Michael Joel
2012-02-07 04:33:34 UTC
I thought I might jump in here and provide a quick information post.
- Piano Sizes -
First, it should be noted that in a piano size matters.
Whether a grand or vertical - the large the instrument, the longer
it's strings, soundboard, etc.. This allows better tone and volume.
A point that is not noticed with most is the fact that usually an
upright takes up no (or little) more floor space than a spinet, yet a
large upright can surpass the tone and volume of a small grand.
Note that as the size of a piano gets smaller and smaller, the
designers are forced to work out methods of creating a workable scale.
This is why you usually find spinets with noticeable breaks in the
scale, especially around the treble to bass break.
So next time you see a huge, old upright - consider the fact
that it generally will have the tone of a small grand and you may
decide it is worth fixing up instead of replacing it with a spinet.
Vertical Pianos:
Many people confuse the terms "upright" and "vertical". All
pianos that are, well, vertical - are Vertical pianos. Basically a
non-grand piano (though there are other styles that we don't need to
discuss here).
A vertical piano is measure from the floor to the top of the piano's
lid.
Vertical piano sizes are:
Upright .............. 48" to 60"
Studio .............. 43" to 47"
Console ............. 40" to 43"
Spinet .............. 36" to 39"
Be aware that some manufactures use the words upright grand, etc., to
help sell pianos - in truth though they are still vertical pianos and
not a "new" form of grand piano.
Vertical actions generally come in three basic styles. Uprights will
have "stickers" from the keys to the whippen. Studio's stickers will
be shorter. Consoles have no stickers, and a spinet's action actually
sits below the key level with "stickers" that travel down from the key
(in other words - a spinet's keys lift the whippen instead of pushing
it). So even when the manufacturer or sales person is playing loose
with terms, the action can generally set you straight.
Grand Pianos:
Grands are measured from the very front edge of the instrument
to the very back. This includes any ledges on the front and the lid's
overhang on the back.
Grand piano sizes are:
Concert Grand .............. 7' 6" to 9' 6"
Medium Grand .............. 5' 6" to 7' 6"
Small ("Baby) Grand ..... 4' 6" to 5' 6"
Mike
- - - -- -- -- -
Parks & Sons Piano Service
<a href=http://www.parksandsonspiano.com> parksandsonspiano.com</a>
Parks & Sons Piano
<a href="http://www.parksandsonspiano.com">parksandsonspiano.com</a>
- Piano Sizes -
First, it should be noted that in a piano size matters.
Whether a grand or vertical - the large the instrument, the longer
it's strings, soundboard, etc.. This allows better tone and volume.
A point that is not noticed with most is the fact that usually an
upright takes up no (or little) more floor space than a spinet, yet a
large upright can surpass the tone and volume of a small grand.
Note that as the size of a piano gets smaller and smaller, the
designers are forced to work out methods of creating a workable scale.
This is why you usually find spinets with noticeable breaks in the
scale, especially around the treble to bass break.
So next time you see a huge, old upright - consider the fact
that it generally will have the tone of a small grand and you may
decide it is worth fixing up instead of replacing it with a spinet.
Vertical Pianos:
Many people confuse the terms "upright" and "vertical". All
pianos that are, well, vertical - are Vertical pianos. Basically a
non-grand piano (though there are other styles that we don't need to
discuss here).
A vertical piano is measure from the floor to the top of the piano's
lid.
Vertical piano sizes are:
Upright .............. 48" to 60"
Studio .............. 43" to 47"
Console ............. 40" to 43"
Spinet .............. 36" to 39"
Be aware that some manufactures use the words upright grand, etc., to
help sell pianos - in truth though they are still vertical pianos and
not a "new" form of grand piano.
Vertical actions generally come in three basic styles. Uprights will
have "stickers" from the keys to the whippen. Studio's stickers will
be shorter. Consoles have no stickers, and a spinet's action actually
sits below the key level with "stickers" that travel down from the key
(in other words - a spinet's keys lift the whippen instead of pushing
it). So even when the manufacturer or sales person is playing loose
with terms, the action can generally set you straight.
Grand Pianos:
Grands are measured from the very front edge of the instrument
to the very back. This includes any ledges on the front and the lid's
overhang on the back.
Grand piano sizes are:
Concert Grand .............. 7' 6" to 9' 6"
Medium Grand .............. 5' 6" to 7' 6"
Small ("Baby) Grand ..... 4' 6" to 5' 6"
Mike
- - - -- -- -- -
Parks & Sons Piano Service
<a href=http://www.parksandsonspiano.com> parksandsonspiano.com</a>
Parks & Sons Piano
<a href="http://www.parksandsonspiano.com">parksandsonspiano.com</a>