Bartolomeo Cristofori probably never conceived that one of his inventions, which was largely overlooked in his own lifetime, would become the most popular instrument in the world.
The piano began life as a comparatively small instrument, akin to the clavichord. Since then, it has altered in size and style. Broadly speaking, there are two types of piano: Horizontal and vertical.
Horizontal Pianos
Horizontal pianos are so-called, because the strings are positioned horizontally. This was the style of the first pianos and is arguably the most iconic type of piano. Often known as grand pianos, the horizontal style is used in classical music concerts and by modern music stars such as Elton John.
There are six different sizes of grand piano, which are: (in order of smallest to largest) Petite grand, baby grand, medium grand, parlour grand, semi concert and concert grand.
The baby grand piano is the horizontal piano that is most frequently found in homes. It is a popular type of piano, due to its affordability and average size. For some rooms, the baby grand will still seem large as it ranges from 4ft 11” to 5ft 6” in length. It is an extremely attractive instrument and unlike some of the smaller pianos, it has superior sound quality.
A concert grand piano is the largest type of piano and is frequently played, as its name suggests, in concert. This is not the kind of piano that most people could have in their living room, as it is 9ft long.
Vertical Pianos
The vertical piano was invented sometime after Cristofori’s death. Unlike a horizontal piano, the strings on a vertical piano are placed vertically. This makes the vertical piano taller and therefore a more suitable instrument for the home.
There are four types of vertical piano, which, like the horizontal pianos, vary in size. They are: (from smallest to largest) Spinet, console, studio and upright.
Console pianos are the most popular type of vertical piano for homes. It is often chosen for its aesthetic appeal as well as its excellent sound quality. Although many people believe that the sound quality of vertical pianos is inferior to that of horizontal instruments, a console piano produces a clear, clean note.
An upright piano is the biggest type of vertical piano. It is 50”-60” tall, so, is difficult to place against most walls. However, the size of an upright offers a particularly exceptional tone for a vertical piano.
Digital Pianos
When purchasing a piano, space is an obvious consideration. However, it should also be born in mind that pianos need special care. A piano should not be close to a source of heat, or be allowed to become moist, as this can damage the instrument. Pianos also need to be tuned regularly.
The alternative is to purchase a digital piano. This type of piano is becoming ever more popular, as it does not need special treatment or tuning. Digital pianos are also cheaper than their acoustic counterparts are. Although a digital piano can never replace the iconic status, or sound quality, of an acoustic instrument, it is a wonderful alternative. However, what Cristofori would make of it, is anybody’s guess!
 |
