Buying an Upright Piano or Grand Piano – Which Piano Is Right for You?

If you are looking to buy an upright piano or a grand piano, there are several things to consider. Whether an upright piano oder grand piano, which grand piano size and price range, and whether it may be worthwhile for you to purchase a pre-owned upright piano or a pre-owned grand piano — you will find an overview here with detailed information on buying a grand piano or upright piano. We are also happy to advise you in person. In a complimentary, no-obligation phone call, we can address your individual needs. Simply fill out the contact form to do so.

Buy an Upright Piano or Grand Piano? – The Differences

Tonal quality and richness are directly related to the size of the soundboard and the length of the strings. This means: the larger the piano, the fuller its sound. Please bear in mind, however, that a first-rate upright piano is in every case preferable to an inferior grand piano.

In addition to outward appearance and size, the positioning of the soundboard is the defining difference between an upright piano and a grand piano. In a grand piano, the soundboard and strings are arranged horizontally, whereas in an upright piano they are placed vertically. As a result, the action in a grand piano works with gravity and can respond more quickly than in an upright piano.

Choosing Between a Grand Piano and an Upright Piano Based on Room Size

Whether you should buy an upright piano or a grand piano depends on the size of the room in which your piano will ultimately be placed. Familiarize yourself with the dimensions of grand pianos and upright pianos. The Steinway Upright Piano has a height of 1.32 m and a width of 1.53 m. With a depth of only 0.68 m, the upright piano is the ideal choice when floor space is limited. If the upright piano or even a baby grand is too small for the available room, the instrument appears out of place and cannot fully develop its sound. In that case, perhaps a parlor grand would be shown to its best advantage.

Prices of grand pianos and upright pianos

First and foremost, it is the quality of grand pianos and upright pianos that determines their price. However, if you are in search of an uncompromising sound and playing experience, the price of your grand piano or upright piano will reward you for years and decades — and across generations — with a superb playing feel and the utmost musical enjoyment.

The price also depends on whether you are purchasing an upright piano or a grand piano, and on which grand piano model you choose. Grand piano sizes range from 1.55 m in length for the smallest grand piano to 2.74 m in length for our concert grand. The finish — whether veneered, the choice of color, or perhaps even a unique piece from one of our limited special editions — also influences the price of the grand piano or upright piano. Please feel free to ask us for the prices for our upright piano and the various grand piano models and finishes.

Buying a pre-owned upright piano or a pre-owned grand piano

With proper care, a Steinway lasts for many decades, bringing its owners great joy in music. When you purchase a pre-owned upright piano or a pre-owned grand piano, you can acquire a high-quality instrument at a lower price. To eliminate any potential risks, you should make sure to be well informed when purchasing a pre-owned upright piano or grand piano before making your decision.

Some older pianos are in excellent condition and possess a fine tonal character, making them an outstanding value for discerning buyers. If you are considering acquiring a pre-owned Steinway, please contact an authorized Steinway dealer and purchase an instrument with a certificate that guarantees 100% Steinway quality.

If the purchase offer is a private one, make certain here as well that a skilled piano technician is on hand to inspect the instrument. The assessment should provide you with a detailed account of the piano’s condition. If you decide to purchase a pre-owned or restored Steinway, we strongly recommend that you obtain written confirmation that all replacement parts are genuine Steinway parts.

Important tonal factors when purchasing an upright piano or grand piano

When purchasing a grand piano or an upright piano, you should take into account the various factors that influence the sound of a grand piano or upright piano. These include, for example, the quality of the materials used and the overall construction. Tonal quality and richness of tone are directly related to the size of the soundboard and the length of the strings. A larger soundboard will produce a greater volume of sound; longer strings yield a fuller tone, especially in the bass register. For the larger the piano, the finer its sound.

Furthermore, every grand piano and every upright piano has its own individual tonal character, determined by its age, the condition of the hammer heads, and the care it has received. Room climate and humidity are just as decisive for the sound as the acoustics and furnishings of the room. Heavy carpets, fabrics, and upholstered furniture, for instance, can literally absorb the sound and cause it to appear considerably softer. Wood and tile surfaces generally produce a more brilliant, dynamic resonance.

Testing the action of a grand piano or upright piano when playing it

If you are looking to purchase a grand piano or an upright piano, pay close attention when playing the instrument to how it responds when the keys are struck. Every pianist experiences the touch of a piano differently. While one player may prefer a light touch, another may favor a degree of resistance in the keys. It is best to play a variety of instruments and to notice how the keys feel when struck. Are they dynamic and responsive, or rather stiff and sluggish? A well-responding piano will give you greater ease and expressiveness in your playing. Bear in mind, too, that a skilled piano technician is able to adjust the action to suit your personal preference.

Purchasing a grand piano or upright piano with superior quality of construction

Two pianos may look similar and yet vary greatly in price. Manufacturers of high-quality grand pianos and upright pianos pay careful attention to craftsmanship and the selection of their materials, for only the finest materials can yield first-class pianos. It is important, for example, whether a soundboard is crafted from the finest spruce with a close grain or from laminated wood. When you wish to purchase an upright piano or a grand piano, it should convince you both in its outward appearance and through its interior appointments. These include a flawless and even surface as well as the perfect grain of the soundboard and veneer, in which both aesthetic and tonal quality are revealed.

The cast-iron plate should be visually appealing and polished. And every moving part — including the lid, music desk, and key cover — must perform its function smoothly and accurately. In short, the piano you choose should be, on the one hand, a beautiful piece of furniture and, on the other, a precisely functioning instrument.

«To build the best piano possible» was once the philosophy of company founder Henry E. Steinway. This maxim is embraced by all employees of Steinway ⁠&⁠ Sons to this day. Steinway ⁠&⁠ Sons has always felt a deep commitment to upholding the tradition and care of experienced craftsmanship that makes the family of Steinway piano builders so unique. Only Steinway ⁠&⁠ Sons remains uncompromising in its pursuit of perfection. And only Steinway can claim that every instrument is at once a handcrafted masterpiece and a work of art.

Purchasing a grand piano or upright piano in a special finish

If you love the extraordinary, purchase an upright piano or a grand piano that is a true visual statement! Steinway grand pianos and upright pianos are available in a wide variety of finishes: from classic black or mahogany, polished or satin, to exotic veneers and limited special editions or the choice of your personal color of choice. In this way, the instrument you choose can enrich your home with style and elegance.

Despite the wide variety of models, every individual Steinway represents a unique, high-quality musical instrument. When you select your Steinway according to your personal style, you can at the same time be confident that it meets the exacting standards that Steinway ⁠&⁠ Sons has applied to the crafting of its grand pianos and upright pianos for more than 160 years.

Finding the right piano dealer

The now-proverbial quote from an American investor — «If you have no knowledge of the value of your jewels, trust your jeweler» — applies equally to pianos. Here, too, it is advisable to turn to a reputable dealer.

Steinway ⁠&⁠ Sons applies the same conscientiousness to the selection of its authorized dealers as it does to the crafting of its instruments. Authorized Steinway dealers rank among the market-leading specialists in their field. In keeping with the exacting standards demanded by both Steinway ⁠&⁠ Sons and their clientele, they meet the highest expectations in every respect and frequently take an active role in the cultural life and music education of their region. Many of them have represented Steinway ⁠&⁠ Sons for generations. We recommend purchasing your upright piano or grand piano from one of our authorized dealers, where you can trust in 100% Steinway quality — even when it comes to pre-owned grand pianos and upright pianos.

Here you will find our main showrooms in German-speaking countries:

- Purchase an upright piano or grand piano in Hamburg

- Purchase an upright piano or grand piano in Berlin

- Purchase an upright piano or grand piano in Munich

- Purchase an upright piano or grand piano in Stuttgart

- Purchase an upright piano or grand piano in Düsseldorf

- Purchase an upright piano or grand piano in Frankfurt

- Purchase an upright piano or grand piano in Vienna

In addition, you will find further authorized Steinway grand piano and upright piano dealers distributed throughout Germany and around the world. Simply use our dealer search to locate the specialist dealer nearest to you.