Progymnasmata #2: Comparison

To the untrained ear, a piano sounds the same regardless of the style. Traditional spinet pianos and grand pianos will be compared for quality in size, tone, and affordability. While both styles of pianos exhibit the basic qualities of a piano—eighty-eight keys, sets of strings, and hammers (in most modern versions of each piano), two to three pedals, and identical key organization—the fundamental differences lie within the acoustics built into the pianos.




Spinet pianos are designed to fit in smaller spaces and can rest flush against walls, while grand pianos occupy a much larger space and rest much farther away from walls. The design of each piano plays an enormous role in the quality of tone resounded by the instrument. Spinet pianos are designed with the strings running vertically and the wooden casing surrounding the strings in a rectangular shape. In contrast, the strings on grand pianos run horizontally with the wooden casing surrounding the strings in a more rounded shape. The enclosed acoustic casing around spinet pianos results in a much more dull tone. The feature of an opening lid on the grand piano allows for the acoustics from the strings to resound and project much more vibrantly, resulting in brilliant tones. Prices vary greatly between spinet pianos and grand pianos. Spinet pianos are much more affordable because the amount of work producing the pianos is much less than that of producing a grand piano. Depending on the brand of the piano, the prices of spinets—both new and used—vary from several hundred dollars to a couple thousand. In contrast, new and used grand pianos range from several thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.