4 Upright Piano Types & Sizes (Largest To Smallest)

Exploring the diverse universe of pianos reveals an instrument for every musician, regardless of their stage or style. Large, imposing models grace concert stages, while smaller, more manageable versions are perfect for the hobbyist honing their skills at home.

Pianos fall into two main categories: vertical and horizontal. Horizontal pianos, known as grand pianos, are characterized by their length and how strings are positioned. In contrast, vertical pianos stand out for their height and the vertical alignment of strings.

At a Glance: Understanding Pianos

• Types and Sizes: Pianos vary greatly in style, size, and design, ranging from large concert hall grand pianos to smaller, compact vertical pianos suited for home use.
• Vertical vs. Horizontal: Pianos are classified as either vertical (upright) or horizontal (grand), with the key difference being the placement and orientation of the strings.
• Upright Pianos: Among vertical pianos, upright pianos are the tallest, offering the best sound quality due to their large soundboards, making them a common choice for professional and educational settings.
• Other Vertical Pianos: Besides upright pianos, other types include studio, console, and spinet pianos, each offering different features, sound quality, and size benefits for various user needs.
• Quality and Manufacturing: An older or newer small upright should be judged by its design, condition, and maintenance, rather than its age or country of manufacture alone.

Largest To Smallest Upright Pianos

Vertical pianos are measured by height. Traditional labels include upright, studio, console, and spinet, but makers do not apply these names uniformly. Measure the actual instrument, including its depth, before planning a room or doorway.

1) Upright Piano

The upright piano, also known as the professional piano, is the most popular type of vertical piano. Often, vertical pianos are simply called upright pianos.

Often found in music schools, professors and students alike use them for teaching and practice. They’re also common on stages for professional performances.

The taller professional upright often exceeds 48 inches in height, while its keyboard width is close to five feet like most 88-key pianos. A larger soundboard and longer strings can help produce a fuller tone, but condition, design, regulation, and the room also affect the result.

Some upright pianos, despite being more affordable, can match the performance of smaller grand pianos. With proper care, these instruments endure for decades.

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2) Studio Piano

If you are beginning lessons or shopping for a school, a studio piano can offer a useful balance of size and sound. Studio models are commonly around 44 to 48 inches tall, though individual instruments vary. Listen and play before deciding whether one sounds fuller or brighter than another.

Unlike other vertical pianos, this model boasts a bigger soundboard and longer strings. Its studio piano’s full-sized action directly contacts the keys for improved playability.

Just started thinking about piano lessons? Consider checking out a used studio piano, since these are often more budget-friendly than other types.

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3) Console Piano

The console piano offers a middle ground in cabinet size. Its action generally sits above the keys rather than below them as in a traditional spinet. This arrangement can make servicing simpler, but the sound and touch still depend on the particular piano and its condition.

The console piano is a favorite for home musicians and hobbyists alike due to its perfect size, straightforward design, and remarkable sound quality. It keeps the essential volume and dynamic range, making it superb for daily use.

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4) Spinet Piano (Smallest Upright Piano)

The spinet piano, standing less than 40 inches tall, is not just the smallest among vertical pianos; its unique action also sets it apart.

The spinet piano uses an indirect blow action, also known as drop action mechanism, with vertical wires connecting the keys to the action below. This unique setup allows it to function despite its compact size, as the keys don’t directly engage with the action but through these wires.

Despite their compact size, spinet pianos have a distinct sound quality, which is generally considered inferior to that of larger pianos like the console piano. This difference is due to the console piano’s keyboard directly activating the hammer, resulting in better sound.

The spinet piano can fit a tight room, but its compact action and shorter strings bring compromises. Spinets were popular decades ago and are rarely made today. A used example may be affordable, yet it deserves an inspection before purchase.

Small pianos were a specialty of numerous UK shops between 1920 and 1985, with some still available today. British firms also produced small upright pianos from around 1960 to 1985.

Some small British uprights from the second half of the twentieth century remain appealing instruments. Their quality varies by maker, model, maintenance, and individual condition, so an age or country-of-origin label alone cannot establish better sound than a current piano.

In the past, skilled piano manufacturers like Knight, Welmar, Kemble, Rogers, Broadwood, and Chappell created high-quality small upright pianos to meet increasing demand, leading to some of the era’s finest models.

When comparing an older UK-built piano with a newer compact upright, judge the actual instruments. Action wear, tuning stability, strings, soundboard condition, and the intended room matter more than a blanket ranking by country or manufacturing era.

Compact designs can limit string length and soundboard area, but the cited models are different instruments and should not be dismissed as a group without a playing test. Compare each piano at the same dynamic levels, and ask a technician to examine any used example.

A second-hand modern upright can be a sound purchase when its action, structure, tuning stability, and maintenance history check out. Have an independent piano technician inspect it before committing, whether the instrument is modern or decades old.