answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Very carefully....Professional piano movers usea piano board and piano dolly. The lyre and legs are removed, then the piano is stood sideways on its longside on a piano board, covered and strapped to the board. It is then put on a piano dolly. Refer to Google for videos of this procedure.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

There are a number of different ways to move a baby grand piano, or I should say, variations on a basic procedure. I'll first describe the basic idea, then move along into other permutations.

A baby grand consists of the main body of the piano, a lid, 3 legs and a lyre (a lyre is the bit with the pedals on it in the middle).

In order to move the piano at the least you'll need the following equipment:

piano skidboard

two 2" straps long enough to go around the piano, I recommend 12'

tools for dismantling (large flat-head screwdriver, rubber mallet, perhaps others)

a quality 4 wheeled dolly capable of supporting at least 400 lbs

at least 2 moving blankets

and most importantly two people who know what they're doing, and can communicate well.

The basic procedure is this: position your skidboard so the bunk (the bit that turns up, the short part of the "L") is near the bass-notes of the keyboard and the other end of the skid is at the back of the piano. This means the skid is on the ground, parallel to the long-flat side of the piano (the side the lid hinges from). Tri-fold a moving blanket and lay it atop the skid so it covers the skid and bunk but does not over-hang the skid too much in any direction. Depending upon your skid you may want your straps already run through the slots in the skid.

Remove the lyre, making note of how to re-attach it and keeping track of the hardware. Turn the casters on all the legs so they are swiveled away from the skidboard.

One person will now hold up the corner of the piano where the bass-note keys are while the other person dislodges the leg in that corner (see below for tips on that) and sets it side. Then let the corner of the piano down onto the skidboard.

This will leave the piano with 2 legs on the floor, and one corner on the skid, near the bunk. One person should hold onto the rear leg, making sure the back of the piano lands on the skid, and also taking some weight off the rear leg to avoid a failure if the leg is weak. The other person now tips the piano up on it's side onto the skidboard. Remove the 2 remaining legs.

Make sure the key-cover is open.

Make sure the piano is on the skid properly (not hanging off) and snugged all the way up to the bunk. Put a blanket or two over the piano for protection. One strap, which is through the rear slot in the skid, should cross the piano and pass over the top by the treble keys through the little notch and then back down the other side and reconnect with the other end of the strap. The buckle should be near the trapwork (the bits the lyre connects to). Make it reasonably tight. The other strap should cross this one and pass around the concave curve of the curved side of the piano and connect with itself with the buckle being near the other one.

Now you tip the piano up by lifting the end opposite the bunk so it tips up on the bunk. Lift it until it doesn't take much effort to keep it tipped (this is the tipping point, if you lifted more it'd want to tip away from you). Then the other person puts the dolly in underneath it with the casters swiveled away from the bunk, and the first person lets the piano back down to level while the person who set the dolly monitors it's position and helps keep the piano steady. You're now ready to transport the piano.

Setup is roughly the opposite scheme.

There are, however, many other details. Some people "hang the lid" (leaving the lid on and letting it hang off the side of the skid) some people remove the lid and hinges, music-desk, and prop. Some people do a lyre roll on some pianos (leaving the lyre on for tipping the piano) some people don't. Some prefer cotton piano straps, some prefer ratchet straps. The Steinway factory movers don't use the X pattern with the straps, they just straight strap it and then tie the 2 straight straps together. If your straps are longer than necessary to create the x-strapping you can then use the tail to create other hand-holds and to tighten the skid's grip on the piano.

There are a number of techniques or equipment for dealing with ramps, rough terrain, lift-gates, stairs, inclement weather, stoops, etc.

Some pianos the legs are on with a bayonet mount, some with screws, some with both. Some pianos have gait-legs and a spider, some don't. Some have player mechanisms, dampp chasers, or any number of other options. Some pianos don't have a flat side (butterfly grands). Some are heavy, some are extra heavy.

So, the answer to the question, like many, is more questions: How do I deal with X Y or Z detail about A, B or C piano or situation. But those are the basics, and some things to think about in regards to different options.

Here's a couple common rookie mistakes that are worth being aware of if you do do this:

Someone must always have 2 hands on the piano from start to finish, once it gets away from you in any situation, there's no getting it back.

Mind the way your casters are oriented. You're better shifting their direction in a premeditated fashion than letting them go when the weight shifts.

Take your time, do it right. Start off safe and systematic, speed will come with practice.

It's all about communication and technique, not muscle. The piano is heavier than you are strong, your advantage is your mind.

But remember, the easiest and safest way to move a piano is to hire a professional.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
Answer

You don't hold it! It's on the floor, you sit on a chair and then you play it.

There's nothing to hold onto.

If you're still not sure then search it on google images.

Answer

A piano is so huge that you would have to literally be King Kong to hold onto such 'an animal'LOL! - certainly, to attempt to put it in your lap, or lean it against your body!!

Not even the world's strongest men would be attempting such a feat!

It has its own 4 sturdy legs to steady it and plenty of weight and size to hold it in comfortably place.

The purpose of a piano is to play music. It is played using both hands - usually, simultaneously ... so even if it were possible to hold onto the thing, you certainly could not use it for the purpose for which it was intended while you were also holding onto the thing. As the above answer says, you sit in a chair in front of it, and play the keys with your hands. To gain other effects with the sound emanating, you can also use the foot pedals that are also available. So there are moments in the music where you need all 4 bodily appendages to strike or work with the piano according to the requirements of the music. At such musical moments, it would be impossible to steady the instrument with anything!

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

rogerelinder

Lvl 2
3y ago

With the help of piano dollies and skid, you can move a grand piano easily.

You can buy one from Quality Piano Supplies.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

you can buy a piano trolley removal men use them or just undo the wheels

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Depends on which part of the piano you want to fix

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Take the legs off turn it on it's side, you'll need a skid and roll it in.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

well most of the times the cant but they also move it side ways those are all the ways i know

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

by using all your strengh go on PUSH!!!

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How do you move a grand piano?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Is it physically possible for a person to move a grand piano single handedly?

Yes, if the piano is on wheels.


Is there an upright piano that has sound as good as a grand piano?

No, nothing can compare to a grand piano.


Are grand and bosendorfer piano different?

Yes they are. Bosendorfer piano has 97notes while grand piano has 88notes.


What is the difference between the concert piano and baby grand piano?

The concert piano doesn't have as nice sound as the baby grand piano.


When was PH Grand Piano created?

PH Grand Piano was created in 1931.


When was More Grand Piano created?

More Grand Piano was created in 1985.


What was a cost of a grand piano in the 1930?

Surprisingly, the cost of a Grand Piano in the 1930'S was about a grand ($1,000.00).


What shape is the piano?

A piano has many different shapes but the main three are the upright, the grand and the baby grand piano.


Where's the Grand Piano in Club Penguin?

The Grand Piano is in the Pizza Shop in the Plaza.


Does a grand piano require a microphone to record?

Yes, A microphone is needed to record a Grand Piano. Unless your Grand Piano has a built in pick up which you can use to record it.


What is the difference between a grand and a baby grand piano?

A grand piano makes sound by a mechanical system: little hammers hitting strings when the keys are pressed. An electric piano produces sound much the same way, except the sounds are turned into electronic signals by pickups, which makes it able to be amplified or recorded.


What was the first type of piano to be made?

a grand piano