The packing process might be one of the scariest experiences you will have during the move. Based on how you pack your belongings, you will influence their safety during the trip. Don’t think about their packing, and there is a high chance that you might damage them. This is especially true for fragile items or those that are prone to damage due to environmental conditions. If you are a musician, then you know the struggle. Having to pack and move musical instruments from one venue to the next is a hassle – but having to do it during a move is a nightmare. Luckily, Heart Moving Manhattan NYC is here to help you. In this article, we go over some of the steps you need to consider for each of the three types of instruments, and things to keep in mind when packing them.
How to pack a piano
The toughest instruments to properly pack are string instruments. This is because they are usually made of wood, which can splinter, warp, or shatter under pressure. Not only that but transporting your instruments can damage their strings and also render them useless. However, when one thinks about having to move musical instruments, the first thing that pops into their mind is a piano. This “monstrosity” is often the hardest thing to transport due to its size and weight. Therefore, let’s take a look at how you would pack and move a piano.
The first step is to properly secure the instrument. Some of these will have a lock on their keyboard or a mechanism to close them. If your instrument has this, make sure you use it. It is there for a reason – to protect the keys during transport. Then, examine your instrument. If there are any removable parts, make sure you remove them. Things like music stands usually come to mind when talking about this.
After that, it’s time to properly pack your instrument. If you are unsure about how to do it, make sure you inquire your moving service Manhattan about packing. If you want to do it yourself, then grab the blankets, towels, bubble pack – any wrapping material you have. You will want to wrap everything up and secure it in place using packing tape. Make sure you apply extra padding on protruding parts – like legs and pedals – cause they can break off easily during the trip. After that, talk to your professional movers about moving the piano. Don’t attempt to do this by yourself because not only can you damage the instrument – but you can injure yourself, too.
How to pack and move string instruments
When it comes to the other string instruments, things might get just a little easier. Guitars, cellos, harps – all of these are easy enough to move by one person. However, you will still want to pack and move musical instruments carefully – because the dangers still remain. First, ensure you loosen up the strings. This way, even if they do suffer some pressure, they will not snap. You can tune them again once your long distance movers Manhattan deliver them home safely. If there are tuning keys, make sure you turn them parallel to the headstock. The reasoning is the same as the pedals on the piano – you do not want these to break off during the trip.
A useful thing to have during this process is the instrument case. If they came with it, then you will want to transport them inside of it. Usually, the case is hard enough to resist any bumps and pressure. However, you will want to add crumpled paper in the case so that the instrument doesn’t jump around within it. This can sometimes lead to damages during bumpy trips. However, avoid using smaller pieces, because they can get inside some instruments and ruin them.
If you do not have the case, then you will want to use the packing materials just like with a piano. Try using plastic, because it will repel any water from the instrument. Sometimes, even a trash bag will work. Just make sure that the plastic is completely dry before you use it – just like you would protect wooden furniture when moving. Of course, seal it with tape, and use a bubble pack for extra protection. Then, you can put it in a regular cardboard box, and add some packing peanuts as yet another layer of protection.
How to pack and move brass and woodwind musical instruments
Things get even easier when you are talking about brass and woodwind instruments. Usually, you can disassemble these with ease – that’s how you transport them anyway. They will also come in a hard case, and each piece usually has its own place inside of it. This way, you do not need to use any padding peanuts or crumpled paper for these instruments.
However, if you do not have a hard case, then you will need to create something similar yourself. First, wrap each piece of the instrument separately. This way, the pieces cannot bump against each other while in the box and leave scratches and marks. Then, you will also want to add a layer of padding to the box – like towels, peanuts, etc. This way, you protect your instruments from all forms of damage while transporting them.
Packing and moving drums
Finally, there are drums. Usually, you should be able to stack these inside each other, and then just worry about the bigger piece. If not, then you will want to repeat this process for each piece in your set. First, find a box that’s a little bigger than the drum – at least 2 to 4 inches. This way, you will be able to place the drum inside together with a layer of protection.
Before that, make sure you disassemble the drum as much as you can – just like when you pack and move other musical instruments. Don’t worry – you will tune your drums after the move, just like every other instrument too. You can transport tension rods and similar pieces separately, in a plastic bag that you seal shut with a packing tape. The same goes for spurs and legs – just make sure you wrap them in a bubble pack first.
