The piano is one of the oldest instruments that we know, it has been around for over 300 years, and it still remains popular all over the world. The sound produced by a grand piano is rich with tone and color that no other instrument cannot duplicate. A talented pianist can use his hands to create melodies that will touch your heart in a way no other instrument can duplicate.

Knowing the fascinating history behind this magnificent instrument and how they work, you might wonder if moving a piano would affect its sound and feel? In this article, we will look at some of the different factors that can affect how a piano sounds after being moved.

How Do Pianos Work?

The piano is an instrument that produces sound through the vibration of strings. The strings are made up of very thin metal wires that are wound tightly around a series of tuning pins. These strings are connected to the wood frame or “action” using felt-covered hammers that transfer its vibrations to your ears when it is struck with another hammer. The soundboard is the most critical part, and it gives the piano its distinctive tone. It also helps to project the sound outward into the room rather than have a muffled tone.


Effects Of Short Moves And Longer Moves On Pianos

Moving pianos can have some serious consequences on its overall sound; fortunately, these dangers can be minimized by observing a few simple precautions. If you move a piano from one room to another in your house, then this should present no problems at all, as long as you make sure nothing hits the case. The longer you move your piano, the more it will be affected in terms of overall sound quality. The less amount of stress that there is during transport, the better. The length and type of road surface that your piano goes over also make a difference in how much damage will occur when moving it from one place to another. Using a piano moving straps or a pallet jack are both acceptable methods for transporting it, but it depends on how heavy is your piano.

Effects Of Dryness On Pianos

Dryness can cause your piano to acquire a scratchy sound, and this is caused by the wood of the instrument shrinking or swelling depending on how dry it is. If you leave your piano in an area with no humidity, the moisture will escape its pores. Over time, the exterior finish will crack and eventually look really bad. The cracks will go down into the wood, and this is where most of the problems arise. If there are cracks going into your piano, then it could mean that moisture might be getting in, and this could damage your instrument. It won’t take long for the sound of your piano to deteriorate, even if it is just one crack.

Effects Of Moisture On Pianos

Moisture will begin to get into your piano if it is not stored in a controlled environment, and this can rub off the finish, warp, or crack the wood, which can permanently change the sound of your instrument. When you move a piano from one place to another, it might be exposed to different kinds of climate, which could cause irreversible damage. Moving pianos will likely cause a more significant amount of damage than if it was kept in one place for the rest of its life.

See also: Humidity and Piano Moving

How To Combat The Effects Of Moisture Changes

  • Using a Humidifier – If you live in an area with very low humidity, using a humidifier is one of the best ways to prevent your piano from drying out. You never want your piano to have too much moisture, which can also create problems for it, so keeping the humidity around 40-45% is ideal.
  • Using a Dehumidifier – If you live in a place where there is very high humidity, then using a dehumidifier will help to keep it at the right level. If you don’t control the moisture inside your piano, this can cause irreversible damage over time.
  • Using External Covers – Piano covers are an excellent way to protect your instrument from the elements when you are not using it. Even though they can be costly, it is well worth the money it costs for them. A cover will help prevent moisture and dust from getting into the case of your piano, which can cause severe damage over time.
  • Keep The Case Closed – It is always better to keep your piano closed up inside its case whenever you are not using it. This will stop dust and debris from getting onto the instrument’s finish, especially if there are any minor cracks in the wood. Keeping your case closed will also slow down how quickly the finish begins to wear off compared to leaving it open for extended periods.

Why Does The Piano Go Out Of Tune After A Move

When a piano is moved, it will most likely go out of tune. There are three ways that pianos may go out of tune after they have been moved. Their soundboard can shift or change shape; their strings could be stretched too tight or loose to the point where tuning pins slip.

Soundboard Moves

If you move your piano, there is always a chance that the soundboard will shift, changing how it produces sound. The most common place for this to happen is near the tuning pins, where there are slight changes in wood density. If the weight of the soundboard shifts in these areas, then it will change how it vibrates, which means that you will not get the same sound.


String Stretch

If the strings on your piano are stretched too tight or loose, then they won’t produce the same volume of sound that they once did. This is caused by small changes in wood density, which can happen anywhere along the length of your string. A slight change is usually not enough to cause any problems, but a more significant shift will alter how it produces sound, making it hard to tune.

Tuning Pin Slips

Tuning pins can begin to slip if they are already loose and you move them from one place to another. This will cause your strings to go out of tune until they can be retuned again. It could be a good idea to let a professional look over the tuning pins on your piano before it is moved just so that any problems can be addressed beforehand.

Servicing A Piano After a Move

Before you move your piano, it is a good idea to have the internal workings of it serviced. This will help to prevent any issues with the strings or tuning pins that may cause them to slip and go out of tune after the move. You should also check that everything inside is secure and nothing has come loose while transporting it.

See also: How Long After Moving Should You Tune Your Piano?

Conclusion

Pianos are quite delicate instruments that can be damaged if they are not moved correctly. They need to be moved from one location to another by professionals who know what they are doing so that they don’t get damaged in transit. Pianos need to remain in a climate-controlled environment because this helps keep their humidity levels even daily, preventing severe damage from occurring.

See also: How Often to Tune a Piano?