The piano has been around since the 1700s and has long been a favorite instrument. Initially invented in Italy, the piano has gone through a number of changes to reach its most modern form. As expected, over the years this instrument has transformed to come in an array of shapes and sizes, and while the multiple types of pianos make for a fun search, it can feel complicated, too.
So, how many different types of pianos are there, then? The simple answer is “a lot.” With so many piano types, the three most popular kinds have been broken into groups: acoustic, hybrid, and digital. Within each of these categories is a wide range of piano options, depending on your size preference and the additional technology you’re looking for.
Feeling overwhelmed? We understand. At Music Exchange, we sell an array of the most popular pianos. With this experience comes a great deal of insight into the different types of pianos, and we are here to share what we know. To help you find the best piano for your practice, we’ve created a guide to the three most common types. Check it out!
Acoustic Pianos
As we mentioned before, the different types of pianos can be broken into three categories - acoustic, hybrid, and digital. However, the styles of pianos can also be broken down into grand pianos and upright pianos. That being said, since acoustic is the most popular piano type, both grand and uprights will be considered here.
To start, we are sharing all the ins and outs of acoustic pianos, including everything you need to know about grand pianos and upright pianos to decide which is best for you.
Grand Pianos
Of all the different pianos, a genuine grand piano is one of the most finely crafted pianos you can buy. With a higher price tag, you will also receive improved craftsmanship for a truly cherished piece. While this is definitely a luxury item, it’s one that can be played by a range of pianists. Of course, professional pianists will rely on this piano type, but it can make a fine piece for everyone.
Typically, grand pianos are on the larger side and can take up a significant amount of space in a home depending on its size. And while this may come at a higher price, it has some big advantages over an upright piano. One of these perks is that you can utilize the double escapement mechanism to play keys incredibly quickly - something that isn't built into an upright piano and can make certain musical techniques impossible.
Since grand pianos are so beloved, they come in 7 different classifications which can range in size. Let’s break it down.
Petit grand: Petit grand is the smallest of the grand pianos, ranging from 4’5” to 4’11”. The small piano name using “petit” signifies exactly what makes this piano unique - its small size. While it may be small, this piano choice will still produce a mighty sound. The petit grand produces a powerful sound that offers an impressive noise for musicians, despite its smaller build.
Baby grand: The next step up from a petit grand is the baby grand, which ranges in size from 5’ to 5.5’. This is an incredibly popular piano type for pianists due to its high-quality sound. A baby grand offers impeccable tonal quality. Plus, it looks beautiful too and comes at a more affordable price than some other types of grand pianos on the market.
Medium grand: Next up is the medium grand. This piano is usually between 5’6” and 5’8”, offering a slightly larger size than some of the other piano types. A medium grand piano is most known for the size of the soundboard and the length of the strings, which impacts the tonal quality of the piano.
Professional: To size up from the medium grand, you can opt for the professional grand, which is between 5’9” and 6’2”. This piano will offer a balanced sound that reflects tones from the strings outward for an amplified sound, which can be quite impactful due to its size.
Parlor grand: The parlor grand piano ranges from 6’3” to 6’10” in size. This is often referred to as the “living room” piano and is one you will frequently find in homes. It is a beautiful piano choice that not only can be used to practice your musical skills but serve as a centerpiece in the home, too. They get their alternate name, “living room” piano, due to their ability to be used in large rooms at home, in moderate rehearsal areas, and sometimes in a recital hall if it’s not too large.
Semi-concert grand: The semi-concert grand piano is between 6’11” and 7’8” - quite a large size compared to the petit grand. This is an ideal piano for medium to large venues and is frequently used by recording studios due to its balanced tones. It offers a unique depth to the sound for a beautiful finish.
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Concert grand: Last is the concert grand piano, the largest of the different piano styles in the grand category. This piano is usually between 8’11” and 9’ and, due to its size and the big sound it can create, is the go-to choice for large venues. This piano choice will create the richest sound and greatest volume, all with a very balanced tone.
There are quite a few grand piano types, but the sheer size difference can help you zero in on the best one for you. If you’re looking to fill a larger space and have a centerpiece as an attraction, a parlor grand piano, or larger, will be perfect for you. However, if you’re looking for a smaller, less obtrusive solution, a petit grand will suit you just fine.
Upright Pianos
Another one of the acoustic piano types is the upright piano. This is likely the most common acoustic piano that you will see everywhere - from in homes, to schools, and at churches.
While the various kinds of upright pianos may be less imposing than a grand piano, they aren’t necessarily small. Typically, upright pianos are four feet tall at least and feature a “vertical” design in the way that they can be easily placed against a wall to save space. Additionally, upright pianos are referred to as vertical due to the way the strings are placed vertically behind the keys, which causes them to be so tall. As a result, the sound on the piano is quite big. Typically, this style of piano will have a softer, slower action that can make them slightly more challenging to play.
Due to the beautiful sound and cheaper price tag, many are eager to purchase upright pianos for their family, and there are a few to choose from. From spinets to consoles, studio, and full uprights, here are the options you have.
Spinet: First up for the different types of pianos categorized as upright is the spinet. This is the smallest of the upright pianos, usually around 38 inches tall and 58 inches wide. This is an ideal choice for those looking to fit a piano into a smaller space, like an apartment or condo. While this is a great small space solution, this style of piano is less powerful and can lose accuracy due to its construction, and may even cost more to repair.
Console: Next is the console piano. This is larger than a spinet, usually ranging from 40-43 inches tall and 58 inches wide. The best part about this piano type is that it comes in a range of styles and finishes to perfectly match your decor, making it a super popular choice. Additionally, this piano provides more direct action with hammers that are in an upright position and sit right above the keys, creating an enhanced tone compared to a spinet piano.
Studio: Next up is the studio piano. This is one of the most well-known upright pianos and is often seen in studios, classrooms, and music schools. It’s around 45 to 48 inches tall and 58 inches wide, with a larger soundboard and springs that bring an enhanced tone quality and richness to the sound. The sound it creates is quite comparable to that of a grand piano.
Full upright: Last is the full upright piano. This is the largest of the kinds of upright pianos and features soundboards that are almost as large as that of a baby grand. With this in mind, this piano can often be used in place of a baby grand in a home - taking up less space while offering a comparable sound.
Hybrid Pianos
We’ve shared a great deal about the acoustic piano types, but what about hybrid pianos?
Hybrid pianos are a piano type that offers the acoustic touch, with a digital piano influence. With this in mind, hybrid pianos are basically digital pianos that still have the real piano action, helping a pianist feel as though they are playing a regular acoustic-style piano.
Similar to acoustic pianos, hybrid piano types can be divided into grand and upright. To avoid repeating what we’ve already shared about the differences between the two, let’s instead consider the different techniques applied to the various hybrid piano types. To help you better understand this, we are sharing some of the most common options below.
Disklavier
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The Disklavier is a reproducing piano that offers cutting-edge sound using two patented systems that work in unison to create a unique sound. With Optical Sensor systems and AccuPlay Technology, Yamaha Disklavier pianos interpret every subtle key, hammer, and pedal movement to produce a beautiful note. The Yamaha Disklavier also gives you the ability to record performances and playback later for friends and family.
Silent
Are your neighbors complaining about the noise coming from your kid’s piano lessons? The Silent Piano is the way to go. With this piano choice, you can actually switch to “silent mode” and allow the piano to reproduce the acoustic tones and sounds into headphones to stop disturbances throughout the house. Yamaha Silent Pianos accurately capture the sound and nuances of every session, sharing it only with the player through headphones.
TransAcoustic
The TransAcoustic piano is a true acoustic piano, using a soundboard to naturally amplify the digital sounds with TransAcoustic Technology. This technology helps bring acoustic elements to life through digital sounds.
Avantgrand
With Yamaha Avantgrand pianos, your piano will be equipped with similar parts and mechanisms that come in an acoustic piano, bringing to life the vibrations of strings and the harmonics and overtones found in classic acoustic pianos, and revolutionizing that in a hybrid format.
Digital Pianos
The last of the three different types of pianos is the digital piano. This piano type has quickly surpassed both upright and grand pianos to be one of the most popular choices for a home. But why is this?
A digital piano is not only a more affordable option but doesn’t need to be tuned. And as if that’s not enough, it can recreate the sound of a piano due to sampling and algorithms. With this, the digital piano will react to your touch producing a sound like an acoustic piano based on how you’re playing.
As we mentioned, digital pianos not only come in both an upright and grand piano format but can be made portable, too. Here’s what that means for you.
Portable Digital Pianos
Digital pianos can be made portable and allow pianists to enjoy the sounds of an acoustic piano, no matter where they are. With a portable design that allows you to take it wherever you want - from a recording studio to different rooms in a house or even a concert hall, portable digital pianos are a versatile choice that can add digital effects to a sound. With built-in speakers and a quality sound, this is a piano that can go just about anywhere.
Digital Piano Examples
As digital pianos work to reproduce the sound of an acoustic piano in a digital format, sans the heavy keys and complicated strings, they have evolved to come in a few different formats - Clavinova and Arius being the most popular of the digital piano types.
To enjoy the sounds of an acoustic piano in your home with a more tech-savvy, affordable design, here are your options.
Clavinova
The Yamaha Clavinova pianos are an electric keyboard piano type that recreates the sound and performance of a concert grand piano, at a fraction of the size (and price!). It offers an authentic acoustic action with an elegant design that not only sounds good but looks good, too. It’s beloved by new piano players, teachers, and all those looking to practice their skills on a more digital, forward-thinking piano.
Arius
Another digital piano choice is the Yamaha Arius piano. This compact piano option offers the wonderful touch of an acoustic piano, combining it with the CFX concert grand sound for a piano option that suits just about any home. This piano choice has a super sleek design with a powerful, unmistakable, grand piano tone.
Conclusion
With so many types of pianos to choose from, how can you ever narrow it down?
Whether you’ve been dying for the authentic sound of an acoustic piano, are looking for a more convenient option like a digital choice, or want the best of both worlds with a hybrid piano, the choice is yours. Ultimately, it comes down to the amount of space you have, expertise, the size of the room you’re entertaining, and the amount of money you’re looking to spend.
Of all the different types of pianos, we know the right one for you is within reach, and Music Exchange has just the selection for you. For more help finding your new piano, contact us today, or book an appointment online.
Piano Guidance
Photo: Madison Inouye
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