220 kg, "concert" grand pianos, which is the largest variant and can reach weighing up to 600 kg and measuring up to 2.7 m. Moving a grand piano requires a series of basic steps
Step 2. Plan your route
As always, clearing the path and taking measurements are the first thing to do in order to successfully move a grand piano.
- Due to the size of the grand piano, it is usually moved by dragging it to one side; therefore make sure that the doors you will have to pass through are several centimeters higher than the side length of the floor.
- If the floor is too deep to fit through a door with several inches of waste, you will need professional help.
Step 3. Prepare the piano
This is where moving a grand piano becomes more complicated than moving an upright piano. The safest way to move a grand piano (and the method used by industry professionals) is to load it onto a roller slide. With help from as many people as possible, lift the left corner of the piano and unscrew or remove that leg. Gently lay down the piano and wrap your leg in some blankets; at this point, with the help of your team, pack the rest of the legs and the body of the piano as well.
- If you don't have a roller slide you should be able to rent one from a store that specializes in moving accessories.
- Make sure the keyboard cover and top cover are closed and secure.
Step 4. Move the plane
Gently lift the piano from the back, and at the same time lift the front trying to stay at the same level. Once the top has been firmly placed on the slide, it can be moved by gently pushing from the back, and at the same time dragging it from the front. The other helpers should stand to the sides in case there is any wobbling.
- The goal is to place the piano vertically on the slide, with the left side (the one with the lowest notes) resting and the right side pointing upwards, and with the keyboard vertically.
- Remember that the piano is heavier on the left side, so the center of gravity will be shifted in that direction and not perfectly in the center.
Part 4 of 4: Tips for Moving a Piano to Multiple Floors
Step 1. Get professionals
The safest way to move a piano up or down a flight of stairs is to consult with a professional. The size of the piano, its weight and its unbalanced center of gravity make it a very dangerous object to move vertically, and for inexperienced hands it is a very complex undertaking.
Step 2. Use whatever equipment you can find
Go to a store that specializes in moving products and have someone help you choose the best tools to move your piano.
- A piano or furniture trolley with straps can be useful for making stairs easier.
- A slide specially designed for moving pianos is also a great idea.
Step 3. Know the scale
Find out everything you can about its age, design and composition. The ladder may not be suitable for supporting the weight of a 300 kg piano and 4-5 people at the same time, and in this case the operation must be canceled. It is best to inform yourself in time before you risk causing damage to the building and people.
Step 4. Support the lower part
If for any reason you decide not to hire a professional to move your piano, remember that the part that is lower down as you carry it up the stairs will be even heavier than it is on a flat surface.
- Most of the people who help you move the plane should stand next to its lower half in order to keep it balanced. However, no one should stand directly behind the piano without escape, as a simple mistake by someone could mean being crushed by the weight of the piano.
- Make sure everyone can move around easily in case of loss of control of the piano.
Step 5. Move slowly
Even more so than in horizontal movements, making regular stops to rest and adjust your grip is very important when moving on stairs. Organize your work so that you stop at each step, gently place the top, readjust your grip and continue with the next step. By moving slowly and methodically, you will always have a solid grip on the plan and reduce the risk of injury.
Step 6. Pay attention to landings
At each landing, even if you use a slide or trolley, you may have to turn or flip the floor in order to make the turn. A few strong and well-balanced people may be enough for this operation; just make sure everyone has enough space to move around and plant their feet firmly on the ground.
Advice
- Wrap the pre-packed hob with a layer of plastic if you need to move outside, to avoid damage from rain.
- If someone needs to rest, they must warn them a few seconds in advance, so that everyone can put the piano down at the same time.
- A piano should be moved by keeping it tilted to one side.
- Always round up the number of people needed.
- If the piano is to be loaded on a truck, be sure to secure it inside to avoid damage.
- Communication is essential. Speak loudly, clearly and frequently to ensure safe and unforeseen work.
Warnings
- Do not push the piano onto its legs. You could damage the floor and almost certainly ruin the floor.
- Never try to grab a piano as it falls. If the plane gets out of balance and falls, it is best to move. If a plan falls on you, you could be injured or even die.
- As mentioned above, moving a piano up or down stairs is a professional operation. Only try to do it yourself if you have good reasons not to go to a specialist.
- Unlike upright pianos, it is generally not recommended to move grand pianos independently, as preparation, strength, and a general understanding of the laws of inertia are required. Grand pianos are very fragile and could get damaged when moving due to their unusual size and shape. If you really want to move a grand piano on your own, make sure you and everyone who will help you are fit and well rested.
