We’ve all seen it in movies: a piano dangling from a rope, swinging several stories above a busy street, just seconds away from disaster. From classic comedies to modern sitcoms, TV and film love to turn piano moving into a moment of chaos.
In reality, though, piano movers don’t rely on luck, slapstick humor, or oversized winches. Moving a piano safely takes skill, precision, and years of experience. At Aaron Bros. Moving System, Inc., our professional piano movers have been handling these valuable instruments for more than five decades. Here’s how professionals move a piano the right way.
The Movie Version of Piano Moving
In film, piano moving is often played for laughs or suspense. You’ll see movers struggling to fit a baby grand through a doorframe, a piano teetering out a window, or a rope snapping at the worst possible moment.
While those scenes are entertaining, they’re far from realistic. Real-life piano movers don’t use haphazard ropes or open windows. They rely on careful planning, specialized tools, and teamwork to move these heavy, delicate instruments without a single scratch.
The Reality: How to Move a Piano Safely
If you’ve ever wondered how to move a piano, know that it’s one of the hardest items to relocate. Pianos are large, heavy, and fragile all at once — combining precision mechanics with fine craftsmanship. A single misstep can damage internal strings, tuning pins, or the finish.
Here’s what the process actually looks like for professional piano movers:
1. Pre-Move Assessment
Before anything is lifted, experts evaluate the piano’s size, type, and location. Whether it’s an upright or a baby grand, movers measure doorways, hallways, and stairs to plan the safest route.
2. Preparation and Protection
Each piano is wrapped in thick moving blankets and secured with straps to prevent movement during transport. For grand pianos, movers remove the legs, pedals, and lid to reduce stress on the frame.
3. Specialized Equipment
Unlike the movie version, where pianos are carried by brute strength, real piano movers use specialized equipment such as piano boards (called “skids”), ramps, dollies, and padded covers. This gear keeps the instrument stable and balanced.
4. Careful Transport
During transport, movers ensure the piano remains level and cushioned against vibration or impact. Our team secures every load using trucks equipped with lift gates and interior tie-downs.
5. Reassembly and Placement
Once at its new location, the team carefully reassembles the piano, placing it exactly where the owner wants it. The movers inspect the piano for alignment and stability before it’s ready to play again.
Why You Should Always Hire Professional Piano Movers
Pianos can weigh anywhere from 300 to over 1,000 pounds, and their internal parts are highly sensitive. Attempting to move one without experience can lead to injuries or costly damage. That’s why hiring professional piano movers like Aaron Bros. Moving System, Inc. is so important.
Our Chicago-based team has decades of experience handling every type of piano — uprights, baby grands, and concert grands — in homes, schools, and performance spaces. We know how to navigate tight staircases, narrow doorways, and even city alleyways safely and efficiently.
When you trust Aaron Bros., you’re not just hiring movers; you’re hiring experts who understand the value of your instrument and the care it deserves.
Aaron Bros.: Trusted Piano Movers in Chicago
For more than 55 years, Aaron Bros. Moving System, Inc. has been Chicago’s go-to team for safe, professional piano moving. We bring the same attention to detail to every move, whether it’s across town or across the city.
If you’re searching for how to move a piano or need trusted piano movers for your next relocation, let Aaron Bros. handle it. We’ll move your piano with precision, care, and the respect it deserves—no movie drama required.
Contact Aaron Bros. Moving System, Inc. today to schedule your piano move and experience the difference that true professionals make.
