Piano Types Understanding and Choosing the Right One

Katherine Dvoskin, Co-Founder of K&M Music School

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Author: Katherine Dvoskin | Co-Founder of K&M Music School
Published October 16th , 2024

Need help picking the perfect piano? This quick guide compares popular piano types, including acoustic, digital, and silent pianos. It also includes size, sound, and cost. This will help you find the best option for your goals!

The piano is one of the most popular musical instruments in the world. With its versatile sound and range, the piano has something to offer players of all ages and skill levels. When buying a piano, there are important factors to consider. This helps you choose the best instrument for your needs and budget. This guide will show you the main types of pianos. It will also help you decide which one is right for you!

Piano Type	Key Characteristics	Recommended Brands
Upright Piano	Compact, affordable; ideal for beginners; limited sound complexity	Yamaha U1, Steinway B
Baby Grand	Rich tone; visually appealing; suitable for smaller spaces	Pearl River RGB-1, Schimmel Konzert 169
Grand Piano	Superior sound quality; requires significant space; most expensive option	Steinway Model D
Digital Piano	Portable; stays in tune; headphone compatible	Yamaha AvantGrand
Silent Piano	Combines acoustic and digital features; quiet practice option	Yamaha, Steinway

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Piano Cheat Sheet

Upright Pianos

Pros:
- Most affordable and compact option.
- Lower maintenance costs but limited tonal complexity.
Cons:
- Not as full and powerful of a sound as grand pianos.
- Shorter strings can impact tuning stability.

Description: Upright pianos are great for beginners, especially kids taking lessons. They might outgrow the piano as their skills improve. The price is moderate, and they take up less space. This makes upright pianos good choices for hobbyists or churches! Many popular upright pianos, like the Yamaha U1 and Steinway B, are under 48 inches tall. This makes them great for small spaces while still fitting a piano bench. Be sure to identify the ideal age to begin piano lessons for kids and measure doorways, staircases, and angles carefully. This way, you can make sure your new piano will fit where you want it!

Baby Grand Pianos

Pros:
- Rich tone is comparable to many larger grand pianos.
- Visually appealing for home furnishings.
- A smaller footprint fits better in tight spaces.
Cons:
- More expensive than upright pianos.
- A larger footprint still requires significant space.

Description: Baby grand pianos have a horizontal design. The strings extend horizontally inside the case. This gives them a unique look and sound! Baby grand pianos range from approximately 4 feet to 5 feet long. With a modest footprint, baby grands can fit well in smaller spaces. They offer the rich tone of a grand piano while being smaller and less expensive, making them great for many homeowners! Baby grand pianos have longer strings and a bigger soundboard, providing a great acoustic range that upright pianos can’t match. Trying different models can help you find what you like. Baby grand pianos, like the Pearl River RGB-1 and Schimmel Konzert 169, are great choices. They sound excellent and are high-quality instruments!

Grand Pianos

Pros:
- Considered the gold standard piano tone.
- Powerful, deep bass and singing treble notes.
- Visually striking statement piece.
Cons:
- Extremely heavy and challenging to move.
- Most expensive acoustic piano option.
- Substantial space requirements.

Description: Grand pianos are the largest type of acoustic piano. Some concert grand pianos can be nearly 9 feet long. While they take up a lot of space, they offer amazing sound quality and resonance. The longer strings help create true acoustic reverberation. Steinway’s precision craftsmanship helps create their famous sound, including hand-fitted rim construction and patented duplex scaling. The Steinway Model D concert grand is the undisputed king of grand pianos.

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Digital Pianos

Pros:
- Stay in tune without needing regular tuning.
- Often a more affordable option.
- Can use headphones for private practice.
- Take up less space.
Cons:
- The sound quality still doesn’t match fine acoustic pianos.
- Keys often have more limited touch sensitivity.

Description: Digital pianos mimic the sound and feel of acoustic pianos. They use weighted keys and advanced sound sampling, creating a similar playing experience. Today’s top digital pianos sound very similar to acoustic pianos, and most people can’t tell the difference. Digital technology also allows for recording and sound customization. Innovative digital pianos, like the Yamaha AvantGrand, offer more than regular models, capturing subtle sounds and advanced physics modeling. Compact digital pianos are great starter instruments for kids, fitting well in children’s rooms and allowing practice with headphones. Check out 7 piano practice tips to prevent hand, arm, or back pain to enhance your practice sessions.

Silent Pianos

Pros:
- Provides both authentic acoustic tones and digital control.
- Can play quietly with headphones.
- Best of both worlds in one instrument.
Cons:
- More expensive than stand-alone acoustic or digital models.
- Heavier than digital pianos.

Description: Silent pianos are hybrid pianos that combine traditional acoustic strings and hammers with digital sound and headphones. You can play them like a regular piano or use the digital features to play quietly, allowing you to practice without making noise. Silent piano systems can be added to real acoustic pianos, maintaining sound quality while offering silent features. Brands like Yamaha and Steinway offer silent piano models, ideal for serious players who need to keep the noise down.

Used vs New Pianos: Pros and Cons of Each

Piano buying decisions aren’t just limited to which type best suits your lifestyle. You’ll also need to decide between purchasing a brand new or pre-owned used piano. There are some key factors to weigh with each option.

Used Pianos

Pros:
- Significantly less expensive upfront cost.
- Wider variety of models and sizes.
- Some unique, older-era styles.
Cons:
- Virtually impossible to confirm maintenance and tuning history.
- May have cosmetic blemishes or damage.
- Moving a used piano carries added challenges.

Description: Used pianos can be great deals, especially for music students improving their skills. However, there are some risks because you don’t know the piano’s history. When evaluating used pianos, carefully inspect the condition inside and out:

Look for cracks, chips, or scratches in the wood finish.
Examine hammers for wear and grooves from strings.
Press keys to check for sticking or sluggish return.
Pedals should move smoothly without squeaking.

Getting pianos into your home safely is very important. Many buyers forget to think about this at first. Make sure to consider the space and how the piano will fit!

New Pianos

Pros:
- Perfect cosmetic condition.
- Peace of mind with manufacturer warranties.
- Longer predicted lifespan with proper care.
- Greater selection of contemporary styles.
Cons:
- New pianos have significantly higher sticker prices.
- Advance orders may require months of waiting.

Description: Buying a new gives you confidence that the piano will meet your needs for many years. Major piano brands invest heavily in crafting durable, high-performance instruments. You can enjoy traditional sounds and new technology, such as the Enspire ST, which lets you control playback from a distance and add lighting effects that sync with your music. New pianos provide the latest technology along with classic piano craftsmanship.

A Brief History of the Piano

The first piano prototypes appeared in the early 1700s. Designers wanted to create an instrument that could play both soft and loud sounds. They changed how the instrument was played. The piano became more common in the mid-1700s. By the late 1700s, pianos started to look more like modern pianos.

Over the next few centuries, piano technology improved quickly. One important change was the cast iron frame. This change made the piano sound more powerful and created a longer tone. By the early 20th century, pianos could produce rich and detailed music. Now, pianos can perform beautifully in many styles!

Today, pianos are extremely popular across genres from classical to jazz to pop. There are many types of pianos available, fitting different spaces, budgets, and musical tastes. There’s a perfect piano for everyone!

Piano Types to Consider When Purchasing

When looking for a new or used piano, the first decision is important. You need to choose the type of piano that matches your goals and lifestyle. This will help you find the right fit!

Essential Factors to Consider When Selecting a Piano

Focus on the key factors that will help you select the right piano for you!

Your Budget

Available budget typically plays a major limiting role in piano selection. Acoustic and digital pianos have a wide range of prices. The price depends on size, brand, age, condition, and features. First, figure out how much you can spend now and in the future for maintenance. Don’t forget to budget a few hundred dollars for delivery and tuning after you buy the piano!

Piano Price Ranges

Piano Type	Price Range
Used Upright	$500 - $5,000
New Upright	$3,000 - $15,000
Used Baby Grand	$5,000 - $15,000
New Baby Grand	$10,000 - $30,000
Used Grand Piano	$10,000 - $100,000+
New Grand Piano	$50,000 - $150,000+

Keep the upper thresholds in mind as you assess your budget. Some high-end acoustic pianos cost over $200,000. However, you can still find good-quality pianos at lower prices. Digital pianos start at under $500 for basic models. Professional digital pianos with the latest technology can cost several thousand dollars.

Available Space

Measure the room dimensions where you plan to set up your new piano. Upright pianos need about six feet of clearance in front of the keyboard. Grand pianos are much wider and deeper. Even digital pianos require four to five feet of clearance for the keyboard and pedals. Accurately measuring your space prevents pianos from arriving that simply won’t fit.

Piano Size Specifications

Piano Type	Height	Width	Depth
Upright Piano	36-60 inches	55-72 inches	22-30 inches
Baby Grand Piano	30-36 inches	55-60 inches	4.5-5.5 feet
Grand Piano	36-40 inches	59-72 inches	5.5-9+ feet
Digital Piano	12-24 inches	49-54 inches	11-17 inches

When checking the size of acoustic and digital pianos, don’t just look at length and width. Consider the space needed around the piano too. For grand pianos and most uprights, you’ll need a bench that adds another 18 to 24 inches in front of the keyboard. Also, leave enough room for the piano lid to open fully without hitting walls or ceilings.

Sound Quality Preferences

Listen to sample recordings of different piano models. Pay attention to the ones you like. Grand pianos and higher-end uprights have richer bass and brighter treble notes. Entry-level uprights usually sound simpler. Digital pianos can mimic acoustic sounds but may not have the same resonance. Decide what tone and richness you like best.

Acoustic Pianos:

The soundboard material and design largely determine the tonal quality.
Spruce is the most common and versatile soundboard wood.
Maple and mahogany provide brighter, more articulate treble ranges.
Pay attention to soundboard size, crown height, grain patterns, and bracing.

Digital Pianos:

The speaker system and sampling technology shape the sound.
Listen for clear and balanced bass, midrange, and treble replication.
Many digital pianos let you customize settings like reverb, voicing, and EQ.

Purpose and Skill Level

Consider your current piano skill level as well as what you want to achieve. Are you a beginner looking to learn with piano lessons? An experienced pianist preparing for recitals or concerts? The piano type and features should align with your goals. Teacher recommendations can provide helpful guidance tailored to your progression.

Beginners: Instruments that are easy to use and affordable. Full-size acoustic upright pianos or compact digital pianos are ideal. Learn more about how long beginners should practice piano every day to maximize your learning.
Intermediate Players: Pianos facilitating nuanced musical expression, such as grand pianos or high-end uprights with responsive key actions.
Advanced Players: Silent pianos allow practicing advanced repertoire without disturbing others.

Conclusion

Choosing the right piano is essential for your musical growth and enjoyment. By considering factors such as budget, space, sound preferences, and skill level, you can select the perfect instrument that fits your lifestyle and goals.