What is the difference between a baby grand and a grand piano?

In this video, Rich Galassini and Hugh Sung discuss what the differences are between a baby grand and a grand piano. The primary differences are in the size of the piano, measured from the keyboard to the back of the instrument. The size of the piano will fundamentally affect the quality of the sound. Longer strings allow for greater levels of overtones - extra sound frequencies that can be heard around the primary note being played, adding depth and richness to the tone. To help understand the differences in sound and overtones, we compare 3 different piano sizes:

• A 4'6" Kohler & Campbell
• A 5'7" Steinway & Sons Model M
• A 9' Yamaha CFX

The term "baby grand" was coined by Hugo Sohmer in 1885 when he built the first 5 foot piano, but to be honest, it is a rather subjective term. It is generally more helpful to describe a piano by its actual measurements (5 ft piano, 7 ft. piano, 9 ft. piano, etc.) to get a better sense of its tone capabilities. And bigger isn't always better - sometimes a very large piano can be too much for a small space, for example. We invite you to visit us to discuss your particular needs to find the best sized piano for you!