The question many people ask is why re-tuning the piano after moving is a necessity. This is mainly because environmental challenges like humidity shifts can cause the piano to go out of tune.
Let's find out more about why you should tune your piano after moving. Don't get too lazy with this step, as if you don't tune your piano, you could spoil your piano for good.
Humidity
When a piano is moved from one location to another, it suffers due to the changes in temperature. Unless your piano is moved by professionals who use a climate-controlled van, it may react to the changes caused by the move.
If the piano is not kept in a place with sufficient airborne moisture, the wood can shrink, and the parts of the piano can loosen, crack, and shift. Because of this, the instrument can easily go out of tune. Pianos are made of extremely delicate materials, which is why you must keep them in a controlled environment.
Dryness
Even though humidity is the number one worry when it comes to moving pianos, dryness can also damage them. When internal moisture evaporates, the soundboard of the keyboard starts to shrink. When this part loses its moisture, it risks cracking. You will be surprised to know how common this is when it comes to moving pianos.
If your piano is not being moved in a controlled environment, you cannot prevent cracks. Moreover, dryness can also cause the pitch of the piano to flatten. If the air is very dry, the glued joints that keep the soundboard and other wooden parts together may weaken.
How to Ensure that Your Piano is Tuned When Moving it
Relocation is not the reason why pianos lose their tuning. Instead, it is what happens during the move that is the main problem. The key is to figure out a way to stabilize the piano's tune when you are moving it.
The first step is to ensure that you are moving early in the day or late at night. This is because, during these times, the temperature is much lower as compared to other parts of the day. This means that the moving van will also be less humid during this time.
When you move the piano, it is best to use a humidifier in the van. This device will help keep the temperature stable throughout the entire move, ensuring that the piano stays in tune for a long period of time.