Dominique Billetthe different types of piano
By definition it is a traditional piano in which the sound is produced by a hammer striking the strings mechanically. The dimension of the piano, called height for upright pianos and length for grand pianos, will influence the intensity of the sound.
The categories of upright pianos are study pianos between 1.08m and 1.12m in height, lexpression pianos between 1.13m and 1.22m and prestige pianos between 1.23m and 1.31m. The longer the strings, the more the sound will resonate with the soundboard and therefore more powerful.
For grand pianos, the categories are toad pianos measuring between 1.45m and 1.55m, quarter-tails between 1.55m and 1.90m, half-tails between 1.95m and 2.15m, three-quarter-tails measuring between 2.20m and 2.30m and grand pianos from 2.75m.
electric pianos
With an electric piano the sound is not produced electronically but analogically by a series of aluminum bars set in vibration by hammers similar to those of an acoustic piano. Then this vibration is transformed into electrical impulse by electromagnetic microphones placed close to the source of the sound as it occurs in an electric guitar. This technique has its origins in Germany in the 1930s but it was a certain Mr Rhodes during the Second World War who revolutionized the genre by using parts of American bombers. Electromagnetism was widely used in the 1960s and 1970s, but advances in electronics in the early 1980s led the music industry to abandon electromagnetics and turn to the synthesizer. Despite the defects of these pianos in particular in the stability of the tuning, many artists continue to play on these electromagnetic pianos producing a sound so particular
digital pianos
The digital piano is a musical instrument that reproduces the sound of an acoustic piano using sound sampling technology. The digital piano differs from the electronic piano which uses analog technology. The sound quality depends on the quality of the sampling and the sound system. Today, thanks to “multi-sampling” techniques, the sound produced is of excellent quality whatever the note played.
On the high-end models, the reproduction of dynamic touch is satisfactory, which brings real sensitivity to expressive playing.
Digital pianos bring specific advantages such as reduced weight and size, the absence of recurring tuning, the possibility of playing with headphones without disturbing those around you and connectivity with MAO software and additional synthesizers.
Apart from the question of the budget, before making your choice among these categories nothing will replace a complete test of the instrument that you covet. In the end, it’s the sound that will make your decision.