You may have heard about the baby grand piano or the baby grand. What are the differences in regards to grand piano vs. baby grand piano?
As one of the most popular instruments in the world, the modern piano comes in many different sizes and shapes. However, there are two basic piano styles: grand piano and upright. Grand pianos present grace and beauty in any space, from people’s living rooms and small stages to prestigious concert halls.
This article will review the differences between grand pianos and baby grand pianos, including sizes, sound qualities, and other attributes of pianos.
Table of Contents
Size
The most apparent difference between grand piano vs. baby grand piano is the size. As the name implies, baby grand pianos are a type of grand piano in smaller sizes. Grand pianos are horizontal instruments, while upright pianos are vertical instruments since their strings are lined vertically to save space.
Typically, a baby grand piano is about 4’10″ to 6′ in length and five feet in width. The tail is usually about three feet broad.
In comparison, a grand piano has a length of over six feet to nine feet. We also refer to the nine-foot grand piano as a concert grand.
Besides producing beautiful sounds and offering numerous entertainments, grand pianos manifest elegance and sophistication. Baby grand pianos are a reasonable size that can fit many homes, music lounges, and church or school stages.
Sound
The size difference in grand pianos vs. baby grand pianos does affect the sound. A baby grand piano has a shorter tail chamber with shorter strings and a smaller soundboard. The sound resonance is not as warm and more profound as a full-size grand piano. The larger soundboard produces richer and more expressive sounds. That is also why the concert grand pianos are nine feet long.
On the other hand, many well-known piano manufacturers like C. Bechstein, Bösendorfer, Fazioli, Steingraeber & Söhne, and Steinway & Sons make high-quality baby grand pianos with outstanding voices. The sound quality is a function of the design, materials, and making. A well-made baby grand piano can sound as good as a full-size one, and you may be unable to tell the difference.
Affordability
Generally, baby grand pianos are more affordable than full-size grand pianos, not even mention the 9-foot concert grand pianos that range from a hundred thousand to a quarter million dollars.
In contrast, the mass-produced baby grand pianos cost about $5,000 to $20,000. These pianos come from the assembly line; some manufacturers can produce 50,000 to 100,000 pianos annually. Hence the budget-friendly price.
However, when we talk about individually made baby grand pianos, they are still quite expensive—for example, the C. Bechstein L167 baby grand costs around $126,000.
Therefore, the price of any grand piano largely depends on the quality, model, and maker. The bottom line is that you can find more affordable baby grand pianos.
Action
The piano hammer action is critical to any pianist. While every piano player may have their preferences, grand pianos generally have lighter and more responsive actions that allow pianists to play the same notes in quick succession easily. Most grand pianos or baby grand pianos are designed for performance, not necessarily for heavy practice.
The actions of grand pianos vs. baby grand pianos do not differ much, especially from the same piano maker. However, grand pianos from different makers may have some differences in the hammer action mechanism based on their unique design in the key and hammer actions.
Conclusion
The piano was invented over three hundred years ago and underwent many evolutions. While digital pianos are getting increasingly popular, acoustic pianos still dominate homes, schools, worship houses, and concert halls.
Baby grand pianos are the practical choice for many pianists to use at home and to perform at small venues.
If you are in the market for a grand piano, knowing the differences between grand piano vs. baby grand piano will help you choose the best one for your needs.
While considering the generic differences between grand pianos and baby grand pianos, such as size and price, examining the design, material quality, and build is crucial.
The grand piano is a beautiful instrument to play. Enjoy!!!
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