Bill Hennessy, the owner of Keyboard Express, has been moving pianos for 24 years and says the keys to tackling the ivories in New York City are parking skills and brain power.

"It's good to have strong guys from time to time but most of our work really takes more thought than anything," says Hennessy, stressing that piano moving relies on leverage and team work. "The majority of the time, if we are on a move, we don't even speak. Everyone has worked together for so long. We work well as a team."

Hennessy likes working with people. "Some people," says Hennessy, "their pianos are their lives. The piano is number one and everything else comes second." He has an old upright at home and although he doesn't play, his three kids all take piano lessons. "Two of them enjoy it. One doesn't like it at all. But two out of three ain't bad."

As with many things, experience has helped Hennessy become a better piano mover. It also helps to have common sense and to be able to take instruction. When you're on a difficult move, only one person can be in the lead.

"The toughest moves can be the most pleasurable to do because you have the right crew."