Different Types of Pianos that can adorn your living room

Types of Pianos: Besides a source of entertainment, the piano can be an elegant piece of furniture in your living room and an elegant focal point. Make sure the piano you choose complements the decor and your lifestyle and also strikes a chord with your family.

Contents hide

1 Introduction

2 Types of Pianos

2.1 Grand Pianos & Baby Grand Pianos

2.2 Upright Pianos (Vertical Pianos)

2.3 Digital Pianos

2.4 Toy Pianos

2.5 Related Posts:

Introduction

A piano (acoustic or digital) can come in various looks – upright, grand piano or the simple portable piano look, each targeting a different set of piano players, including beginners as well as professional pianists.

Here we take a look at the various types of pianos (the digital ones have more portable options).

Types of Pianos

Grand Pianos & Baby Grand Pianos

Grand Pianos (the biggest of them all): In the acoustic version, the strings are laid horizontally to the ground, for the best sound (as the vibrations are directed upwards). Baby Grand pianos are smaller than the grand pianos but similar in shape and structure.

Grand piano vs baby grand piano size

The concert grand piano is the biggest/largest grand piano usually used by star pianists. These pianos can range in size from 9′ and up. Some concert grand pianos are even bigger, but most common concert grand pianos are around the 9′ mark.

Concert grand pianos produce big, beautiful sounds and also look impressive on stage.

9 feet concert grand piano

Upright Pianos (Vertical Pianos)

In Upright acoustic pianos, the strings are vertical in position. Sound is good but the richness of the sound is not as good as on a grand piano. You do get smaller vertical pianos with shorter strings, which do not take a lot of space.

A vertical (upright) piano

Note: You may also hear some other words to refer to upright pianos based on their heights — words like studio uprights, consoles and spinets. The tallest vertical pianos are ‘Upright pianos’, then the ‘Studio Pianos’, then comes the ‘Console Pianos’, and the shortest are the Spinet Pianos

Over the years, even with acoustic pianos, the preference has been more towards a smaller model that people could comfortably keep in their house, and also afford. That explains the transition from the grand pianos to the baby grands to the various vertical pianos, and now to the various portable digital pianos, and that too with different number of keys.

Digital Pianos

The types of pianos listed above are also available as digital pianos (though there are fewer options when it comes to the digital version of grand pianos). That is because people usually prefer digital pianos for its portability.

On a digital piano, the sound is produced using sound samples that are stored digitally on the instrument, which are then triggered through the keys.

In recent years, digital pianos have become more popular due to the conveniences that these instruments offer, compared to an acoustic piano. Digital pianos are more compact and require less space (especially the portable version) and they also do not require any maintenance.

A grand digital piano

An upright console digital piano (also known as Home digital piano)

Upright and grand digital pianos have the classic traditional piano look; these have a good set of sounds and are visually very appealing. Upright digital pianos (console, spinet or portable versions) are compact and require less space.

You also get hybrid pianos that combine the elegance and authenticity of acoustic pianos and combine it with the features of a digital piano.

Digital Grand Pianos are not so commonly used for learning & practicing; these are used mostly by professional pianists, music conservatories, five-star hotels, and people who want nothing but the best (these pianos are the closest match to an acoustic grand piano). Having said that, these people can also afford and have the means to own a top-end acoustic grand piano.

Digital baby grand pianos, hybrid pianos and player pianos are also available. With polished ebony cabinet, expressive grand piano sound, powerful speakers, and numerous instrument sounds, these digital grand pianos combine the features of acoustic grand pianos with the modern & flexible features available with digital technology.

Toy Pianos

Although the toy piano is basically designed for kids, you get toy pianos that are acoustic in nature and produce a unique sound that appeals to several musicians.