Baby Grand vs. Grand Piano: Which One’s Better and Should You Choose!

Today you are going to read complete our Learn Baby Grand vs. Grand Piano: Which One’s Better and Should You Choose! When you decide which piano to buy, the first thing that comes to mind is the size of the piano. However, there is a slight chance that a concert piano could fit in the living room, so that’s where it leaves us to choose between a baby grand and a grand piano. There are many similarities between the two instruments. More specifically, the baby grand is basically the grand piano sub-type, just differs in length. Here is an article on Baby Grand VS. Grand Piano.

BABY GRAND VS. GRAND PIANO – THE DIFFERENCE IN PIANO-SIZE

The type of grand piano you may want to buy depends on the space you have for the new instrument. The grand pianos are, however, much more sizable than the baby grand pianos. There are different types of grand piano, depending on the size.

Those of which are Concert Piano, which is 9 to 10 feet, semi-concert piano which is 84-92 inches, parlor piano which is 75 to 82 inches, professional piano type usually are 72 inches, medium piano type varies from 66 to 68 inches, the baby piano (59 to 66 inches) which is and petit pianos (48 to 53 inches) are the smallest in size.

However, the baby grand pianos are typically 59 to 66 inches long and approximately 60 inches wide. Nowadays, there are even smaller baby grand pianos which are about 48 to 53 inches, sold in the market, referred to as petite grand.

BABY GRAND VS. GRAND PIANO – SOUND

Again, the sound quality also depends on the size of the piano. A trained musician can always spot the difference between the tones played on a baby grand and a grand piano. Longer grand pianos produce a fuller and rich sound with more balanced tones. However, no matter how much of a high quality the sound of a baby grand is, the volume is still less compared to a concert piano.  We can divide the sound difference between a baby grand and a grand piano into three aspects- Inharmonicity, Volume and Balance, and Piano Keys.

Inharmonicity is the measure of the level the frequencies an overtone varies from the fundamental frequency. If a piano has less inharmonicity, the sound produced would be clearer. A high-quality grand piano produces very little inharmonicity and is very close to an ideal harmony.

However, the amount of inharmonicity of a piano also depends on the stiffness of the piano strings. A piano that consists of shorter and thicker strings tends to have more Inharmonicity than a piano that has long and flexible strings. That shows baby grand piano has more inharmonicity than that of a large grand piano.

Now let’s talk about the concert grand piano, which can produce a near-perfect harmony with almost no inharmonicity, which gives the concert grand pianos, a great toner brilliance. They produce octaves that sound clear and richer from the lowest note to the highest note, which is why a concert grand piano is typically the choice for the professional pianist and performers

Volume: The volume of a grand piano depends on the size of the piano as well. The larger they are the greater range of volume they can produce. A concert piano consists of longer strings, which allows them to play both loudly and softly than a baby grand piano. However, for proper resonance, a larger grand will need more space. So, we can say that a grand piano wouldn’t be an appropriate choice to play at home.

Balanced and richer tone: – A piano with long strings will often produce balanced tones, for example – grand pianos. Grand pianos, which are much larger in size, would produce more overtones compared to smaller-sized grand pianos to create a deeper and richer sound.

The length of the piano, as well as the quality of the piano, has a huge influence on the instrument’s overall sound. A top-branded baby grand piano would outclass any grand piano of a low quality. So whether you choose a baby grand piano or a grand piano, it is still possible to find a piano that produces an exceptional tone quality, rich and dynamic sound.

BABY GRAND VS. GRAND PIANO: – THE AVERAGE PRICE

Based on the size and name, we can say that a baby grand piano would cost less than a grand piano. However, the price range for both models varies depending on the brand, model, and production year. The most expensive baby grand will cost as much as an average used grand piano. So, you can choose from various quality baby grand with a starting price of 10000 dollars and a grand piano, with a starting price of 50000 dollars.

Nowadays, markets are flooded with different kinds of models of baby grand pianos that are easily affordable. China and Indonesia, which are the core manufacturer’s focuses more on the look of the piano than the sound quality it produces. Also, don’t forget to check my Digital Piano Yamaha P115 – Full Review and Complete Buying Guide for Beginners on 2021 and Yamaha P71 Reviews – A Killer Piano Reviews and Buying Guide

So, Which One Is A Better Choice?

When buying a piano few things should be kept in mind- the size, the quality, and the price. Any size of the grand piano could offer a delicate and rich sound if they are bought from a well-known piano company. In this article on Baby Grand vs. Grand piano, we would see how these two pianos are better suited for different applications.

Room Size: – A grand piano of any size will be best placed in a spacious room with high ceilings, while a baby grand piano can offer just delicate sound in a less spacious room. It’s very important to take accurate measurements to determine how much space is available. Besides, it’s safer to add some extra feet to the length for the piano bench that comes along with the piano.

Not only is the space of a room stands as an obstacle for a grand piano, but even the doorways also need to be wide enough to move the piano inside and out. Professional piano movers can help determine the perfect route to relocate the piano safely and smoothly.

PURPOSE OF THE PIANO

If you decide to buy a piano for a theater or a performance hall, a concert grand or a semi concert grand is often a better choice. The pianos offer a clean and professional sound that will be easily fitted in a large hall.

A mid-sized grand piano, like a professional grand or parlor grand, will work fine for a school theater or a spacious music classroom. A standard grand piano produces a rich sound and does not require a lot of spacing to fit in compared to a concert grand piano. However, if you are purchasing a piano for teaching purposes, the durability of the piano and price would be one of the main concerns. A slightly smaller piano or buying a piano from a reputable retailer instead of from a manufacturer can save you from the concerns. However, if you want to level up the aesthetic value of your living room, a beautiful baby grand or a medium grand piano will be the best option. Baby-grands are specially made to fit at home or other small spaces.

PLAYER SKILL LEVEL

Players who are professionals usually prefer concert grand piano because of its quality sound and improved resonance. A larger grand piano produces a near-perfect sound that allows the musician to shine on the field of playing a piece of music on the piano. However, if u you are a beginner, you may want to start with a smaller grand piano as you keep building your skills. On the other hand, an amateur can simply work on a baby grand piano and produce a delicate tone.

YOUR BUDGET

As said before, the grand piano’s price varies depending on its manufacturer, model, production year, and condition of the piano. Baby grand pianos, however, are comparatively less expensive than a larger grand piano. When you decide to buy the right grand piano that is within your budget, make sure to not buy the largest piano simply because you can afford it. Instead, focus on the high quality of the piano that’s in your price range. Because a high-quality baby guitar can perform way better than that of an inexpensive large piano.

The advantage of buying a baby piano is, that you will benefit from their slow devaluation- as grand piano loses its value very slowly, so you can earn back much of what you invested if you decide to sell your piano in the future. This will help a beginner to start with a baby grand and then upgrading to a larger grand piano with the increase in their skill and professionalism. To conclude, both grand and baby piano will offer exceptional tones and is very responsive which lets the pianist express music in their own style. In this article about a baby grand vs. grand piano, you can see that there is a difference between the sound quality, volume, tone, and balance between the two pianos.  The grand piano is a marvelous choice for professional performers because of the rich sound and delicate tonality. On the other hand, the baby piano will meet all your needs if you are a beginner.