Keyboard Carriers specializes in professional piano moving throughout Denver and Colorado, handling everything from small upright pianos to large concert grand instruments. Each type of piano varies in size, weight, and structural design, which is why professional piano movers use specialized equipment and proven handling methods to transport these instruments safely. Below is a general overview of the most common types of pianos we move, along with typical size and weight ranges.
Types of Upright Pianos We Move
Upright pianos, also called vertical pianos, are one of the most common instruments found in homes, schools, and churches. Unlike grand pianos, upright pianos are built with their strings running vertically, allowing them to take up less floor space while still producing a full acoustic sound. These instruments can still weigh 300 to 800 pounds, which is why professional piano movers use specialized equipment when transporting them.
Below are the most common types of upright pianos we move throughout Colorado.
Spinet Piano
The spinet piano is the smallest type of vertical piano. These instruments typically measure 36 to 38 inches tall and are commonly found in residential homes. Because of their compact size they are easier to fit into smaller spaces, but they still require careful handling when moving due to their delicate internal action and weight.
Console Piano
Console pianos are slightly taller than spinets and typically measure 38 to 43 inches in height. These instruments are one of the most popular upright pianos for homes and schools. Console pianos offer a fuller sound than spinets while still maintaining a relatively compact footprint.
Studio Piano
Studio pianos are commonly used in music schools, rehearsal spaces, and teaching studios. These pianos usually measure 44 to 49 inches tall and are built with longer strings and larger soundboards than smaller upright models, allowing them to produce a stronger and more resonant tone.
Upright Player Pianos
Player pianos are upright or grand pianos equipped with an automated playing system. Older models used pneumatic roll mechanisms, while many modern player pianos include digital playback systems that allow the piano to perform automatically.
Most upright player pianos typically measure 44 to 52 inches tall and often weigh 600 to 900 pounds due to the additional mechanical or electronic components. Because of this extra weight and the sensitive internal systems, moving a player piano requires experienced piano movers and specialized equipment to ensure the instrument and player mechanism are protected during transport.
Upright Piano
The upright piano, sometimes called a professional upright or upright grand, is the largest type of vertical piano. These instruments typically measure 50 inches or taller and can weigh 600 to 800 pounds depending on the manufacturer. Upright pianos are frequently used in schools, churches, and performance environments because they provide a powerful sound while requiring less space than a grand piano.
Baby Grand Pianos
Baby grand pianos are the most common grand pianos found in homes. They typically measure 4’11” to about 5’7″ in length from the keyboard to the tail and generally weigh 500 to 650 pounds depending on the manufacturer and model.
Because of their size and weight distribution, baby grand pianos must be carefully placed onto a piano boardand secured before being moved through doorways, stairways, or tight spaces. These instruments are commonly moved during residential relocations, home renovations, or when being delivered from music stores.
Grand Pianos
Grand pianos are larger instruments commonly found in performance venues, music schools, and larger homes. Standard grand pianos typically measure 5’8″ to about 6’6″ in length and generally weigh 600 to 800 pounds.
Moving a grand piano requires experienced piano movers who understand how to properly disassemble and protect the instrument, including the legs, pedals, and lid. Professional piano moving equipment is used to stabilize the instrument during transport and ensure safe handling during loading and unloading.
Concert Grand Pianos
Concert grand pianos are the largest and most powerful acoustic pianos manufactured. These instruments are typically used in concert halls, universities, and professional performance spaces. Concert grands usually measure 8′ to 9′ in length and often weigh 900 to over 1,200 pounds.
Because of their size and value, concert grand pianos require highly experienced piano movers with specialized equipment designed for transporting large, high-value instruments safely.
Player Grand Pianos
Player grand pianos combine a traditional acoustic grand piano with a built-in automated playing system. These systems can be mechanical or modern digital player systems that allow the piano to perform automatically.
Player grand pianos generally fall within the same size ranges as baby grand or standard grand pianos, typically measuring 5′ to 7′ in length, but they often weigh slightly more due to the additional mechanical or electronic components. Professional piano movers must take extra care to protect these systems during transportation.