Many people believe that a grand piano and an upright piano are just different configurations of the same thing, that is, a piano. A grand piano however, is superior in several important ways to an upright piano. Putting aside the obvious aesthetic fact that a grand piano is pleasing in three dimensions, and an upright piano is designed to be put up against a wall, the most compelling musical difference is the mechanical configuration of a grand piano, or the way, the keys action, dampers and pedals work. 

MECHANICAL SYSTEM:  Very simply put, when you play a note on an upright piano on order to play that note again you must release the key completely, (single escapement), whereas on a grand piano you simply have to release pressure on a key and you can make it repeat, (double escapement). This means that an accomplished pianist can play more quickly on a grand than an upright piano. Also, after you release a key on a grand piano, all the mechanical parts, (keys, whippens hammers, dampers),fall back into place, through gravity which is constant, as opposed to an upright where often little springs have to push parts back into place; a less desirable alternative.

SOUND PROJECTION: When you play an upright piano which is situated against a wall,  the soundboard is parallel to the wall, and the sound goes out and hits the wall and bounces back at you and into the room, or you must hear the sound which travels through the front boards of the piano. This is not an ideal arrangement for the projection of sound. A grand piano soundboard lies parallel to the floor and with the lid open will project sound into the fullness of the room.

SIZE: In order to fill a large auditorium with sound, a piano must be large; concert grand pianos are 9 feet long. If you were to make an upright piano with the same string length as a concert grand it would be so top-heavy, it would fall over and crush the pianist, certainly not an ideal arrangement.

VISIT THE PIANO WORKSHOPS AND SHOWROOMS OF ROBERT LOWREY TO LEARN: This has been a very short summary, but in our very large piano workshops you talk to our technicians and see all the components of grand and upright pianos, new and 100 years old. You'll be amazed to discover one technology that has changed very little in the last 100 years. You can also see a huge variety of new and restored pianos, and find out what distinguishes a hand-made piano from a mass produced piano.

 

Ignaz Bösendorfer founded his company´s in 1828 Vienna, Austria. The excellence of the Bösendorfer pianos spread like wildfire through Europe winning many gold medals at industry exhibitions. The level of attention brought to these famous instruments resulted in Ignaz Bösendorfer receiving the title of “Imperial and Royal Fortepiano Purveyor to the Court” in 1839 granted by Emperor Ferdinand I which was quickly followed by the title of “Chamber Purveyor to the Emperor” in 1858.

 

As one of the oldest piano manufacturers the Bösendorfer brand has a uniquely rich tone, which has set Bosendorfer apart for 180 years.

 

 

 

Wilhelm Schimmel founded his own piano workshop in Leipzig, Germany in 1885. His passion and dedication for music and family slogan of “Quality will prevail” made the Schimmel pianos most popular throughout Germany. 

 

The high quality of “Konzert Series” concert pianos developed and perfected over a span of 20 years, consolidated the companies leading position in the market.

 

 

The Story and Clark piano company was founded by three individuals Hampton Story, his son Edward Story and Melville Clark in 1884 in Chicago. One of the main goals of the Story and Clark founders was to ensure the pianos were not only of quality craftsmanship and tone but also affordable.

 

The longevity, affordability and tone of the Story and Clark pianos have become legendary.

 

 

 

 

The Kohler and Campbell Industries Inc. were established in New York in 1896 by Charles Kohler and John Calvin Campbell; together they created one of the largest piano companies in America dedicated to exemplary craftsmanship and providing their customers the best value for their dollar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Lowrey’s Piano Experts is proud to provide an extensive selection of some of the world’s finest grand pianos, including many more than the few mentioned above. The expertise and attentive manner of the staff at Robert Lowrey’s will help you find your perfect piano.
Visit our main website at www.pianoexperts.com and let us help you make the first step in finding the instrument instrument which will become part of your family for decades to come.