Keep reading this blog, Dream Cheeky will compare in-depth about baby grand vs grand piano.
Where Does The Name Come From?
Everyone has heard the expression “baby grand“, but what does it really mean? In simple terms, the baby-grand piano is a smaller grand piano than its parent. Legend has it that Steinway & Sons Model O was referred to as baby grand vs. its model, A which was referred to as parlor grand.
Although it is unlikely that grand piano and baby piano will ever be seen side-by-side (outside of a piano shop), it would be a similar experience to seeing a lioness with her cub. It’s the same thing, but smaller. To highlight the differences between these instruments, we decided to compare baby grand piano and grand piano.
It is actually a 20th-century figure of speech that became a popular way to refer to a smaller grand pianist. It is used all over the English-speaking world to refer to grand pianos that don’t have the 9’2″ giants. Most people believe that the only difference between a grand and a baby grand piano is its size. This is only the tip. From a professional perspective, this article will explain all the subtle differences.
What Is The Difference Between Baby Grand Pianos And Grand Pianos?
There are two types of pianos, horizontal and vertical. The strings of upright pianos are vertically oriented. An upright piano’s hammers move horizontally and are supported by springs that allow them to return to their original position. A vertical piano’s frame is smaller and more compact than that of a grand piano. This makes them popular for small spaces and home use. These pianos can also be found in community centers, schools, and churches.
Horizontal pianos are also known as grand pianos. They are horizontally oriented with the strings reaching out from the keyboard. There are two types of horizontal pianos: the “grand” and the “baby grand”. A grand piano’s hammer hits the string from beneath and then returns to its original position with gravity when a player hits the note. The action of a grand pianist is not dependent on springs and therefore less susceptible to degrading than an upright piano. A grand piano’s horizontal action provides crisper sounds for repeated notes.
Grand pianos can be more expensive than upright pianos but they offer better responsiveness and tonal quality. Grand pianos give the pianist greater control over the sound they make, making them a popular choice for amateur and professional musicians. When the top is raised, grand pianos can produce more volume than upright pianos. Grand pianos are great for large spaces such as theaters and concert halls. Grand pianos can be used in homes to produce a rich, full sound that is unmatched by upright counterparts.
Size Differences – Baby Grand Vs Grand Piano
The size range for baby grand pianos is from 5 to 8 feet (153 to 175 cm). Some variations can be as much as 5 centimeters, depending on which brand of piano you have. Professional grand pianos are the next size. However, their width is the same. Most new pianos have 88 key keyboards. Some, such as the Bosendorfer Imperial concert piano, have more keys, while others, such as the Bosendorfer Imperial concert piano, have fewer keys.
The tail length determines which category of a grand piano or baby grand piano the piano falls into. This ratio of width+length affects the overall instrument’s proportions and, therefore, its appearance as well as its sound. The following size guide is helpful for all grand pianos.
Petite Grand (or Mignon)
The smallest grand piano ever made is 4’5 to 4’11 (138-150 cm). Because it is nearly as long as it is wide, the proportions of a grand piano this size aren’t what we imagine. A new piano’s average width (88 keys) measures approximately 4’9 feet (150 cm), so a small grand can almost be described as a square. Older grand pianos in the first half of the 20th century had 85 keys. This makes them smaller but it has been discontinued decades ago due to the lower resonance of the vibrating chamber.
Baby Grand
5 to 5’8 feet (153-175 cm). The most popular piano-size worldwide. Baby grand pianos are versatile and can be used by professionals as well as recreational music fans. They also require less space and have a lower price than their larger siblings.
Most people get their first baby grand piano after having children, or when they decide to purchase the piano for themselves. A baby grand piano may already be in the home. If so, a piano lover might decide to purchase a larger model if there is enough space.
Professional Or Full Grand
5′ 9 to 6’ 2 (177 – 188 centimeters). This size of the grand piano is often referred to as a baby grand, as it has the compact appearance of a grand piano that isn’t a concert grand. It is difficult to determine the precise measurements due to the prevalence of baby grand pianos. People tend to guess the size and type of the pianos. It all depends on where it will go. The true baby grand and professional grand will be smaller in a larger space.
Music Room Grand
6’3 to 6’10 (190 to 220 centimeters). This is another size that is very popular for grand pianos at home. This can look like a large grand piano that is large enough to entertain guests at home or for concerts. This is a perfect size unless you live in a large mansion with a concert grand. It still fits into most modern homes and doesn’t overwhelm the space.
The sound quality of a Music room grand may have characteristics similar to a concert grand depending on its manufacturer, especially when it is in a friendly acoustic setting.
Semi-concert Grand
6’11-7’8 (212 to 233 centimeters). Semi-concert grand, which is often used for public performances, is basically a professional piano that can be used in concert halls and recording studios.
Full grand pianos have roaring tops, bell-like, and rounded registers. They produce enough vibrations to allow the sound to bounce around larger spaces and mix midair, creating the magic sound of live piano performances in a concert hall. The physical characteristics of full grand pianos are quite different from those of baby grands, so it would be unfair to compare their sound experience.
Concert Grand
These grand pianos range in size from 8’11 to 9+ (272 to 275+ centimeters). The 9+ foot pianos are more powerful, sonorous, and resonant than semi concert grands pianos. They have the proper resonance to carry the sound into a multi-thousand-seater auditorium without losing their clean sound.
Concert grand pianos are commonly used in orchestras, by professional pianists, and in larger music venues. Although these pianos are not intended for private use, you’d be amazed at how many amateur and professional pianists are proud owners of concert grand pianos.
Sound Differences – Grand Piano Vs Baby Grand Piano
It is more than its appearance that distinguishes the baby grand piano from its bigger parent. It also has a different sound. It is quite simple. The sound is affected by the length of the strings and the distance they vibrate in. The sound is more resonant and warmer if the string is longer than the soundboard beneath it.
When those sounds mix they produce overtones that make rich sound and imbue it with specific qualities The soundboard picks up resonance from all other strings within the piano’s body when the strings vibrate. They produce sound overtones when they mix. Each piano maker holds patents on unique construction designs that give their piano its voice.
It is not surprising that longer strings produce a richer sound and shorter strings have a less vibrant tonal quality. Best baby grand pianos are not as noticeable as those made from cheaper, mass-produced baby pianos. However, you can clearly hear the smaller tonal quality and lower sound of a shorter baby grand.
However, sound quality can also be influenced by how your grand piano is maintained. A skilled piano technician will be able to voice your piano regularly. Both upright and grand pianos have felt coverings hammers. The groove is created when the hammer hits the string. This is why voicing is important to restore the piano’s full tone.
The sound quality of your piano’s sound becomes less clear and harsher as the grooves become more difficult from repeated strikes. Your grand piano’s sound quality will depend on how skilled your technician is.
It is worth noting that the soft pedal can be used to regulate the piano’s volume just like it does on a concert grand piano. The hammer strikes only one string, creating a unique sound effect that produces a softer, more veiled sound. This is an important attribute of a concert grand piano to allow the sound to project in large concert halls and transform its color and tone quality with the help of a soft pedal. The soft pedal can cause smaller grand pianos to sound harsher and reduce their sound.
Action Differences – Grand Piano Vs Baby Grand Piano
The case with piano action is similar to the string length. The larger grand pianos with keys and hammers strike the string more often. Professional pianists have greater control over sound quality, dynamic range, and color due to the longer mechanism’s kinetic energy.
Concert grands are also known as concert grand and are used on concert venues. The larger grand pianos with keys, hammers, and strings look more professional for special occasions. They also sound better, which allows professional musicians to show off their skills.
The high-quality grand piano, whether professional, concert, and baby grand pianos, such as Steinway, Bluthner, Fazioli, or Fazioli, are so well-built that even a baby grand piano’s size can make an excellent sound. The same cannot be said for budgets. The overall sound quality of mass-produced pianos is inferior, even though the action may not be entirely hand-made.
A baby grand that is less expensive does not have the ability to control the action well enough to play certain types of music. Trills, soft clear passages, double notes, repeated notes, and soft notes are all common on lesser brands. High-quality uprights sound and feel much better than the cheaper baby grand.
Price Differences
Here we are considering the price ratios of a new instrument. There are many grand pianos on the secondary market. It is crowded with them all. To ensure that it feels and sounds right, a professional appraisal is required. Particular importance is given to the production year in secondary market pianos.
It seems reasonable to assume that a baby grand will be less expensive than a larger piano. Because it is smaller, the materials used in its construction are less expensive. We must not forget the thousands and hundreds of hours that are required to build pianos of any size. A baby grand takes about the same time as a grand, regardless of whether it is Fazioli, Bluthner, or Steinway.
The price difference between legacy piano manufacturers is not significant, but smaller pianos will always be more expensive. As we descend the ladder to semi-machine-assembled mass-produced instruments, the price gap is significant in comparison to premium grand pianos. Price is also affected by technology and features.
Are there two or three pedals? Every piano has a Corda or soft pedal. If you’re sitting at the piano, it will be on the left. The damper pedal or sustain pedal is always on the right. Some pianos have the sostenuto or middle pedal. This has a specific function that may not be necessary for your needs. It does make piano manufacturing more difficult, and this will undoubtedly impact the price.
Learn all about the functions of the sostenuto pedal here. The sostenuto pedal is not often available on smaller pianos, such as the baby grand or petit grand. However, this depends on the manufacturer and whether the piano belongs to a premium class.
The small grand pianos of certain brands may not be in the same price range as the upright piano of premium brands. You need to determine which perfect piano that you need.
