Should I Buy An Upright Or Grand Piano?
For most homes, a full-size upright piano is the practical choice. It offers a fine tone and a proper action in a sensible footprint and at a more accessible price. A grand piano offers a fuller sound and a more responsive action, and is a wonderful instrument for a committed player, but it needs considerably more room and a larger budget. The right choice depends mainly on your space, your budget and how seriously you play.
This is one of the most enjoyable decisions in buying a piano, and here is how to think it through.
What a grand piano offers
A grand piano has two real advantages over an upright. Its soundboard is larger, which gives a fuller, richer and more resonant sound. And its action is horizontal, which makes the touch more responsive and allows faster, more controlled repetition of notes. For an advanced or committed player, these things genuinely matter, and a grand is a beautiful instrument to own and to play. Our grand pianos range runs from compact baby grands to larger instruments.
What an upright offers
An upright piano should not be thought of as a compromise. A good full-size upright has an excellent tone and a proper, satisfying action, and it does everything a learner or an enthusiastic amateur needs. It sits neatly against a wall, fits comfortably in most homes, and costs considerably less than a grand of similar quality. For the great majority of buyers, a quality upright pianos is the sensible and rewarding choice.
The space question
Space is usually the deciding factor. An upright can stand against a wall and takes up relatively little room. A grand, even a compact baby grand, needs a fair-sized room, both for the instrument and for comfortable space around it. Be honest about your room before you fall in love with a grand, because a grand piano in too small a space is neither comfortable nor at its best.
The budget question
Budget matters too. A good used upright generally ranges from roughly 1,500 to 6,000 pounds depending on quality, while quality used grands typically start at around 8,000 pounds and rise from there. A grand is a larger commitment, though our payment plans and Hire to Buy options can help. There is more on this on our page How Much Should I Spend On A Piano?
Which suits your level?
A beginner does not need a grand piano. A good full-size upright is an excellent instrument to learn on, and a learner will progress happily on one for many years. A grand becomes genuinely worthwhile for a committed or advanced player who wants the fuller sound and finer action, and who has the room and budget to match.
Play both and see
If you are torn, the answer is simple: come and play both. Sitting at a fine upright and then at a grand, in the same visit, tells you far more than any description can. We keep a large stock of both in our Faringdon showroom, and we are happy to let you take your time.
Frequently asked questions
Is a grand piano better than an upright?
A grand has a larger soundboard and horizontal action, giving a fuller sound and more responsive touch. It offers more in that sense, but a good upright is excellent and more practical for most homes.
How much room does a grand piano need?
Noticeably more than an upright, both for the instrument and for access around it. Even a compact baby grand needs a fair-sized room. An upright sits against a wall and suits most homes.
Should a beginner buy a grand piano?
A beginner does not need a grand. A good full-size upright is an excellent instrument to learn on. A grand becomes worthwhile for a committed player with the space and budget.
Play uprights and grands side by side
The Piano Gallery is an independent, family-run piano specialist established in 1980. We hold a large stock of both upright and grand pianos, all available to play and compare in our showroom, with delivery, tuning and a guarantee included.
The Piano Gallery
13-17 London Street, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, SN7 7AE
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Any other time by appointment.
Telephone: 01367 244554 | Email: sales@thepianogallery.co.uk