- If your upright has wheels on it, unlock the wheel locks (usually metal tabs on the outside of the wheel that hold it in place) and check the wheels for stability and sturdiness by moving the piano an inch or so. If the casters seem stable, you can move the piano a short distance on them. Place a piece of carpet or heavy-duty plastic over the floor where you want to move the piano to avoid damaging the floor or rugs. With one person at each end of the piano, lift slightly and roll it onto the carpet or plastic, and roll it to the desired location. Relock the wheels when it is in place. Never use the wheels to move an upright piano more than a few inches.
- If your piano does not have wheels, and you need to move it only a few feet, grab a few friends and put one person at each corner of the piano. Designate one person to guide the team as they move the instrument. Lift the piano together with one hand at its base and another hand halfway up, steadying it. Take small steps to move the piano to the desired location.
- If you need to move an upright piano a longer distance than a few feet, rent a piano dolly. Many piano moving and piano repair companies will rent these to you. Wrap the piano in thick padding, such as a comforter or foam. Have two people stand on one end of the piano on one side of the dolly to help lower the piano onto the dolly, and two people on the other end to tip it from that direction. Tip the piano and lower it onto the dolly on its side or bottom, not the back or front. Strap the piano to the dolly securely, using the straps that come with the dolly. Have two people push the piano and two people stabilize the piano from the front as you move it.
