The piano is a keyboard instrument that produces sound by striking the strings with hammers, has a wide range and the ability to play chords freely. It is a popular musical instrument.
Each instrument has its own unique strengths and characteristics.
For example, weighted piano keys are good for developing finger strength, which improves your playing technique; and when you play a note or piano notes, enharmonics (when adjacent piano strings vibrate in harmony with the notes you just played) adds richness to a sound unique to the piano.
But the piano needs to be tuned regularly, which can be costly. On the contrary, the keyboard never needs to be tuned.
And on the keyboard, you can change sounds and instruments, which adds variety to your practice (many keyboards have hundreds of sounds to choose from). You can also play along with backing tracks on the keyboard.
The keyboard is also good for providing very accurate playing. For example, clipping an occasional incorrect note while playing the piano is less noticeable than if you make the same keyboard error.
Also, playing with backing tracks is very good for developing your ability to play on time. And of course, MIDI keyboards can be connected to a computer or iPad, which opens up many possibilities for creating music.
Consider the following things when choosing the right piano:
Upright vs. Grand
The choice between an upright piano and grand piano should be based on the space you have at home. Furniture, appliances, and the type of room or area to consider as the two pianos are of different sizes and dimensions to suit such spaces.
An upright Pianos come in many sizes and are usually made of wood. The pitch is typically 37 inches to 53 inches – typically, the taller piano, the richer the sound. Upright pianos take up less floor space because they have a vertical compartment that resembles a string cabinet. The sides and back of the upright piano are flat and straight, making it easy to place against a wall or in the corner of a room. Usually, each string is hung vertically and the hammer strikes horizontally. This type of action produces a good sound with every hit, but is slower for repetitive notes because the hammer strikes against gravity.
Grand pianos come in a variety of sizes, from baby grands to concert pianos used in an orchestra or theater troupe. Its style creates a very elegant look. As with the action, the position of the strings is very different from that of the upright piano. They are horizontal and the hammer strikes it vertically, which is a natural flow from the side of gravity. This type of action produces a more consistent and controlled sound, which is why it is preferred by more experienced players as well as amateur players because of the type of sound they would like to make when playing.
Action
As mentioned earlier, when it comes to playing the piano well, action is very important. The action is how difficult it is to press the key and how quickly it returns to its original position, which significantly affects the comfort during playing piano. Music that requires repetitive notes is more comfortable to play on the grand piano because the pressure on the keys is less due to gravity. The piano has a harder and distinct tones.
Portability
Based on their size, upright pianos are more comfortable to move than grand pianos. Sizes vary considerably and the piano is more portable, although you won’t want to move any of them regularly because they are heavy and therefore not adjustable.
Sound
In terms of sound, upright pianos produce a tighter and more satisfying sound, while grand pianos are lighter, softer and swift sounds. These sounds are generated by the action as well as the pressing of a key, since both have different mechanisms.
When choosing the right piano, you need to have some basic knowledge to determine which one really suits your preferences. Have fun and enjoy your music. Take your time with an ill-conceived decision and in the end you will find the right piano for you.
Different Types of Pianos Names With Pictures
A piano is a musical instrument with strings that are struck by hammers. Here is the latest list of all types of pianos names with pictures and images that you should know about.
1. Vertical Piano
Vertical pianos are similar in width and depth and differ mainly in height. When planning the shape, your room is just under 5 feet wide and about 2 feet depth.
2. Spinet Piano
Spinet pianos is the smallest style of upright pianos. They are ideal for those who want to have access to a piano at home, but just don’t have enough free space. These pianos are usually bought by people who live in apartments or other places where space can be an issue. The smaller size of a spinet piano in no way makes it less impressive than another piano.
While there are those who think that these pianos are more toys, you should know that they are real musical instruments. They are sophisticated and beautiful pianos capable of reproducing complex music. Whether you are buying this piano to play for yourself, or looking for a piano for your child, it will definitely be useful to you. It’s cheaper than many other pianos, so it can be bought for any budget.
The keyboard of this spinet piano is about half the size of an adult piano. You can find a piano that is more suitable for adult hands, but if you want to teach a child, this size will be ideal. You can easily use this as a guide and it will be fun for your child. Giving your child a musical gift is the best thing you can do for them.
3. Console Piano
Console pianos are among the most common types of pianos that people buy. They seem to be the right size for people to enjoy enough of, and not big enough to bother them. The console piano that is being reviewed here is a digital model. You will be able to find many different acoustic types of console pianos if you are more inclined to go this route.
This piano is capable of playing beautiful music and is a great learning tool. Console pianos are usually bought by people who want to learn how to play the piano. They’re not that intimidating, and it’s easy for beginners to get used to the size of this piano. It is also a very high quality instrument, which means that it will be useful when you become a pianist.
Generally speaking, you would be able to buy a digital console piano for a reasonable price. Digital models will be significantly cheaper than acoustic ones. Acoustic instruments will always cost more, but you can choose what suits your purpose. These digital pianos are very good at what they do.
4. Studio Piano
Studio pianos are quite large, averaging 43 to 47 inches. For this reason, they are more common in studios than in people’s homes. Some people will buy studio pianos for home use because they are used to the size and feel of these instruments. This model will appeal to professional musicians who like the upright piano style.
The most common use of these pianos is for musical composition. When people try to come up with melodies or play with different musical ideas, they often use a studio piano. They are perfect for helping musically talented people work on their creative process. Having one in your home will be very helpful if you want to be able to create your own music at home.
5. Upright Piano
The upright piano is one of the most common types of upright pianos on the market. They can often be seen in churches in the United States. A upright piano fits more easily into someone’s home or building than its larger sister, the grand piano. They are not necessarily small; they just aren’t as big and wide as pianos.
You can conveniently position the piano right against the wall. This allows you to place the piano in the corner of the room and keep it away. These pianos are less desirable for live performances as it will be difficult for the pianist to see the crowd or be noticed by the crowd. In this case, the pianist will be looking at the wall or at the piano itself. These pianos are mainly used at home, in schools, or to play music for church services.
6. Digital Piano
Digital pianos come in a variety of styles. From slim vertical designs to large pianos, digital for most price points and features.
High-quality digital pianos offer tremendous value with their progressive, zero-adjustment hammer mechanism and great concert sound without tuning.
Digital pianos also offer other learning features for education, a variety of voices, customizable piano sounds, and the ability to adjust volume or even wear headphones.
7. Grand Piano
The pianos are distinguished the way they are constructed. The strings and soundboard lay horizontally and the hammer striking the string is lifted up and then falls back to rest. Grand pianos generally offer more sonic projection and faster key repetition.
Many marketing names have been given to the size of grand pianos over the years. Gallery Grands, Parlor Grands, Studio Grands, and Baby Grands, just to name a few. There are no official rules for these names, although a grand piano less than 5 feet in length is generally considered a Baby Grand. Grand pianos range from 4 feet 7 inches to 9 feet for Concert Grands.
8. Children’s Toy Piano
If you have children, it may be helpful to buy them one of these toy pianos that are on the market. If you have started playing the piano, your child may want to learn how to play so they can be like you. Your child admires you very much and wants to be able to feel like they are following in your footsteps. It can be a heartwarming sight, and letting your child play the piano with toys will really help him or her get ready for piano lessons one day.
While most of these piano toys do not allow for a lot of legitimate playing, they can be lot of fun for a child. This particular model showcases several different songs, so your child will be able to feel like he or she is playing a song even when your child does not know what he or she is doing. The toy piano is also available with a small piano seat, so your child can sit down and play like a real pianist. This is a very funny toy that will help you give free rein to children’s imagination.
Many people who buy such toys for their children find that the child eventually falls in love with the piano and eventually wants to learn how to play the real piano. If your child is passionate about music, but is not yet the age to go to class, they will have fun. It is not very large, so it won’t take up much space in any room of your house. It will be an expensive toy that will bring a lot of fun in the coming years.
9. Baby Grand Piano
Baby grand pianos are the smallest of the grand piano classifications. These are the grand pianos commonly found in people homes. Most people find it difficult to fit a grand piano in their home, as it can take up a lot of space. Baby grand pianos are still quite large, but they can be accommodated in a dedicated music room or even in your den. You will be able to place it without inconvenience.
Interestingly, these pianos have become quite popular with people who don’t even know how to play the piano. Some people end up buying gorgeous baby grand pianos and using them as decorations. They certainly exude an aura of sophistication and elegance, so it makes sense for people to enjoy the fact that they are at home. They come with a hefty price tag, so this piano is not for every enthusiast.
10. Medium Grand Piano
The medium grand pianos are one step ahead of the baby grand piano. They are slightly larger, which makes them a bit more expensive overall. You can expect an average acoustic medium grand piano to be 5’6 to 6’6 in length. This can make them a little cumbersome to fit in your home, but if you have a large living area this might not be an issue.
It is an instrument that professional musicians often buy to practice piano at home. It’s big enough to look really impressive, but its size doesn’t stop it from fitting in a dedicated music room. You will have the opportunity to create fantastic music on one of these pianos if you have the talent. The overall look of a middle grand piano is also very impressive, so there are many reasons why you would like to have one.
Mid-sized grand pianos are not always easy to find in record stores. Even when it comes to digital grand pianos, there aren’t that many sizes. For this reason, you will find that baby grand pianos are much more common. If the average size fits your purpose, you can try to find it.
11. Parlor Grand Piano
These parlor grand pianos are typically 7 feet to 7’6 in length. As a result, they can be very difficult to place anywhere in your home. They are more common among very serious musicians and are sometimes used as touring music performances. The name parlor grand comes from these pianos, which were previously used in parlors.
These are currently not very common types of pianos. Their size makes it difficult to find a place for them, but they are undoubtedly great. If you want a large grand piano that you can use in your music room, then this might be the perfect option. It will definitely be impressive and you will love how fantastic the music will sound.
12. Concert Grand Piano
A concert grand piano is the largest grand piano you will find. These huge pianos can range in size from 9 feet or more. Some incredibly impressive grand pianos are 10 feet or more. The most common grand piano will stay exactly around 9 feet.
Most often people use these grand pianos for musical performances. As mentioned in the piano section, popular musicians often take grand pianos with them on tour. Concert grand pianos are ideal for this purpose, as they are impressive in appearance and can produce great, beautiful sounds. It’s always nice to see a musician on tour with an impressive grand piano.
13. Electric Piano
Electric pianos, suitable for beginners or moving performers, are usually the most readily available, and while they lack acoustic qualities, the sound continues to improve for high to mid-range instruments. They vary significantly in quality; some have hollow keys, while others try to reproduce the feel and weight of an acoustic keyboard. In addition to the characteristics of an acoustic piano, electric pianos have a variety of sounds and settings such as organ, guitar, strings, choir, and percussion. The numerous sounds on some keyboards make it a practical portable band. Other pianos have limited options, but these are better for those trying to reproduce acoustics and save money.
Real electric pianos (compared to regular keyboards) have a professional look and good materials (most of them are made of plastic), as well as touch functions and sometimes equipped frames. Most of them have pedal connectors and computer interactive capabilities. They never need to be tuned and are quickly becoming more popular with modern bands. The electric piano also has the advantage of sometimes allowing the user to practice silently with headphones, although it might otherwise disturb people. A few disadvantages are technological childhood and energy supply.
14. Player Piano
A player’s piano is a self-playing piano containing an electromechanical mechanism that controls the operation of the piano using perforated music programming paper or, in rare cases, metal rollers. The rise in popularity of pianos for musicians increased with the advent of mass production of home pianos in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Here are some tips on how to choose the right piano for you or someone in your family who wants to learn. Assuming you want an acoustic piano, not an electric piano, you will be referring to a piano or grand piano.
Choosing a piano should be fun and enjoyable as you play with each of the different types to get a feel for what you like. Most musicians have a really hard time finding the right instrument, but when they do, they often have a relationship that can last a lifetime playing great music together.