The piano is noted as one of the best instruments to begin learning how to play from, mainly due to the ease of locating notes and identifying chords.
Most students tend to practice on a keyboard, which sounds and plays vastly different than the piano, due to its size and sound. The keys aren’t weighted and there aren’t usually any pedals, so it would better benefit you to practice on an actual piano if given the opportunity.
There are many types and sizes of pianos, however, that also vary in sound, size, and type, and have a different feel while playing.
Here we will evaluate several different kinds of pianos we teach on during piano lessons and what they may be utilized for.
VERTICAL PIANOS
The following are called vertical pianos because of their height, and the position of their strings:
1. The Upright
The upright is the tallest of the vertical pianos, ranging 50 to 60 inches and an approximate width of about 58 inches. It has a very rich tone and stands the test of time as a very durable piano.
It keeps a strong sound for many years as long as it is properly maintained. If one of your grandparents owned or owns a piano, this is probably the one that they have in their home. It is termed as “Grandma’s piano.”
2. The Spinet
Spinets are among the smallest of the uprights. The height is only a max of about 38 inches and a width of around 58.
It is a great choice for those who have more limited space in their home, apartment or condo to fit such an instrument. Be cautious if considering this type of piano, though: spinets are known to lose accuracy and have less power due to their construction, and also can cost more when repairing.
The sound creates what is called a “dropped action” when the force of the striking the key creates an action for the force of the hammer striking the string.
3. The Console
Console pianos are slightly bigger than Spinets, ranging more towards 40 to around 43 inches and 58 inches wide.
This piano’s claim to fame is that you can get the console in a wide variety of styles and finishes. This probably also aids its popularity, as it is the most favorite of all of the uprights.
The sound the console provides is more direct action, the hammers are in an upright position and sitting directly over the keys. When the hammer comes down, a string pulls the hammer back into place to be ready to strike again, producing a more enhanced tone.
4. The Studio
The well-known Studio pianos are what you might typically see in a music school, studio or classroom setting. Bigger than consoles their height is around 45 to 48 inches and width of 58 inches.
It has a larger soundboard and strings, so it has a richness in the tone quality that is comparable to grand pianos. Many of the studio pianos that you will find today are very similar in sound to the grand pianos.
HORIZONTAL PIANOS
These are also called the grand pianos and are called this because of their length and the placement of the strings. They produce much finer tones due to their construction.
When you press the keys on these pianos, the hammer hits the strings from below and then falls back, but it makes the sound of the notes very crisp and gives the pianist better control over the keys.
5. The Petite Grand
The smallest of horizontal pianos, the petite grand still produces a very powerful sound that is impressive for musicians. Its size is usually around 4 feet, 5 inches but can go as much as 4 feet, 10 inches in height.
6. The Baby Grand
The next up from the petite, the baby grand measures around 4 feet 11 inches to 5 feet 6 inches in height. The baby grand is a very popular piano for pianists, mainly due to its impressive tonal quality, but it also has an eye-pleasing aesthetic and is also affordable for many.
7. The Medium Grand
This piano is larger than a baby grand, approximately 5 feet 7 inches. The size of the soundboard and the length of strings influence the tonal quality of a piano.
8. The Parlor Grand
Next up in size, the parlor grand piano stands at 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet 1 inch in height. It is often referred to as the “living room” piano.
9. The Ballroom Grand
This piano is also called the Semiconcert grand and goes from 6 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 7 inches high.
10. The Concert Grand
This is the largest of all the grand pianos with a height of 9 feet.
It’s not just the size that changes with pianos. Most pianos have the signature 88 keys to play, but some manufacturers have actually added extra keys to “open up” new sounds and melodies.
This could create a whole new type of piano possibly. Another change you might discover with pianos is that the number of pedals differs if you’re in Europe – in America, there are a standard 3 pedals for pianos but in Europe, there is usually only just two.
Maybe you would like the idea of having your choice of finishes and go for a Console, or maybe you’d rather go for the fuller sound of having a grand piano and get the baby grand.
If you have limited space though, it’s worth looking into possibly going for the Spinit or a Petite. Whatever your choice in piano, there are numerous options to choose from. The instrument has evolved in many ways, and now you should have a better idea of the various types and sizes they come in.
