How to move a piano?
Posted on juin 3, 2014 by Frank
The moving is a huge hassle for people you decide to leave their former home. The fridge or the couch are often viewed as the hardest furniture to move, since they are quite heavy and require a lot of caution to avoid damaging them. Piano players don’t care about their fridge, though, because they have much heavier problems to face: the need to get their beloved instrument past a long and narrow set of stairs, for example!
It is not always recommended to move a piano yourself; in fact, in most cases, that could prove to be very dangerous for you and for the instrument. In this article, we will study a bit more in details how you can do so and in which cases you should hire pros.
Understand the center of gravity and the type of instrument
There are different types of piano with different centers of gravity. This means that it can react differently and that some of them are less stable than others when going down the stairs. Grand pianos have a different sense of inertia than their smaller counterparts, which could cause you a lot of trouble if you do not watch out!
There are different moving techniques based on the size and weight of the piano you would like to move. Please have a look at http://www.wikihow.com/Move-a-Piano for a few pointers on this topic.
Does the piano fit in the stairs?
First of all, in almost any situation where you have to move down stairs, it is preferable to hire experts. It is quite complicated to evaluate whether a piano can get through – or not – the staircase because the measurements have to be taken in a specific way. Even if you are 6 feet tall and you are able to go down the stairs, a 5 feet tall piano could cause issues because of the way it will be carried.
For a few pictures about “does my piano fit in the stairs” have a look at http://www.transportaccord.com/en/piano-moving.html. This company (MoveNTune), which operates in Montreal, shows that things are not as easy as they seem.
What if it’s too big?
The measurements show you that it will not be able to go down? First of all, this raises a pretty funny question: how were you – or the previous owners – able to move it upstairs in the first place?
Do not worry; there are two options when it comes to getting past that hurdle:
- Using a crane. Yes, it is a drastic measure but most piano moving companies have access to a crane when they need to do that big job. Be assured that your instrument will be protected accordingly so that the hoisting and craning will not damage the paint or the mechanics.
- Dismantling the piano. This is a tough choice to make but professionals will be able to dismantle a piano and put it back together after. This might not be offered by all movers, though, so make sure you ask before presuming about it.
So, when should I move it myself?
If you want to play it very safely, never move the piano yourself. If you have a slightly higher risk tolerance, very bulky friends and a lot of patience, you could attempt to move a spinet piano, which Is probably the smallest version available on the market. It weights close to 300-400 pounds, so with the help of three other people, you have a shot at succeeding.
Of course, follow the tips mentioned in the E-how article, especially when it comes to planning your rout (some doors could make you swear). You should also wrap the piano in very thick blankets and tape them solidly so that its beautiful finish will not be worn out during the process. The last recommendation would be to stop every few feet to take a break and reset your grip.
A few final tips about piano moving
Do not leave this page without taking account of the following tips:
- You should, never, NEVER try to stop a piano that is falling down the stairs (or falling in any sense). It is too heavy to be stopped in its track and you could severely be injured or die if you attempt it.
- Keep in mind that all movers do not have the same insurance coverage. Make sure that the full value of your piano will be covered in case there is an accident, and have a paper that proves it. You can also make them sign a paper saying that there were no scratches prior to the move.
- Realize that some stairs are simply unable to support the weight of an 800 pounds’ piano. Make sure you test their solidity beforehand.