Pianos are expensive and compared to upright pianos, grand pianos are significantly more so. So, if you have plans to buy one for the first time, should you buy an upright piano? Should you keep the major investment necessary for buying a grand piano reserved for a later time? Well, that’s a bad idea in most situations, and we are about to explain why. Before we do though, let’s first go through a few key differences that separate grand pianos from upright pianos in the first place.
What is the Difference Between the Two?
Grand pianos are practically synonymous to the instrument itself, meaning that whenever someone mentions a piano, they usually imagine the grand piano in its massive form, whether they realise that fact or not. These are the traditional instruments which are used in any professional musical setting that requires a piano to be present and played.
Upright pianos, on the other hand, are more modern inventions, designed to be much more compact, so that they can be fitted into tighter spaces inside small apartments. The change in design is achieved by stringing the instrument vertically, instead of the horizontal arrangement of strings which can be observed in a traditional, grand piano.
Grand Pianos are a Better Choice by Default
Whether you wish to learn how to play the piano, teach it to your child or hone your already decent craft to perfection, a grand piano would be the default choice in every situation. The only time you should even consider a compact piano, aka, an upright piano is when you just do not have enough space to accommodate it inside your home.
In case you are considering a vertical/upright piano simply because they cost less, we suggest looking for used grand pianos on Coach House. They have new and used grand pianos from many superior piano brands. Even though they are still more expensive than upright pianos, the many advantages of the grand piano are far too many in number to even be compared with its vertical counterpart at this price. For musical maestros looking to buy the absolute best, Coach House Pianos have a very impressive collection of new and old Bösendorfer, Stein & Sons and Yamaha grand pianos to check out.
What Makes Grand Pianos a Better Choice Over Upright Pianos?
Anyone familiar with pianos probably already knows the answer, but just in case you are wondering, here’s everything you need to know about the superiority of a grand piano:
• Grand pianos sound significantly richer, smoother, more uniform, more balanced and more substantial.
• The variance and wider dynamics in sonority in between pianissimo – fortissimo is clearly noticeable.
• As you get better with adding expressions, a grand piano will allow you to do so with your notes at levels that no upright piano can possibly replicate.
Aside from these simple facts, the vertical alignment of an upright piano makes it unsuitable for expert pianists, given that the hammers are limited to 7 reps/second at best. On the other hand, grand pianos accommodate 14 reps/second, making them the clear winners. You are likely going to buy only one piano in your life, so find the best deals on new Steinway pianos here, if you are only just starting to take piano lessons.
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