How Much Does A Grand Piano Weigh: The Best Practical Guide
How much does a grand piano weigh? If you are planning to move your grand piano, then you should know the answer to this question.
In fact, many moving professionals suggest that you should be aware of the weight of this musical instrument first before you move it.
In this way, you won't waste any effort on handling the grand piano. You will estimate the workforce that you need to lift this thing around.
Moreover, knowing this information is also essential so that you can protect the instrument from having scratches and cracks.
Once you do not carry it too well, there is a good chance that accidents can happen. Of course, this could cause damages to you and your other properties, as well.
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How Much Does A Grand Piano Weigh
Technically, the weight of the piano is due to the cast iron harp. This component comprises almost up to 70% of the overall weight of this instrument.
Small upright pianos have a weight of 300 to 400 pounds. They are significantly light because they are only using small cast iron harp. If we go to big upright instruments, they weigh around 600 pounds. However, some models are 800 pounds heavier.
Some big old upright pianos can reach 1,000 pounds. They have a burly player mechanism that contributes to their heavy weight.
Meanwhile, the smallest of the grand piano only runs at 54 inches long and weighs around 600 pounds.
However, you should know that grand pianos can reach up to 108 inches long. In fact, they are equivalent to concert grands, whose weight range from 1,000 to 1,200 pounds.
On the other hand, the customized Liberace piano (a 12-foot long instrument) has an astronomical weight of 1,500 pounds! This particular piano has excellent resonance. This is due to the length of the bass string.
Of course, one should know that the large grand piano models are heavier than the big upright pianos.
Most of the standard-size grand pianos today weigh anywhere between 500 to 1,200 pounds. Even the 6-feet long baby grand pianos are still heavy. Specifically, their weight ranges from 500 to 800 pounds.
Because of their insane weight, it is advised that you should contact professionals if you want to you move your piano. A piano that weighs around 800 to 900 pounds is hard to carry, even by four people.
Moreover, pianos have no specific ergonomics that make them portable. That increases their rigidness when it comes to mobility.
How To Move A Grand Piano
Let us say that you run out of options and you need to move your piano urgently. In this kind of situation, you don't have any choice but to move the piano by yourself. Of course, we don't mean that you can do it alone. Specifically, four to five people are needed to carry a small grand piano.
Route Planning
The first thing you have to do is to plan your route. You need to clear the area in where you are going to traverse with the piano.
In this part, communication is vital. The movers should be able to synchronize their movements with each other. In this way, you can move efficiently.
There is a need for you to measure every entry points that you are going to pass. You have to do this so that you can make sure that the piano can be able to go through any openings.
If you notice that the piano can't fit through a door, then you will need the help of professional movers.
Also, professional movers recommend that you dedicate one person per 100 pounds. If the piano weighs 600 pounds, then you need six people.
However, the presence of extra personnel to assist in this difficult job is also vital. You should know that carrying the piano can quickly drain your energy. At least two persons are required to carry one.
Preparing The Piano
Moving a grand piano is a difficult task. The process is more troublesome than moving an upright piano. Because of this, you always have to stick on the safe side and use a rolling skid board (this is a wheeled board that can bear heavy loads).
You need a lot of people to work on the moving. First, you need to lift the bass corner of the instrument. Next, you have to unscrew the leg. There is also an option to remove the leg if that makes the process more comfortable.
Once you finish this, you need to set down the piano gently. Also, you have to secure the detached legs by covering them in blankets.
Then, with the assistance of several people, you need to cover the body of the piano with a blanket. You also have to secure the cover tightly by the use of a tape.
Tips:
- If you don't have any skid board, then you can always go to any equipment rental shop. This tool is usually available there.
- In covering, always make sure that the top portion of the piano and the keyboard cover are locked down securely.
Moving The Piano
This is where it gets hard. Once the preparations are complete, start lifting the piano carefully. You should begin from the back end going upward.
While doing this, you will also have to lift the keyboard end from the ground at the same time. If possible, you should raise these parts evenly.
Take the piano to the skid board. Make sure that the instrument is positioned with balance. If you fail with this, there is a huge risk that the piano will fall off!
Once the piano is already set on the skid board, you can move it by pushing it by the rear end. However, pulling it from the front is also plausible.
While you are moving the piano, make sure that there are several standing on both sides. They will be the ones who can maintain the balance of the piano in case you will be passing through bumps.
Tips:
- You have to take note that the bass end of the piano is quite heavier compared to other parts. Therefore, the center of the balance of the instrument should be near there. Take this cue so that you can maintain the balance of the piano throughout the moving process.
- Your goal here is to make the piano skid vertically on the board. Moreover, the skidding should be done on the bass side. In this way, the treble side of your grand piano will head skyward. Meanwhile, the direction of the keyboard while skidding should be vertical.
Conclusion
Knowing how much does a grand piano weigh is essential. After all, the weight of the piano is your biggest consideration when the time move it comes.
Of course, we still recommend that you avail the help of professionals when you move this instrument.
In this way, you won't have to break your sweat in moving this heavy equipment. In fact, if you have a grand piano that is 5 1/2 feet long or more, then having professional movers is a must.
Even small grand pianos still require you to train a bit so that you can carry them properly.
Do you have any comments, questions, and suggestions? Ask us! We will answer them right away!
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