grand piano

noun. a piano having the frame supported horizontally on three legs.

soft and loud Piano comes from the original Italian name for the instrument: piano e forte, "soft and loud." Piano is also the musical notation that tells the player that something should be played quietly.

The word “grand,” meaning large, was first used to describe any piano - upright or horizontal - with long strings. Over time, grand became synonymous with horizontal pianos, which were typically larger than their upright cousins.

For one thing, the larger size of grand pianos means that they have longer strings and larger soundboards, which impart a different tonality than do uprights.

Grand in this context just means big or large (large-scale). In the two instances you give, these are French descriptors: the Beethoven example roughly translates as "large-scale, sad sonata"; the Chopin "large-scale, shining waltzes".

The total tension of most standard pianos is around 18-20 tons. Some of the largest grand pianos hold up to 30 tons of tension! The harp, or the metal frame of the piano, is usually made of cast iron. Up until the 1950s, piano keys were made from elephant tusks.

soft or quiet The two basic dynamic indications in music are: p or piano, meaning "soft or quiet". f or forte, meaning "loud or strong".

Piano interpretation is to know the piece in all of its complexity, technique, and to bring one's own personality to complement this knowledge. The speed and technique of the fingers plays a vital role when playing the piano as it is a complex and subtle task to execute.

Grand in this context just means big or large (large-scale). In the two instances you give, these are French descriptors: the Beethoven example roughly translates as "large-scale, sad sonata"; the Chopin "large-scale, shining waltzes".

In an upright piano, the strings are strung vertically to make the instrument more compact, which allows the piano to be played in a limited space. In contrast, the grand piano retains the shape of the original pianoforte in which the strings are strung horizontally, and has a greater potential for expression.

In an upright piano, the strings are strung vertically to make the instrument more compact, which allows the piano to be played in a limited space. In contrast, the grand piano retains the shape of the original pianoforte in which the strings are strung horizontally, and has a greater potential for expression.

Grand pianos: Measured by length

1. Baby grand: Up to 5'7” in length.
2. Medium grand: 5'7” to 5'10” in length.
3. Full grand: 5'10” to 7' in length.
4. Performance grand: 7' to 9' in length.
5. Concert grand: 9' and above in length.