The Two Types of Acoustic Pianos

Christopher Roberts worked alongside some of the greatest musicians in the classical music and jazz genres through his previous position as president of the classics and jazz division for the Universal Music Group. A classical pianist with a discography spanning two decades, Christopher Roberts also composes and produces his own music.

Pianists historically composed classical piano pieces on acoustic pianos, which fall into two general categories: the vertical, or upright, piano; and the horizontal, or grand, piano.

Taller than grand pianos, vertical pianos sit upright with the strings positioned vertically and the hampers and dampers horizontal to the soundboard. With heights that can range between 36 and 60 inches, their general affordability and compact size make them more common than grand pianos. Due to the positioning of the strings, some musicians believe vertical pianos produce a warmer sound. The vertical piano typically comes in four different types that affect sound quality and size: upright, studio, console, and spinet.

Grand, or horizontal, pianos often feature a wider range of sounds, tonality, and resonance due to the construction of the strings and soundboard. The soundboard lies horizontally, with dampers atop the strings and the hammer positioned adjacent to it. This arrangement uses gravity to reset the hammers striking the strings, allowing for a more even calibration and an ability to play repeated notes more rapidly than on a vertical piano.