Overview

Moving a piano takes technical know-how, the right equipment, and a deep understanding of the instrument itself. In this blog post, Help Moving And Storage breaks down how moving upright pianos, grand pianos, and baby grand pianos, as each comes with its own set of challenges. From weight distribution and disassembly to navigating stairs and protecting delicate internal parts, we’ll walk you through the specific tools, techniques, and preparations needed to move each type safely.

Highlights

Introduction

At first glance, the tactics for moving pianos might seem similar between types, but when it comes down to it, no two piano types are alike. Whether you’re dealing with a compact upright, a full-size grand, or a baby grand that lands somewhere in between, each style demands a different moving approach to avoid costly damage. Without proper handling, the instrument is at risk, as are your floors, walls, and the safety of everyone involved.

In this blog post, Help Moving And Storage outlines what makes each type of piano unique from a moving perspective. We’ll explore the specific obstacles tied to upright, grand, and baby grand pianos, the tools professionals rely on, and how factors like tight spaces and flooring impact the move.

Read at your leisure, and don’t hesitate to contact our movers at (937) 433-4357 if any questions come to mind.

Why Do Piano Movers Ask About Flooring?

The type of flooring in the home plays an important role in how a piano is moved. Pianos are heavy, and their weight can damage floors if they’re not handled carefully. Different surfaces require different strategies for moving.

Piano movers need to be especially cautious when moving on hardwood floors, as pianos can leave permanent marks. Moving blankets, mats, and appropriate dollies are essential to prevent scratches.

While carpeted floors may seem less of a risk for scratching, they can make the move more difficult. Carpet can slow down the movement of the piano, making it harder to maneuver, especially on stairs or when pushing the piano across the room.

The key to moving any piano across various flooring types is preparation. Whether it’s using padded blankets, placing temporary protective mats, or adjusting the move to accommodate the flooring, understanding the effects of different surfaces is crucial.

What Are the Most Common Types of Pianos That People Request To Be Moved?

It’s important to understand the main types of pianos that are most moved by professionals. Each has its own design, weight distribution, and level of fragility.

Upright Pianos

Upright pianos are the most common type of piano found in homes, schools, and smaller venues. They stand vertically and typically have a smaller footprint compared to grand pianos. Uprights are generally more compact and often easier to move than grand pianos, but they still come with their own set of challenges. The strings are positioned vertically, which changes how the weight and tension are distributed.

Grand Pianos

The grand piano, with its distinctive horizontal shape, is a masterpiece of engineering and design. These pianos are larger, heavier, and often more expensive than their upright counterparts. The design of a grand piano, with its extended strings, gives it a unique tonal quality, but it also creates specific moving challenges. They come in various sizes, with concert grand pianos being the largest and heaviest.

Baby Grand Pianos

Smaller than full-size grand pianos but still larger than uprights, baby grand pianos offer a unique combination of aesthetics, sound quality, and size. While easier to move than larger grand pianos, baby grands still require careful handling due to their delicate construction and weight distribution. They often strike a balance between the compactness of an upright and the superior tonal quality of a full grand piano.

How Do You Move Upright Pianos?

Upright pianos are relatively smaller and lighter than grand pianos, but they still pose unique challenges when it comes to moving. Their vertical design, with strings running upward, changes how weight is distributed across the piano.

Challenges to moving upright pianos include:

  • Weight distribution: While upright pianos may weigh less than grand pianos, they still have substantial weight (typically between 300 to 500 pounds). The upright design means the weight is concentrated in the back, which can make the piano more top-heavy and unstable during transport. Lifting and tipping the piano properly is essential to avoid damage to the frame or internal components.
  • Dimensions: Upright pianos are tall and narrow, which can make them tricky to fit through doorways or up staircases. The height of the piano may cause difficulty when navigating tight or low-ceilinged spaces.
  • Vulnerable parts: Upright pianos often have delicate internal mechanisms, such as pedals and hammers, which need to be properly secured to prevent damage.

Given the shape of the upright piano, using furniture moving straps is critical. These straps help distribute the weight evenly across the movers’ bodies, reducing strain and making it easier to navigate narrow hallways or stairs.

A heavy-duty piano dolly is also essential for safely moving an upright piano. These dollies have specialized wheels that can support the weight of the piano and help with smooth transportation.

How Do You Move Grand Pianos?

Grand pianos, particularly larger models, present one of the most challenging moves. Due to their weight, size, and horizontal design, they require careful preparation and specialized tools.

For starters, grand pianos are much heavier than upright pianos, with weights ranging from 500 to 1,200 pounds depending on the size of the piano. The sheer size can make it difficult to move through doors, especially when navigating tight hallways or stairs.

It’s not as simple as rolling a grand piano down a hallway, either. Moving a grand piano often requires partial disassembly. The lid, pedals, and sometimes the legs must be removed to reduce the risk of damage and make the piano more manageable. This disassembly process requires a high level of expertise to avoid damaging delicate internal components or causing cosmetic issues.

Some of the tools that professional piano movers will likely bring onto your property include:

  • A piano skid board: A grand piano requires a skid board—a long, flat platform designed to carry large, heavy instruments. The skid board makes it easier to move the piano over smooth surfaces or in and out of a truck.
  • Heavy-duty moving straps: Straps are essential to help secure the piano on the dolly or skid board. These straps prevent the piano from shifting or falling off during the move.

Should You Crate Your Grand Piano?

For long-distance moves, grand pianos may need to be carefully crated for protection. Crates are designed to provide added security, keeping the piano safe from shifting and external elements during transport.

How Many Movers Does Your Grand Piano Require?

Moving a grand piano requires a team of at least four to six movers. Given its size and the need for careful coordination, professional piano movers typically use specialized techniques to lift and carry the piano without putting undue strain on the movers or damaging the instrument.

How Do You Move Baby Grand Pianos?

Baby grands are typically between 4.5 to 5.5 feet in length and weigh between 400 to 600 pounds. While not as heavy as a full-size grand piano, their size still requires careful handling, especially when navigating tight spaces. The internal components, such as the strings and action, also need to be protected from potential shock or impact during the move.

Though smaller than full grand pianos, baby grands can still be challenging to move in homes with narrow hallways, steep staircases, or low ceilings. Given their fragile components, baby grand pianos require heavy-duty padding or blankets. This ensures protection against dings, scratches, and other forms of damage during the move.

How Do Movers Navigate Tight Spaces During Piano Moves?

Older homes often have narrow staircases, low ceilings, and small doorways, which make piano moving especially challenging. A professional piano moving company uses specialized techniques, such as disassembling parts of the piano, utilizing custom-made dolly systems, and planning the best route to avoid obstacles.

Help Moving And Storage Has the Tools and Expertise for Every Piano Move

Relocating a piano is no small feat. Each type of piano comes with its own challenges related to weight, size, shape, and fragility. Without the right strategy, equipment, and experience, you run the risk of damaging your instrument, your home, or even injuring yourself or others.

At Help Moving And Storage, we understand that a piano is a cherished investment and often a family heirloom. That’s why we take a customized approach to every move, using the proper dollies, skid boards, padding, and manpower needed to handle each piano type with the utmost care. From protecting hardwood floors to planning for tight staircases, we prepare for every scenario so you don’t have to worry.

Let us take the stress out of your next piano move. Contact Help Moving And Storage at (937) 433-4357 to schedule a safe, professional piano relocation with a team that treats your instrument like their own.