Moving a piano, whether it’s a grand or an upright, is no small feat. The instrument’s size, weight, and delicate nature make it a challenging task. This guide will provide you with the answer to ‘how to move a piano across a room?’

Drawing inspiration from top resources and experts in the field, we will find the right tools and techniques to safely move your piano across a room without causing damage.

How to Move a Piano Across the Room

1. Assess the Situation

Before you start, take a moment to evaluate the room and the piano’s current position.

Consider the following:

Size and Type of Piano

Grand pianos are larger and require more care than upright pianos. Knowing your piano’s type will help you prepare accordingly.

Use the wheels for easy movement, but note that carpets require more effort. If there are no wheels, consider removing the legs for easier maneuvering.

Upright pianos are generally simpler to move due to their size. However, they are top-heavy, so be careful of tipping.

Destination

Determine the exact spot where you want to place the piano. Ensure it’s away from direct sunlight, radiators, and vents to protect the instrument from temperature fluctuations.

Also, consider which room your piano lives in. Quietness, distance from busy roads, and how often the room is used for other purposes such as storage and family meetings, are all important factors to consider.

Having a quiet space to practice is paramount for professional musicians.

Route

Where is the piano moving to? Is that space ready, cleaned, and prepared for the piano to arrive? Make sure you have all of this figured out in advance so that you have no issues with the moving process.

2. Prepare the Piano and the Path

Clear the Area

Remove any obstacles in the piano’s path, such as furniture, rugs, or decor items. This ensures a smooth and unobstructed move. Clean the piano thoroughly before the moving happens, so that movers can maintain a good grip.

Secure the Lid

If your piano has a lid, ensure it’s closed to protect the keys and prevent any accidental damage.

3. Gather Essential Moving Tools

Dolly

A dolly can significantly ease the moving process, especially for grand pianos without wheels. Ensure the dolly is sturdy enough to support the piano’s weight.

Moving Pads and Straps

Depending on how complicated your move is, you might also want to have moving pads and straps available. If you’re moving a piano on its side, make sure to strap down the lid.

These will protect your piano from scratches and dents. Straps can also help secure the piano, especially if you’re moving it on its side.

Falling lids often damage the piano and can even hurt whoever is nearby. Moving pads/blankets will also help prevent any other object in your house, like walls or furniture, from doing any exterior damage to your piano.

It is better to be over-prepared than underprepared to avoid damaging your piano, house, or yourself. You can prevent marks on your floors with some piano caster cups for the piano legs.

4. Enlist Help

Moving a piano is not a one-person job. Gather a team of strong individuals who can help you lift and maneuver the instrument. Ensure everyone knows their role to avoid any confusion during the move.

Spread The Weight

Spread your people out evenly and distribute the weight around the piano properly so that one side is not leaning when being moved, and it is not scraping against the floor (especially if you have hardwood floors but carpets are also easily ruined).

A Clean Piano Is a Safe Piano

Ensure the piano is clean before moving, but not still damp or wet/slippery, so dry it too. People don’t want to move old dusty things, but a wet piano would also be bad, as movers will need to grip the piano firmly.

Get Professional Help

When in doubt, call a professional piano moving company for a consultation. Look for local piano moving services in your area, either on social media or online via their websites.

5. Lift and Move with Caution

Lifting Technique

Ensure everyone lifts from their legs, not their backs, to prevent injuries. Coordinate the lift, ensuring everyone is lifting simultaneously.

Moving

Move the piano slowly and steadily. Avoid making sudden movements or sharp turns.

Ensure the piano is level when it’s moved, and don’t move it too fast. to avoid anyone getting hurt while the move takes place.

6. Position & Check The Piano

Once you’ve reached the desired spot, gently lower the piano. Ensure it’s positioned correctly, with the keyboard facing the desired direction.

Inspect Your Piano

After moving, inspect your piano for any signs of damage. It’s also a good idea to play a few notes to ensure everything sounds as it should. You should do this before the people who you have hired to move the instrument leave your home.

Clean Your Piano

If the piano picked up any marks or dust along its path, give it another clean in its new location. If you want to know how to clean your piano keys properly, check out the following article:

How to Clean Your Piano Keys: Ivory & Plastic

7. Piano Moving Safety Tips

Protecting the Piano’s Finish

Protecting the piano’s finish is paramount to maintaining its aesthetic appeal and overall value. The piano’s finish is susceptible to scratches, dents, and discoloration from various external factors.

It’s essential to use soft, non-abrasive cloths for cleaning and avoid placing objects directly on its surface.

Additionally, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures can cause fading or warping, so it’s advisable to position the piano away from windows and heat sources. Think about this carefully when choosing where to keep your piano in your home.

Regularly dusting and using specialized piano polishes can further ensure the instrument’s finish remains pristine for years to come.

You can clean your piano strings too with this handy tool:

Avoiding Injury While Moving

Avoiding injury while moving a piano is crucial, given the instrument’s substantial weight and size. Pianos weigh anywhere from 300 to 1,000 pounds, making them a significant hazard if not handled correctly.

It’s vital to use proper lifting techniques, keeping the back straight and lifting with the legs. Enlisting the help of several people or using specialized equipment like piano dollies can distribute the weight and reduce strain.

Wearing protective gloves can also prevent hand injuries. Moreover, clear communication among helpers ensures coordinated movements, minimizing the risk of sudden shifts or drops.

Always prioritize safety over speed when relocating such a valuable and hefty instrument. Health and safety should always come first with any dangerous activity, and moving a piano can go horribly wrong, so be careful!

These piano soundboard and string cleaning tools may also be of interest to anyone looking to preserve the quality of their acoustic piano:

8. Piano Skid Board

A piano skid board, often called a piano moving board, is an indispensable tool for safely and efficiently moving pianos.

This board provides a stable platform for the piano, ensuring it remains secure during its relocation process.

The skid board’s design allows for even weight distribution, reducing the risk of damage to the instrument.

Benefits of a Piano Skid Board

• Safety: It offers a secure platform, minimizing the risk of the piano tipping or getting damaged.
• Efficiency: With the piano securely placed on the skid board, movers can easily navigate through doorways and tight spaces.
• Protection: The board is a barrier between the piano and the ground, preventing scratches and dings.

Where to Buy

US Cargo Control also offers a Piano Moving Board priced at $179.99 (at the time of writing). The board has dimensions of 72″ in length, 13″ in width, and 3″ in height.

New Haven Moving Equipment also provides Western Piano Boards.

Making Your Own Piano Skid Board:

1. Choose Material: Opt for a sturdy wooden plank or plywood.
2. Size: Measure the length and width of your piano and add a few extra inches for safety. Typically, a 6-foot length is standard.
3. Padding: Attach a layer of thick padding or carpet to one side of the board to protect the piano’s finish.
4. Handles: Install durable handles on both sides for easy lifting and maneuvering.
5. Reinforce: Strengthen the board with additional wooden beams or metal brackets if necessary.

Remember, whether you choose to buy or make your own skid board, the primary goal is to ensure the safety and protection of your piano during the move.

This website shows you how to make your own moving board to use with your piano when moving. If you have a larger piano that you want to move either with or without professionals, this could be a good option for you.

How to Move a Piano Down Stairs?

1. Assess the Situation

• Measure the piano’s dimensions and the staircase’s width and height. Ensure there’s enough space for the piano to move without getting stuck.
• Check for any obstacles in the path, like tight turns or doorframes.

2. Gather Necessary Equipment

• Piano Moving Straps: These will help distribute the piano’s weight and give movers a better grip.
• Piano Dolly: This is a platform with wheels to help transport the piano.
• Padded Blankets: To protect the piano from scratches and dings.
• Tape: To secure the blankets in place.
• Stair Rollers: These specialized tools can be attached to the bottom of the piano to help it roll down stairs.

3. Enlist Help

• Due to the weight and size of pianos, it’s recommended to have at least 3-4 strong individuals to help. Consider hiring professional piano movers if possible.

4. Prepare the Piano

• Close and lock the keyboard lid to protect the keys.
• Wrap the piano in padded blankets and secure them with tape.
• Remove any detachable parts like piano legs or music stands.

5. Position the Piano

• Place the piano on the dolly. If using stair rollers, attach them to the bottom of the piano.
• Use moving straps to secure the piano to the dolly.

6. Moving Down the Stairs

• Position one person at the front of the piano (the bottom end when going down the stairs) and the others at the back.
• The person at the front will be guiding the piano, while those at the back will bear most of the weight and control the descent.
• Move slowly, one step at a time. Communicate clearly with each other.
• If using stair rollers, they will help the piano to roll down each step. Ensure everyone is in control of the movement.

7. Safety Precautions

• Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip.
• Use gloves to improve your grip on the piano.
• Clear the path of any obstacles.
• Take breaks if needed. It’s essential to stay in control and not rush.

8. Once Down the Stairs

• Carefully move the piano off the dolly or stair rollers.
• Reattach any parts that were removed.
• Check the piano for any damages.

9. Tuning

• Moving can affect a piano’s tuning. It’s a good idea to let the piano acclimate to its new location for a few weeks and then hire a professional to tune it.

Note: Due to the complexity and risks involved, it’s often recommended to hire professional piano movers who have the necessary equipment and expertise to move pianos safely.

Conclusion

Moving a piano across a room requires meticulous planning, careful handling, and an understanding of the instrument’s structure.

Whether you’re dealing with a grand or an upright piano, it’s essential to prioritize safety for both the instrument and the mover.