Environmental Alternatives

     Well, well.  So you want to move a piano yourself, huh?  And your helpers have no idea what to do, right?  Plus you don't want to scratch your floor, rip the carpet, ding the walls, break off the pedals, or drop the piano, right?  Not to mention smashing your fingers in the doorway or setting the piano down on your bare feet.  When it comes to stairs and tight corners, now what?  Add to all this that it's 11:00 pm, raining and slippery and none of your helpers showed up.  Only the children and pets came to watch and the're right in front of wherever you want to go.  The worst problem is how on earth to get the thing in and out of your truck.  Maybe it's time to hire professional piano movers, O.K.?  Forget it!  They cost too mych, and besides, you're sure you could do this yourself.  Heck, with enough people, you could just pick the thing up and carry it.  Why not?  Or maybe you should read this little book and learn some short-cuts and techniques.  Good idea.
     Let's see now, you only want to read the parts that apply to you?  Go to those sections and find the answers.  However, since it's a short book, it might not be a bad idea to read it from cover to cover in case something else comes up.  The more you know, the better prepared you'll be.  Well, here goes.  Take a look at some of the topics.

    BASIC RULES
    EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING
    VARIOUS VAYS OF TRANSPORTING PIANOS
    TECHNIQUES FOR LOADING, TYING DOWN & UNLOADING VARIOUS VEHICLES
    TECHNIQUES FOR LIFTING AND SETTING DOWN A PIANO
    STAIRS, CORNERS, SLOPES, ELEVATORS
    FLOOR SURFACES
    INCLEMENT WEATHER
    UNUSUAL TERRAIN
    MANEUVERS
    FINDING HELP AND GIVING DIRECTIONS
    PROTECTING THE PIANO
    SAFETY
    IMPOSSIBLE BUT TRUE:  STORIES

• What types of floor surfaces will the piano be resting on and moving over?
• How many steps and stairs do you need to contend with?
• Are there any tight corners, turns, or odd angles?
• What type of equipment do you have access to?
• What kind of piano are you moving?
• What type of truck are you using?
• How many people will help?
• How soon is this?
• Any hills?