Moving pianos is a specialized task that many individuals and professional Piano Movers have to deal with. It can be a hectic and stressful process, but it doesn’t have to be bad if you plan. One of the worst things piano movers do is try to rush through moving their instruments so they can get them tuned right away, only to find out that after a few days or weeks, the instrument starts developing problems because it was tuned too fast. The problem isn’t in tuning the Piano too fast; most pianos can handle being tuned very quickly, but the problem is that an instrument needs time to acclimate to its brand new environment. Pianos are susceptible to temperature and humidity. When relocating a piano from one location to another, there are many things you need to consider to ensure you don’t damage your Piano while it’s being moved or after it arrives at its destination. Let’s take a look at some of the most important things to keep in mind when considering the re-tuning of Piano after a move.
Humidity And Its Effects On Piano Tuning
Most pianos need to be kept in an environment that is 50% to 55% relative humidity to stay at their best. When a piano gets moved from one place to another, the instrument needs time to acclimate itself, and part of this means getting used to its new surroundings. A few things typically happen when an instrument has been exposed to low or high humidity levels; the first is that the Piano will start to shrink or expand depending on if it was in a low or high humidity environment. This can damage the strings, pin blocks, and soundboard. The second thing that will happen with temperature and humidity changes is that some problems with the instrument’s tuning can arise; pianos are very temperamental when it comes to moving them because they need time for their materials to readjust themselves after being exposed to new levels of temperature and humidity.
See also: Humidity and Piano Moving
Dryness Causes Different Problems
Pianos are then at a higher risk of developing warping when it is moved to regions with lower humidity, such as desert areas. The worst thing about this situation is that there isn’t much you can do to fix the problem because the wood will continue to twist and warp until the moisture inside of it has evened out.
The Piano sounds lower when stored in dry conditions because the pitch of the strings changes due to the extra tension and lack of moisture, which is why a piano needs to be tuned as soon as possible to avoid more significant problems. Dryness may also cause an instrument’s pitch to flatten, and this is why it’s essential to make sure that the Piano is tuned soon after a move. Tuning too quickly can cause strings to break or misshape, but luckily this isn’t an issue if you wait for a few weeks before tuning your instrument again.
Unless you want your Piano’s performance to be reduced, you should think of moving pianos during seasons of high humidity or find a good humidifier once they arrive at their destination.
How Quickly Do Pianos Acclimate After They’re Moved?
Like we said before, pianos need time to acclimate themselves to return to their old state. Over a period of about one week, your Piano will have returned to its normal conditions and won’t require as much tuning maintenance or repairs. The only problem with this method is that sometimes pianos are just too damaged by the humidity changes because they took place over a long period, which means it’s best if you move around at different times of the year, so you’re not exposed to extreme levels of temperature and humidity for too long.
See also: How Does the Weather Affect Your Piano
Moving Affects A Piano’s Tune
Moving a piano is an arduous task. If you don’t prepare accordingly, the instrument may get loose and crack or even fall to pieces during transit.
The logistics of moving a grand piano are intimidating enough without considering how much care one must take when it comes time for transport from place A to B on moving day. Transporting pianos can be dangerous business if done haphazardly–one wrong move could spell disaster for your prized possession!
Pianos are very sensitive to the environment; when you move a piano from one location to another, many things need to be considered. Pianos require a certain humidity to stay in a good state, and if it is exposed to low or high humidity levels, it may cause problems like shrinkage and warping. When pianos are moved, they need time for their materials to readjust themselves. They usually take about one week before returning to normal, but this can also happen over a long time which causes more damage. Suppose you move your Piano from a low or high humidity environment to a location with normal humidity levels. In that case, the Piano may need its strings tightened along with its soundboard. It’s also a good idea to listen for any cracks, pops, and noises that could indicate other problems such as broken strings, broken pin blocks, and cracked hammers.
How To Keep Your Piano Tuned While Moving It?
Moving pianos can be a hassle, but you don’t have to worry about them being de-tuned. There are many ways you can keep your Piano sounding great, even after moving it long distances!
With careful planning, it’s possible to have your Piano relocated in optimum conditions. The best time for a move is early morning or late evening when the temperatures are cooler and more comfortable than they would be during the heat of midday. Dedicated movers who specialize in moving pianos use climate-controlled vehicles that help maintain the instrument’s tune.
Moving a piano is an expensive and challenging process. It’s essential to keep the instrument in tune, so it’s recommended that you use a humidifier when moving your prized possession from place to place. If there are power outlets available on the truck or van in which the Piano is being transported, then this device can easily stay powered up throughout its journey! A humidifier is an important tool in a pianist’s arsenal. With the help of this gadget, you can reduce your acclimation period before re-tuning, which will save you some time and money!
See also: How often to Tune a Piano?
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s essential to make sure that your Piano is moved correctly. This can be done by packing the instrument in a climate-controlled van or truck or by using a humidifier on a moving day. When you move your Piano, make sure you take time to acclimate it back to its original state. It’s also good to tune up the instrument once it’s settled into its new location.
Also read: Cost of Tuning a Piano
