Grand pianos are wing shaped and are also known as horizontal pianos because of their length and placement of strings.
They are the largest piano type, and also the most majestic. The grand piano’s signature timbre is reliant on the quality and workmanship of making, and also on the length of its strings and soundboard.
Grand pianos produce finer tones and have the most responsive key actions. The longer strings allow frequencies to resonate from a larger surface area, projecting a more balanced, richer and full bodied sound across the room.
Due to this, they are often the choice of most serious pianists who can afford them. Grand pianos are suitable for larger size rooms that can accommodate them.
Different piano manufacturers named their grand piano types differently depending on the length sizes. Examples below also shows what is the difference between a grand piano and a baby grand piano.
Examples:
- Yamaha piano [here] categorised their grand pianos into only 3 types – baby grand (below 6′), classic grand (between 6′ to 7′) and concert grand (over 7′), whereas
- Kawai piano [here] categorised their grands up to 7 types – baby grand (below 5’2″), classic grand (5’5 to 6′), conservatory grand (6’2″ ), chamber grand (6’7″), orchestra grand (7′), semi-concert (7’6″) and concert grand (9′).
To reduce confusion, we tend to simplify grand pianos into 6 common types as follows:
Summary:
If you are playing professionally, or have a very large room and you have the budget for it; you may prefer the grand piano for its rich dynamic tones and crisp responsive key actions.
Disclaimer: the dimensions of grand piano may vary from various online sources.