It is difficult to get rid of an upright piano.It is much easier to disassemble the piano.You won't be able to use the piano again if you take it apart and damage it.To expose the piano's inner workings, begin by removing all of the outer pieces.The keyboard and action brackets need to be removed.The rest of the piano structure needs to be torn apart.
Step 1: The piano lid and key cover can be opened.
The keys are on the keyboard over the lid of the piano.The pieces should open easily.Lift the key cover and push it backwards until it stops.The piano's lid is on a hinge and can be opened from the front.The piano lid can be screwed down or secured.If the lid doesn't open, look for screws to hold it down.Lift the lid by removing them.
Step 2: To expose the harp, unhinge the piano desk.
The part of the piano in front of you is the desk.You can see behind the desk with the lid open.The piano body is secured by a hinge on each side of the desk.You can free the desk by sliding the hooks out of the hinges.Lift the desk off the piano.Help may be needed for this step.A second person will make it easier to lift a heavy piano desk.The desk is secured with screws.Remove the screws that hold the desk to the body.
Step 3: Remove the piano key cover.
The screws are attached to the key cover.The screws are behind the cover when you remove the piano desk.Lift the key cover and remove them.
Step 4: Pull out the lower board.
The lower board is underneath the piano and contains the foot pedals.The piano has an inner mechanism.It's secured by a pin and spring.There is a metal pin under the keyboard.To release the board, push this upward.The board should be out of position.When you push the pin, keep your hand on the board.It could fall on you.
Step 5: Remove the top lid.
The top lid is the final outer piece.It has hinges on it.Remove the hinges from the piano body.Lift the lid.You should put the wood pieces in a safe place.You could trip on them if you leave them out and near the work area.
Step 6: The muffler should be removed from the action.
The piano's strings have a muffler felt on them.It runs across the strings of the piano.The muffler is usually held down with a wing nut.Lift the muffler out of the wing nut when it comes loose.Sometimes the muffler doesn't have a wing nut.Press the spring on the side of the muffler to disengage it.Lift it out of the piano.
Step 7: The action brackets have bolts.
hammers strike the strings in the piano action.Above the keyboard is where it is located.The piano has metal brackets connected to it that hold the action down.To remove the knobs, turn them clockwise.The action is no longer secured once all 4 are removed.If you don't have a screwdriver, you can usually turn these knobs by hand.If there is a screwdriver in the knobs, use it.
Step 8: Lift the action mechanism off the ground.
The action is free to move when the knobs are removed.Pull the action forward until it reaches a 45 degree angle by grabbing 2 of the brackets from the top.Lift up to remove it.Lift from the brackets, because touching the internal mechanism could cause damage.Don't worry where you grab to lift the action out if you are scrapping the piano pieces.It's a good idea to have someone else help lift the action out.
Step 9: Lift the keys from the keyboard.
The keys don't have to be secured down because they are resting on pins.Pull the keys up to remove the keyboard.Put the keys in a container.If you want to restore other pianos, you should buy the keys.Asking local music shops if they are interested in buying spare parts is a good way to find out.
Step 10: The harp needs to be loosened for safety.
The piano harp can be accessed with the keyboard and action removed.The back of the piano has a metal frame secured to it.Don't do anything else until you loosen the strings.If one of the metal strings on the harp snaps, it can cut you.There are tuning pegs at the top of the harp.Then turn each one clockwise.You can buy a string turner.This is similar to a drill that wraps around a tuning fork and loosens or tightens strings.If you want to sell the strings, remove them completely by cutting them with wire cutters below the tuning peg.
Step 11: The piano body has a key bed.
The piano has a key bed that is attached to it with screws.The locations of the screw are determined by the manufacturer.There are screws on the back legs of the key bed.Look at the bottom of the bed.Pull the key bed off after removing any screws.If you throw the piano out, you don't have to be very careful.To break the key bed away from the piano body, use a mallet or sledgehammer.The rest of the piano may be off balance now that the key bed is gone.Children should be kept away from the piano until you are done working.
Step 12: Place the piano on its back.
It is safer to finish the work with the piano on its back if the key bed is gone.Take the piano down to the floor slowly.Someone else can help with this heavy piece.If you guide the piano down, be careful not to put your fingers on the floor.
Step 13: The piano side supports need to be removed.
There are two planks on each side of the piano.This is where the wheels are on most upright pianos.There are screws inside the piano frame.Pull the side planks off after removing all of them.The plank will come off with a few hits from a hammer.If you don't want to keep the wood in good shape, pound it from the inside out with a mallet.They should be knocked out by a few clean hits.
Step 14: Remove the piano harp to finish the job.
The piano harp is the last piece to be removed.The piano body has bolts and screws on it.Remove all the screws from the harp.Lift the harp off the piano.The harp is stuck to the wood on some upright pianos.You won't be able to get the harp out if you remove all the screws.Before you remove the harp, make sure the strings are loose.