If you are a musician in or around Salt Lake City and you need to move a piano, My Small Moves helps by sending careful, trained movers who treat the instrument as an instrument first and a heavy object second. They measure, plan, pad, lift, and move in a way that protects both the piano and the music you make with it. If you want to see who I am talking about, you can check out local movers Salt Lake City, but let me explain why I trust them with pianos and not just with regular furniture.
I should say right away, I am not a concert pianist. My playing is passable. I play well enough to annoy neighbors and satisfy myself on quiet evenings. Still, I care about my piano more than I care about my couch, my desk, or anything else in my living room. And that is where this story started.
Why a regular moving crew is not always a good idea for pianos
A lot of people think a piano is just a heavy piece of wood with keys. You pick it up, you move it, job done. I used to think that too. Then I watched a standard moving crew struggle with a spinet in an old building. No plan, no measuring, one blanket, and way too much shouting.
They did not break it, but it was close. One narrow corner, a missed step, and the entire instrument scraped the wall. That sound stays with you. You know that feeling when you hear a string slightly out of tune? Now imagine that feeling, but with wood and paint and the weight of a family story behind it.
Pianos are not just heavy, they are fragile in all the wrong places and sentimental in all the right ones.
For musicians, a piano often has layers of meaning that go far beyond its price tag. It can be where you learned your first scale, where you wrote your first song, or where your kids played that half recognizable version of “Für Elise” on repeat.
So when it needs to move, the job is not only about strength. It is about:
- Understanding weight balance
- Protecting the action and keys
- Keeping pedals safe
- Protecting the casing and finish
- Respecting the emotional value
This is where My Small Moves came into my picture, and probably why a lot of musicians end up calling them after one close call with a generic crew.
How My Small Moves approaches piano moving for musicians
The first time I contacted them, I was half expecting a regular moving company script: dates, hours, square footage, done. Instead, the first questions were about the piano.
- What type of piano is it? Upright, spinet, console, baby grand?
- What floor is it on now, and what floor is it going to?
- Are there stairs, tight corners, or steep driveways?
- How often do you play it?
The last question surprised me. Why would they care how often I play? The person on the phone explained, almost casually, that players who practice daily tend to notice changes in touch and feel more than people who play once a month. So they pay extra attention to how the action is supported during the move, and they brace or pad accordingly.
The more you live with a piano, the more you feel when something is just a little off, so the move has to respect that sensitivity.
That line stuck with me. It sounded like something a musician would say, not a mover trying to fill a script.
Step 1: Looking at the path, not just the piano
With My Small Moves, the process usually starts with the path. They look at doorways, stairs, tight turns, and flooring. Sometimes that happens with a short visit. Sometimes through photos and measurements you send them.
They care about:
- Door width and height
- Staircases and turns
- Any low ceilings or light fixtures
- Floor type: hardwood, tile, carpet
- Parking and loading distance
It might feel like overthinking, but with a piano, this planning stops last minute decisions like tilting too far or squeezing through gaps that are just a little too tight.
Step 2: Protecting the instrument before it even moves
Before anything leaves the wall, they wrap and pad. It is a slow start, which I think is good. You can see blankets, shrink wrap, and straps come out, and for a moment it feels like the piano is being dressed for travel.
They usually:
- Cover the top and sides with thick pads
- Secure the lid so it cannot open
- Wrap the key area carefully
- Pad corners, pedals, and legs
For upright pianos, this might look simple from the outside, but there is a method to how they stack padding and where they put straps. It is not just to avoid scratches. It is also to spread weight the right way when the piano tilts or shifts.
Step 3: Using the right tools and not rushing the lift
I have watched people try to move a piano with nothing but bare hands and optimism. It never goes well. My Small Moves brings piano dollies, lifting straps, floor sliders, and ramps when needed.
The goal is not to prove strength, it is to control weight.
This part matters to musicians for a simple reason. If a piano drops, even a short distance, the damage is not always visible right away. The casing might look fine, but the inner structure can shift. That can change the way it feels and sounds, and you will only sense it later when you practice.
What different types of pianos need during a move
Not every piano is the same, and My Small Moves treats them differently. I did not fully understand the differences until I talked with the movers during one of my moves. They were happy to explain, which I appreciated.
| Piano type | Main challenges | What movers focus on |
|---|---|---|
| Spinet / console | Compact size can trick people into underestimating weight | Balance on dollies, extra padding on corners, controlled tilts |
| Full upright | High center of gravity, bulky shape in narrow stairwells | Strong strapping, careful navigation at landings, stable lifting points |
| Baby grand / grand | Fragile legs, angled shape, disassembly and reassembly | Taking off legs and lyre, wrapping the body, careful handling of the lid and pedals |
I sometimes think of spinets as “small pianos” in my head, but they are still heavy. The mover I spoke with said he had seen more accidents with smaller pianos than big grands, simply because people assume they are easy.
Grands are a different story. For those, they often remove the legs and lyre, protect the lid, and move the body on a special board. That sounds obvious if you work around pianos often, but many standard households never see that level of care.
Why this matters for working musicians
If you make music for a living or even for serious part time work, your piano is not just furniture. It is where your practice time goes. It is where you earn money from teaching or recording. A damaged or poorly moved piano does not only hurt your heart, it also disrupts your work.
Think about a few simple cases:
- You teach students from home
- You record scratch tracks or demos
- You rehearse for gigs or auditions
- You host small recitals or house concerts
In all of those, having a piano that feels and sounds right matters. So when you move homes or studios, the move is not just another chore. It is part of your music schedule.
One thing I liked about working with My Small Moves was that they seemed aware of this. They asked when I needed the piano playable again. Not just when the move was happening, but when I planned to use it next.
Timing the move around lessons and rehearsals
Pianos usually need tuning after a move. Some people pretend this is optional, but if you have a good ear, you know it is not. The internal structure shifts a bit, temperature and humidity change, and strings react.
So if you teach or rehearse, you need to plan around that.
- Schedule the move on a day with no lessons or practice that cannot shift
- Give the piano some time to settle in the new room
- Then bring in a tuner or technician
My Small Moves does not tune pianos, at least in my experience, but they understand why tuning matters. That is why I felt more comfortable when they carefully set the piano in its new spot, leveled it, and checked that it did not rock or wobble.
I once had a cheaper crew leave my previous piano with one leg on a small bump in the floor. It looked fine, until you played a loud chord and felt a slight buzz. Not dramatic, but enough to annoy you during practice. With this crew, they took a moment to test for movement before calling it done.
Working with limited space, small studios, and home setups
Many musicians I know do not live in large houses with wide halls. They live in apartments, smaller homes, or shared spaces. The piano sits in a corner, near a wall, close to a desk with a laptop and some audio gear.
Moving pianos in those tight spaces needs more planning. You probably know what this looks like:
- A narrow hallway from the front door to the main room
- One or two tight corners that barely fit a couch
- Stairs that curve or split at a landing
My Small Moves tends to measure these before committing to a plan. I like that they do not guess. I once watched them stand in my stairwell with a tape measure and talk through angles, using their hands, like they were blocking a stage move.
It felt slightly awkward at the time. I wanted things to happen faster. But watching them test the path saved us from getting stuck halfway up, which would have been much worse.
Protecting your floors, walls, and gear around the piano
Most musicians have more than one thing to worry about. There are mic stands, cables, sheet music stacks, music stands, maybe a small mixer or audio interface nearby. During a move, these can get in the way.
When they moved mine, they:
- Asked me to shift fragile gear and stands first
- Put pads on walls at tight points
- Used floor runners so dollies did not mark surfaces
This helps not just for cosmetic reasons, but also for your sense of calm. If you watch your walls, cables, and gear survive the move, you are more relaxed when the piano comes through.
Emotional value vs financial value
I sometimes find it strange how people talk about pianos only in terms of cost. Yes, some are worth a lot of money. Others are quite modest. But the emotional value does not always match the price.
One of the movers told me a story about moving an old upright that was not worth much on paper. The finish was worn, some keys were chipped, and one pedal squeaked. The family could have replaced it, but did not want to. It had been in the family for three generations.
To them, that piano carried more history than any new instrument could, so the move had to respect that history, not just the weight.
That attitude matters. If you feel your movers understand why your piano matters to you, you will breathe easier while it is in the air, halfway up the stairs, or halfway into the truck.
How My Small Moves fits into a musician’s bigger plan
Moving a piano is often part of a bigger change. Maybe you are:
- Upgrading to a larger teaching space
- Switching to a quieter neighborhood
- Setting up a small home studio
- Combining living and rehearsal spaces
In those moments, logistics can pull attention away from your music. You spend days dealing with boxes, address changes, internet service, chairs, shelves, and all the normal things. Having one part of the move that feels handled, like the piano, is more helpful than it sounds.
When My Small Moves handled my piano, I noticed two practical benefits.
1. Less stress during an already busy time
I worried less on moving day. I did not stand there thinking, “What if they drop it?” or “What if they scratch the lid?” every two seconds. Of course, I still watched, because you cannot not watch your piano move. But it felt more like watching professionals at work than waiting for something to go wrong.
2. Faster return to normal practice
Because they placed the piano in the right spot, leveled it, and left enough space for the bench and a stand for scores, I could set up my practice space again quickly. After tuning, my routine was back. No dragging the piano around the room on my own. No guessing where it would sound best while trying not to damage the floor.
Maybe that sounds minor, but if music is part of your daily rhythm, days without a working piano feel strange. You can practice on a keyboard or play guitar instead, but it does not quite replace the feel of your main instrument.
Common worries musicians have about moving pianos
When I talk with other piano players who are planning a move, the same questions come up. I had some of these myself before I used a smaller, more focused crew like My Small Moves.
Will my piano go out of tune badly after the move?
Yes, it will go out of tune to some degree. That is normal. Changes in temperature, humidity, and the stress of moving all play a part. The good news is that a careful move avoids sudden shocks that can cause bigger problems.
My Small Moves cannot stop physics, but they can protect the structure so that tuning is straightforward rather than a rescue job. Plan for a tuning after the move and you will be fine.
Can moving a piano damage the internal action?
Rough or careless moves can. Sharp drops, strong bumps, or lifting from the wrong points can stress internal parts. That is why control and support matter more than speed.
By padding, securing lids, and lifting from the correct spots, movers reduce the chance of hidden damage. My Small Moves seems quite aware of where not to push or pull. I do not want to exaggerate, but this part does separate experienced crews from casual ones.
Is there a risk for my back or my friends if we try to move it ourselves?
Yes. Pianos are heavy and awkward. A lot of musicians underestimate this because we are used to moving amps, stands, and cases. A piano is a different level. I think asking friends for help sounds nice, but it can end badly for your backs and your friendship if something goes wrong.
Using a crew that does this regularly might cost more than a pizza and some drinks, but it can save you from medical bills, broken steps, or a damaged instrument.
Small details that showed me they understand musicians
There were a few quiet details that made me feel like My Small Moves “got” musicians a bit more than a random moving crew.
- They kept voices low around the piano, almost like they were in a practice room
- They asked where I sit to play, then checked bench distance after setting it up
- They left enough space around the sides for a stand with charts and notes
- They listened briefly to the acoustic of the room when placing the piano
None of this was dramatic. No speeches about art or anything like that. Just small hints that they were used to working with people for whom music is not a side thought.
How you can prepare as a musician before the movers arrive
Movers can handle the heavy lifting, but there are a few things you can do before they arrive to make the process smoother and safer for everyone.
- Clear a path from the piano to the door. Move chairs, stands, small tables, and loose cables.
- Remove fragile items from the top of the piano. Photos, plants, metronomes, small lamps.
- Secure sheet music and books. Put them in boxes instead of leaving them in piles.
- Unplug any gear nearby so no one trips on cords.
- Decide where the piano will go in the new place, at least roughly.
This preparation helps avoid last minute scrambling while the piano is already half tilted or moving through a doorway.
Why I keep recommending My Small Moves to other musicians
I am aware this might read almost too positive, so let me say this clearly. My experience was not perfect in every tiny way. The move started a bit late, traffic did not help, and we had to wait a bit longer outside the new place because of another delivery blocking the entrance. Life rarely runs like a smooth sequence of steps.
But in the moments that mattered most for the piano, they acted with care and patience. They communicated clearly about what they were doing and why. When I asked questions, they answered in plain language instead of hiding behind jargon.
For musicians, that mix of practical skill and calm communication is valuable. It helps you feel less like you are gambling with an instrument you rely on for your work and your creative life.
Questions musicians often ask about moving pianos, with short answers
Q: How soon can I play my piano after a move?
You can usually play it the same day once it is in place, but expect it to be out of tune. Serious practice or recording can wait until after a tuning visit, which is often recommended a week or two after the move to let the piano settle.
Q: Should I move a digital piano myself and hire movers only for the acoustic?
Most digital keyboards are light enough to move on your own, as long as you have a good case and protect the keys. For an acoustic piano, especially an upright or grand, using a crew like My Small Moves is much safer.
Q: Is it worth paying more for a crew that knows pianos instead of using the cheapest movers?
If the piano is central to your music life, yes. The cost difference spreads out over years of practice, teaching, and playing. One bad move can cost more in repairs or replacement than the savings from hiring a cheaper crew.
Q: Do I need to be there the whole time during the move?
I think you should. You do not need to hover over every step, but being present lets you answer questions about placement, room layout, and where to set the bench and gear. It also gives you peace of mind.
Q: How do I know if a mover really understands pianos?
Listen to the questions they ask. Movers who know pianos will ask about the type of piano, floors, stairs, room size, and your playing habits. They will talk about wrapping, dollies, and lifting points without sounding vague. If their answers feel generic, that is a sign to look elsewhere.