The grand piano is a percussion instrument in which hammers strike strings,
causing vibrations. The grand has its strings stretched horizontally above a
soundboard, and is operated by a standard keyboard of white and black notes. A
baby grand is about 5 feet long,, the largest is the concert grand, which is
about 9 feet long. The range is 7½ octaves, from the A, 3 octaves below
the A below middle C (MIDI A0), up to the C, 4 octaves above middle
C. (MIDI C8)
Compared to an upright piano, the grand has a better tone
and greater resonance. Grand pianos are generally used in concert performances,
especially for works such as piano concertos with a full symphony orchestra.
The instrument which we today call a piano, was originally called a 'pianoforte', which is a word formed by stringing together the Italian adjectives 'piano' and ' forte', so it means 'Soft-Loud'. This instrument was a technical break-through at the time, as the player could play louder or softer by changing his touch. This was a great contrast to the harpsichord, which could not be played louder or softer by merely striking the keys harder or softer.