[CAUT] Moving Grand Pianos Intra-Department

[David Skolnik]

Paul,
As a preface, I would point out to you that, by intent or not, you've 
posted to the older CAUT list, which, along with its sister, 
pianotech at ptg.org, is currently slated for shut down in a little more 
than a week.

To the matter of your question however, I would say that there are, 
as far as I know, only two significant issues about which I tend to 
disagree with our honorable friend from the land of pineapples.  One 
is when the discussion goes to how long it should take to tune a 
piano.  The other, it would seem, is this issue about piano 
moving.  I am of the diametrically opposite opinion. Here's my take:

- First, I'm glad that at least someone had the sense to nix the 
student idea.  Even the success of using students for stage moves 
depends a great deal on the stage-culture of the particular 
institution, i.e. respect for how they do their job.

- Depending upon your institution, maintenance workers union may not 
allow them to do this work, nor should they.  As with aforementioned 
stage-culture, there is a range of piano-moving culture, and skill, 
that should not be taken for granted.  And, if something were to go 
wrong, whose insurance covers either worker or piano?   You say the 
department doesn't have the money for immanent moves.  I don't 
believe it.  You just finished saying that you (the institution) 
could save thousands of dollars using students, which would imply 
that you do these moves fairly frequently.  Is that accurate?  If so, 
why?  Why are you moving pianos so often?   Besides, I find it hard 
to believe that you couldn't call around and work out a deal with a 
mover who is experienced, intelligent and wants the work.  Find ways 
to make it easy for them.  Maybe you do, in fact, acquire the basic 
equipment, so that they don't have to drag their stuff from the truck 
each time.  Stuff like that.

Now, if you wanted to take it on yourself, that might be a different story.

Sooner or later, one of the maintenance guys may figure out how to 
tune a piano, after listening to you a few times.  Then, watch out.

Just my view, but I'm right.

David Skolnik
Hastings on Hudson, NY





At 05:55 PM 12/4/2011, you wrote:
>Paul
>
>It would be very cost effective to have the university people do the 
>moving. The school needs to buy the dolly, skid board, and blankets, 
>but if you've observed enough moves you should be able to supervise 
>the moves. If possible, try to get the same crew to do this every 
>time, so you don't have to keep teaching what to do.
>Since I did a lot of moving myself in the past, I only supervised, 
>but did half the work. But there is no need to be that much 
>involved. Once the crew gets the hang of it, moving a piano is not 
>that difficult.
>
>I used to move the uprights myself, even getting them up on a dolly. 
>But if I was still at a school, I would now ask for help.
>
>Moving the grands on stage is for the students who are responsible 
>for that. The most you might need to do is instruct them how to move 
>a piano through a door.
>
>Wim
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Paul Milesi <paul at pmpiano.com>
>To: PTG CAUT List <caut at ptg.org>
>Sent: Sun, Dec 4, 2011 12:22 pm
>Subject: [CAUT] Moving Grand Pianos Intra-Department
>
>
>We need to move a few grand pianos within our music department at school.
>No stairs are involved, just breaking down, relocating via dolly and
>elevator, and setting up again.  In the past, the department has used
>outside professional piano movers, both from a dealer and independent.
>
>I have suggested that this is not cost-effective, and indeed we now don't
>have the money for imminent required moves.  I have previously put forth the
>idea of using either students or physical plant/maintenance staff.  Of
>course the student idea was shot down because of liability issues.  But what
>about maintenance staff?  Although I am not a piano mover per se, I've
>probably witnessed enough moves and stood by insisting on removal of the
>lyre, etc. to be able to instruct and provide guidance to those with the
>brawn I lack.
>
>What do those on the list think?  How do your schools move pianos
>internally, and what is your personal involvement?  Do you supervise or
>instruct/teach proper moving techniques?  At $250 for one standard move, it
>seems to me that a change in policy here could save our department literally
>thousands of dollars.
>
>While we're on the moving topic: Do you yourselves ever move uprights, or
>lend a hand positioning pianos on a recital stage or in a studio?  Just
>curious.
>
>Paul Milesi RPT
>Washington DC
>(202) 246-3136 Cell/Text
><mailto:paul at pmpiano.com>paul at pmpiano.com
>http://www.pmpiano.com
>
>

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