Upright vs. Grand Pianos: Key Differences and Which to Choose

Learn the key differences between upright and grand pianos including sound quality, cost, size, and best uses. Discover the pros and cons of both types to determine which style of piano suits your space, budget, and musical needs. Read more on LinkedIn.

When shopping for a piano, the two main options are upright pianos and grand pianos. While both produce beautiful music, they have distinct differences in their physical structure, sound, pricing, and ideal uses.
In this comprehensive guide, learn about the benefits and downsides of upright and grand pianos, compare their sound quality and costs, and get tips for choosing the best piano type for your needs and budget.

Upright and Grand Pianos

Upright and grand pianos operate using the same mechanical principles of hammers striking strings but have very different physical designs. Explore the differences on Quora.
Upright pianos have a tall, vertical structure with strings and a soundboard standing upright inside. Grand pianos have a wing-shaped horizontal design and the strings run horizontally.
These structural differences have major impacts on the tone quality, expressiveness, size, weight, and cost of each piano type. Grand and uprights each have their own pros and cons.
Understanding the core differences will help you determine which piano style best fits your space, budget, and musical needs.

What is an Upright Piano?

Upright pianos, also called vertical pianos, have the strings, frame, and soundboard positioned vertically in a tall, narrow cabinet. The compact footprint fits well in small spaces.

Types of Upright Pianos

There are several different upright piano sizes:

• Full-size upright – Around 48-60 inches tall, the standard option.
• Console upright – A shorter cabinet of 40-44 inches high, compromises some sound.
• Spinet upright – The smallest at 36-40 inches high with the lowest sound quality.

Upright Piano Structure

Uprights contain:

• Vertically mounted strings attached to a metal plate, with the longest bass strings at the bottom.
• Hammer mechanism in a cramped space behind the keys.
• A soundboard running vertically amplifies the string vibrations.
• Minimal cross-stringing due to confined space.
• Shorter strings and bridges than grand pianos.

They are constructed from quality solid woods like spruce for the rim and rear panel.

Upright Piano Size and Weight

• Height: 36 to 60 inches
• Width: Around 60 inches
• Depth: 20 to 28 inches
• Weight: Between 300 to 1000 pounds

Full-size uprights provide the richest sound, while smaller spinets have lower volume and tone quality.

Benefits of Upright Pianos

Upright pianos offer some major advantages:

More Affordable Price Points

Uprights are generally far less expensive than grand pianos, with more affordable options for beginners and students. For more on the benefits, check out the benefits of music education. Decent starter uprights can be found between $2,500 to $3,500. Well-constructed full-size uprights run from $4,000 to $7,000 on average.

Compact Footprint Fits Smaller Spaces

The upright design has a narrow footprint fitting into compact rooms and tight spaces where a grand piano would overwhelm. They work well in apartments, student housing, and homes without spacious living areas.

Easier Transportation

While still heavy, uprights are far easier to move than a grand piano. They can be tilted back gently on a dolly and transported through standard doors and staircases. This allows them to be more easily moved between rooms or to new homes.

Often Better Pianos for Beginners

The smaller price tags and sizes of many uprights make them ideal starter instruments for beginners who are not yet sure of committing to serious piano study. More casual players may also prefer them over a large grand.

Limitations of Upright Pianos

However, uprights do have some disadvantages compared to grand pianos:

Smaller Tonal Range

Due to shorter strings confined in a tight vertical space, uprights produce a smaller range of tonal qualities and volumes than a grand piano. The bass notes cannot resonate as deeply.

Less Ability for Subtle Musical Expression

The cramped string layout also limits the ability to control musical expression with subtle variations in touch and pressure on the keys. Uprights are not as responsive to a pianist’s delicate control.

Not Ideal for Advanced Players

Seriously advanced pianists often find uprights limiting for their musical progression and refinement. The lesser range and touch responsiveness cannot meet their performance capabilities and needs.

What is a Grand Piano?

Grand pianos have a horizontal shape with their strings running diagonally across the case. Their superior structural design creates a rich tone. Discuss key differences on Reddit.

Types of Grand Pianos

Grand pianos come in several sizes:

• Concert grand – Around 9 feet long, creating a booming sound. Only used by professionals.
• Baby grand – Compact 5-7 foot long models for homes. Compromise some sound.
• Parlor grand – Small 4-5 feet size used in smaller rooms.

Grand Piano Structure

Grand piano components include:

• Strings in a diagonal pattern with bass strings at the left and trebles at the right.
• More ideal string and bridge length for resonance.
• Larger soundboards run horizontally under the strings.
• More cross-stringing allows greater tonal richness.
• Side positioning of the mechanical action away from keys.
• High-quality solid wood for rim, lid, and sounding board.

This structural design removes constraints on the strings allowing them to vibrate more freely.

Grand Piano Size and Weight

Grand piano dimensions vary by model but generally:

• Length: 4 feet to 9+ feet
• Width: Around 5-6 feet
• Weight: Between 600 to 1300+ pounds

The enormous concert grands can weigh up to 1500 pounds and are not easy to move!

Benefits of Grand Pianos

The grand piano structure provides some major advantages:

Larger Tonal Range

The longer strings and bridges coupled with quality materials allow grand pianos to produce a vast range of tones from thunderous bass notes to crystalline high notes. Their tone is well-rounded and resonant across the spectrum. For more on the benefits of performing, you can read the benefits of performing in recitals.

More Nuanced Musical Expression

The horizontal action mechanism gives pianists greater control over the hammers producing more nuanced variations in volume and tone based on key pressure. This allows more subtle musicality.

Prestige and Visually Stunning

A grand piano serves as an impressive focal point in a room, displaying the owner’s musical passion, style, and income level. They are regarded as elite instruments only suitable for serious musicians.

Best Option for Advanced Players

Due to their superior tonal range and touch sensitivity, grand pianos enable advanced pianists to hone their skills and truly master the instrument. Grands bring out the pianist’s full talents.

Downsides of Grand Pianos

However, there are some disadvantages to grand pianos:

Much Higher Price Tag

Even smaller 5-foot baby grands start around $8,000, while concert grands can be $150,000+. Very high-quality craftsmanship is required for their construction. Most beginners cannot justify the huge investment.

Substantial Footprint

You need considerable open floor space for even a baby grand, and around 12-15 feet for a full concert grand. This limits setup options in many homes. Measure room dimensions carefully before purchasing.

Extremely Heavy and Hard to Move Safely

Grand pianos weigh hundreds of pounds more than uprights. Specialist piano movers are needed to transport them using special dollies. Moving within a home or to a new residence is cumbersome and expensive compared to an upright.

Often Too Advanced for Beginner Players

The huge investment and large footprint make most grands impractical for casual players and students just starting lessons. The subtleties are often lost on beginners. Uprights are better starter instruments in most cases.

Comparing the Sound Quality

The structural differences between the two piano types directly impact their sound, tuning stability, and loudness.

Grands Provide Wider Tonal Range

The longer strings and bridges coupled with open horizontal design allow grand pianos to resonate fully, producing vibrant notes from booming bass tones to crystalline high notes. Their sound palette is well-rounded and nuanced across volumes and registers.
Uprights have shorter strings confined vertically, restricting resonance and limiting tonal range, especially on the lowest bass notes.

Grands Allow Greater Musical Expression

The side positioning of the mechanical hammers and action on grand pianos give pianists more delicate control over hammer movements based on key pressure. This allows advanced musicians to play with more subtle expressions and touch.
Uprights often feel more rigid and uniform in response, not permitting soft pianissimos or dramatic crescendos the pianist intends based on finger technique.

Volume and Projection Differences

The much larger soundboards on grand pianos allow their sound to carry well throughout large concert halls when needed. Uprights project their narrower sound range best in smaller rooms.
However, both can be played at soft intimate volumes in home settings. Grands simply have the capability to swell louder if desired.

Tuning Stability Favors Grands

The diagonal string arrangement on grand pianos makes them less susceptible to tuning issues from temperature or humidity changes. Uprights are more prone to going out of tune when environmental conditions fluctuate.

Comparing Prices: Uprights vs. Grands

One of the biggest factors distinguishing uprights and grands is the vast difference in their pricing:

Upright Piano Price Range

• Affordable starters – Around $2,500 to $3,500
• Good quality full-size – $4,000 to $7,000
• Elaborate furniture styles – Up to $12,000

Uprights cost a fraction compared to grands, with more price points accessible for beginner and intermediate players. Even well-constructed uprights with nice cabinetry rarely exceed $10,000.

Grand Piano Price Range

• Small baby grands – Around $8,000 on the low end
• Mid-size grands – $15,000 to $30,000
• Full concert grands – $50,000 to $150,000+

Real high-end concert grands played by professionals can approach $200,000 in price. Grands require extensive hand craftsmanship and the best materials.
For most non-professional players, a baby grand in the $10,000-$15,000 range is most practical for home use. But this is still a major investment.

Direct Comparison of Upright and Grand Pianos