How to Move a Piano is not something that should be undertaken by one person alone. You’ll need a minimum of four strong, healthy, well-trained movers to lift and maneuver the instrument. It is also helpful to have a dolly, which can help move the piano more quickly into a truck or van. If you don’t have a dolly, you can rent or buy one for a reasonable price at most music stores. Make sure the dolly you use can handle the weight of your piano.
When preparing for the move, make sure you have heavy-duty moving straps that can handle the load and protect the instrument from scratching or dents. Bungee cords can be used as well, but they have less give and don’t protect the piano as well as canvas ratchet straps. It is also recommended to wear a back belt if you have one, but don’t rely on it for safety; studies have not found that wearing a back belt prevents injury during manual lifting.
Once you’re ready to start the move, clear the path of travel by opening doors and removing obstacles. Then build a ramp from boards or plywood over which the piano can roll into the truck. Before lifting the piano on to the dolly, have one of the movers on each end of the instrument stand in a squatting position and lift from there, using a “1-2-3” count to prevent injuries.
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Once the piano is safely in the truck, reassemble it and make sure all parts are secure. Then let the piano rest in its new location for at least four to six weeks before tuning it. This settling period allows the instrument to adjust to changes in temperature, humidity, and air pressure that could affect its internal components.