grand piano

A grand piano is a type of piano characterized by its horizontal frame and strings, distinguishing it from an upright piano. The piano itself is a complex keyboard instrument where wire strings are struck by felt-covered hammers operated from the keyboard. It is classified as a chordophone, similar to a lyre or harp, due to its strings, but also falls into the percussion instrument category because hammers strike these strings to produce sound.123

The modern piano action, refined from earlier designs like Bartolomeo Cristofori's in the early 18th century, is intricate, containing thousands of parts. Grand pianos vary in size, from about 5 feet for a "baby" grand to 9 feet for a "concert" grand. The piano's development led to a distinct pianistic style of playing and composing, making it a preferred instrument for various musical genres.245