About Pianos
How many octaves (notes) does a piano have?
Usually 7 octaves (85 notes) or 7 1/4 octaves (88 Notes). Some smaller pianos have only 6 octaves (73 notes).
What are the main differences between an upright and a grand piano?
An upright piano has a vertical cabinet and the strings are strung vertically inside, whereas a grand has strings strung on a horizontally positioned frame, and has a more open case. For information, please take a look at Types of Grand Pianos & Types of Upright Pianos.
What is meant by the term ‘upright-grand’?
This is a term which is not heard very often today but refers to an antique or traditional piano with an unusually high structure. It is of course not a ‘grand’ piano at all, but a higher than average upright piano.
What is meant by a ‘Spinet’ piano?
Most small pianos built in the U.S.A. have a bureau or writing-desk style often with cabriole legs at the front and are referred to ‘spinets’. A true Spinet is a plucked early keyboard instrument.
What is a Yacht piano?
A small 5-octave upright piano built with a folding keyboard that can be used in boats or small vessels. Now very rare, most were built before the 1930s.
What is ‘Pianola’ or ‘Player Piano’?
This is a standard upright or grand piano with a built-in self-playing mechanism powered by bellows from two foot pedals. Music is created by air-pressure controlled special rolls with perforations which allow specified notes to be played automatically.
You can find more information about pianos on our blog