Pianos come in various sizes and are one of the popular musical instruments in the world. They are amazingly versatile in terms of use in composing, rehearsal, solo performances, chamber music, ensemble use, and accompaniment among others. Pianos take up a lot of floor space and as a result are found more in homes than in small apartments. If you need to move a piano, it must be done with great care. Pianos tend to be bulky and are also quite valuable which makes moving them around corners and in elevators, a tricky thing.
Before you can move your piano, you must have all the right equipment with you. Renting is a better option for you than purchasing the equipment because you may not need it again and buying it might be a waste of your money.
1.Different Factors
Professional piano movers are likely to charge a flat rate which would be calculated based on the size and weight of the piano, the distance it is to be moved, the level of difficulty involved, the time it will take to move the piano, and any waiting time that might be involved.2.A Rare Case
If you plan to move your piano by yourself, you will need to seek the assistance of a couple of physically fit friends. They will have to be given specific instructions on how to handle the piano and its weight without causing them or the instrument any kind of harm.3.Moving Equipment
Before you can move your piano, you must have all the right equipment with you. Renting is a better option for you than purchasing the equipment because you may not need it again and buying it might be a waste of your money. Heavy duty straps to provide a hold on the piano, a furniture dolly that can support its weight, as well as padding material should figure on your shopping list. A four-wheel dolly with rubber wheels is highly suitable for moving a piano. A truck which is big enough to hold the piano will also have to be rented if you are moving the piano to another address.4.Protecting the Piano
You must close and lock the piano’s keyboard lid before moving it to ensure that the fragile keys are not damaged in any way. The piano must be wrapped in padding that is secured with tape so that the body of the piano does not become scratched or chipped while being moved. You can also use protective plastic over the padding for added security if you wish.5.Shifting the Piano
A piano should never be lifted by its legs and you should not wrap any straps around them or tie them down. The piano should be always kept in the upright position as laying it on its side might disturb its internal mechanics. You can put the straps under the piano and have one person each hold one end of one strap. This means you will need at least four people to do the job right. Then the piano should be lifted on to the furniture dolly and secured tightly. While moving it to the vehicle or its new location ensures that you hold on to the handle all the time. Watch out for door jambs and thresholds which can make it a bumpy ride.6.Protecting the Piano
In the van, you should place the piano against the back wall to ensure maximum stability in a moving vehicle. You can put in planks on the floor of the van to make the floor level and prevent strain on the piano legs and casters. Once you are at your destination, make sure the new spot for your piano is a good one. It should not be placed some place where it is too cold or too hot. The best spot for a piano is usually against the wall (this refers to flat sided pianos). Once the piano is set down in its place, it needs to be tuned again before it can be played.7.Precautions
You must be careful not to tip over the piano as this can injure someone. Since most of the weight of a piano is located towards it back, it has a tendency to tilt over (this is for rectangle or flat sided pianos). Even if your piano has metal casters, do not try to push it around. Those casters are mainly decorative and can break off if you try to push the piano around.
