The Science You Need to Know

The manner in which a piano is packed and moved is critical, whether the distance is to the house next door or a thousand miles away.

For some reason, many people -- even professional movers -- seem to think that because the instrument is heavy, it will remain stable in the truck.

But that's not the case at all. 

Everything, especially things that are heavy, will move diaphragmatically rather than sympathetically with the bed of the truck.  Consequently if the instrument isn't tightly tied to the truck's bed and at least one of the truck's sides, it will bounce up and down as the truck goes over bumps in the road.

Picture in your mind a 1,000 pound concert grand that is not tied down, as the truck goes over a bump.  The instrument flies up and then crashes into the truck's bed.

Frankly, pianos can't take this abuse.  Not only will it seriously damage the instrument's regulation and tuning, but frequently the sounding board will crack.  That can cost as much as a couple of thousand dollars to repair.

So How Should You Do It?

Simple.  Wrap instrument in thick blankets.  Firmly secure it to the dollies you use to bring the piano to the truck.  And then move the piano to the front corner of the truck bed.  Secure it tightly to the front, side and the truck bed.

What About Grand Pianos?

Well, there is an added part of the method for them.  Grands should have the pedals removed, and the piano should be moved on its flat side.

Now that you know that, there is a thick piece of plywood almost the size of a construction beam, that is known as a Grand Board.  The piano's left side should be placed on the Grand Board, strapped tightly to it, and then moved with the Grand Board acting as the piano's backbone.

Grand Boards can be rented from U-Haul and other self-moving companies.

One More Thing

When you are hiring professional moving companies to move your piano, you need to make certain they follow this procedure.  I can't tell you how often piano technicians come across instruments that have been moved by professionals, and moved incorrectly.