A piano is a rather heavy, fragile, and expensive instrument, with over 12,000 intricate parts. Its moving requires special care. It is very important to preserve not only the appearance of this musical instrument but also not to damage its musical components. This guide will help anyone to plan your piano moving. Here is a look at the best packaging to use and the best way to load and transport the piano.
Note! Firstly, consult a piano technician when moving your piano. The specialist will tell you what manipulations to make inside the instrument to make transportation safer, such as whether to loosen the strings slightly (although this is rarely necessary and can be a complex task).
Packing Materials You May Need
If you want your piano or grand piano to get moved without a scratch, make sure you use appropriate packing supplies to pack it. Using subpar materials might cause irreparable damage. Here’s what you need and a quick word on how to use them:
- Heavy-duty furniture blankets: They keep your piano safe from getting hit and scratched.
- Stretch wrap: Helps hold the blanket close to the piano.
- Packing tape: Helps hold things in place, but don’t let it touch the piano, or it might ruin its look.
- Straps: Make sure the piano stays put in a truck or on a trolley.
- Dollies: Helps move heavy pianos so no one gets hurt.
- Packing peanuts: Fill up any gaps, so the inside doesn’t shake around or get damaged.
- Cardboard sheets: Puts another layer on to stop the piano from getting hurt.
Extra tip: Buy a thing called a hygrometer to check the dampness. A relative humidity level between 42% and 68% is recommended for pianos. If you’re moving the piano a long way or storing it, think about buying humidity control devices or systems specifically designed for pianos.
Packing Up Your Piano Right
Firstly, determine the type of musical instrument you have. A grand piano and an upright piano will differ in weight, size, and construction. This will determine how they are packed and transported.
The Difference in Packing for Upright vs. Grand Pianos
| Feature / Action | Upright Pianos | Grand Pianos |
|---|---|---|
| Size and Shape | Compact; vertical soundboard and strings. | Broad, horizontal design; flat soundboard. |
| Keyboard Lid | Close and lock to protect keys. | Close, lock, and pad the key lid and fallboard. |
| Legs and Pedals | Legs are generally not detached; pedals and base should be padded. | Legs and the lyre (holding the pedals) are often removed and packed separately. |
| Back Support
(if applicable) |
Need special padding as it can be fragile and often unfinished. | Not typically an issue due to the horizontal layout. |
| Body Protection | Wrapped vertically with padding. | Large blankets or pads cover the curve and side; extra padding on the side it rests on. |
| Moving Orientation | Kept upright on a dolly; top-heavy so caution is required. | Laid on its side (non-curved side) on a skid board after leg removal. |
In this way, it provides a personalized approach to moving your musical instrument. However, a moving team will in any case help you every step of the way to make the whole procedure easier.
Step-by-Step Guide to Packing a Piano for Moving
- Preparing Your Piano. Before you start packing, spend some time securing the piano’s movable parts. To safeguard the keys, close and lock the keyboard lid. If your instrument has a detachable music stand, it is best to remove it during the move to prevent accidental damage.
- Protecting the Keyboard. There are the felt-covered hammers in the piano that hit the strings. They can get out of place if jolted. Put a soft, thick blanket or padding inside the piano on top of the strings. This’ll keep them safe from hard bumps. Then, cover the keyboard with a thick moving blanket. Before wrapping it up, make sure the lid is shut tight. Wrap the blanket around, but don’t let any tape touch the piano itself.
- Wrapping the Body. Wrap up the whole piano with additional furniture blankets. Hold them down with some stretch wrap. Make sure it’s tight enough, so the piano doesn’t get damaged.
- Securing Legs and Pedals. If you can take off the legs and pedals, do it. Then wrap each one in a furniture blanket. If they can’t be removed, make sure they are well-padded, so they’re safe.
- Reinforcing the Piano. For more safety, use big cardboard sheets. Tape them around the piano. It’ll keep the piano safe from knocks when moving.
- Finalizing the Packing. Once you got everything wrapped, tape up any parts that seem loose. Double-check that every part of the piano is covered up good.
To sum it up, for a safe move, 3 to 4 layers of protection are recommended. However, always consider the specific requirements of your piano and the conditions of the move.
Pros and Cons of Packing the Piano Yourself
Pros of packing the piano yourself:
- Save Money: Professionals cost a lot. Doing it yourself is cheaper.
- Control: You know your piano and can be extra careful.
- Flexibility: Pack when you want, no waiting for movers.
- Personal Touch: You can take special care of your prized piano.
- Learn Stuff: Understand more about your piano’s ins and outs.
Cons of packing the piano yourself:
- Damage Risk: Professional Professional piano movers know how to avoid hurting pianos.
- Need for Gear: Movers have special tools and packs for pianos.
- Takes Time: If you’re new, it might drag on.
- Stress: Worrying about messing up can be tough.
- Missed Tricks: Pros might know some tips you don’t.
In short, packing your piano can save money, but there’s a risk of mistakes. Think about it carefully.
Conclusion
To draw the conclusion, one can say that moving a piano is a big job. It’s chunky and can get damaged easily. This guide helps you figure out how to pack it the right way to avoid any mess-ups during the move. Depending on whether you’ve got an upright or grand piano, you’ll need to pack it differently. It’s probably smart to talk to a piano expert before moving yours. And don’t forget to watch out for moisture. Just be extra careful and make sure you’re using sturdy packing stuff.
