Tonal Differences Between Grand and Baby Grand Pianos
Voices of the best baby grands are almost indistinguishable from those of proper grands; but this becomes less so as the size of the piano decreases.
The grand piano’s signature timbre relies on the length of its strings and soundboard. Longer strings allow frequencies to resonate from a larger surface area, resulting in a more balanced, full-bodied tone. Think of how a guitar string produces a bright, “clangy” tone when struck near the bridge, but sounds mellow and bluesy when struck in the center. This tonal spectrum widens as string length increases; and as these tonal extremes become further apart, more elements are exposed between them. Because of this enrichment, the voice of a 9' concert grand is considered tonally superior to that of a baby grand piano.
But, tonal “superiority” refers to acoustics, not personal preference. If you’re looking for a tone similar to that of a full grand, invest in a model of at least 5'7". Smaller horizontals can have excessively bright or wide voices – or a curious mix of the two among the octaves – which tend to be exaggerated during dynamics changes. Because of these characteristics, baby grands are considered “inferior” by some, but remain celebrated by others for their colorful, unrefined displays of tone.
Costs of a Grand Piano
Baby grands range from $8,000-$20,000 (5300-13 500€), and larger grands cost anywhere from $15,000-$150,000 (10 000-100 000€). Since horizontal piano depreciation is slow, new and used grand pianos tend to span the same price range.
If you opt for a baby grand because of its low price, aim for the longest model possible. Cheap, mass-produced baby grands are surpassed in quality by some electric pianos, which cost thousands less.
Grand Piano Sizes
The largest horizontal pianos take up about 63 square feet! Always take accurate measurements of doorways and stairwells (and throw in 2-4 feet of floor measurements for the bench), and be sure your piano is in an ideal temperature; the elements are especially dangerous to grand pianos because of their revealing lids.
The exact measurements of grand pianos can vary by manufacturer or location. The following sizes are averages of the most widely-accepted sizes:
Concert Grand: 9' - 10' (2,75-3,05m)
Semiconcert: 7' - 7'8" (2,15-2,35m)
Parlor: 6'3" - 6'10" (2-2,08m)
Professional Grand: 6' (1,83m)
Medium Grand: 5'6" - 5'8" (1,68-1,73m)
Baby Grand: 4'11" - 5'6" (1,5-1,68m)
Petite Grand: 4'5" - 4'10" (1,35-1,47m)
Not sure if a horizontal piano is for you? Compare Grand vs. Upright Pianos.
