Grand pianos can weigh as much as 1200 lbs and as little as 400 lbs.
Pianos are heavy. It seems like a pretty simple statement, but the weight of pianos is something that not many people know about. Some studies show how piano tuners can cause damage to their back and shoulders by lifting or lowering the instrument when it needs tuning or repair. So what does this have to do with you? Well, for starters, if you’re thinking about buying a piano for your home, then be sure to get an estimate on its weight beforehand so that you can plan appropriately for placement in your house. You may also want to keep in mind how much space will be needed between furniture and other objects to accommodate the size of the instrument? Let’s take a look at different types of Grand Pianos and how much do they weigh?
History of Grand Pianos
One of the earliest pianos was a harpsichord-like instrument. They were intended to be placed in the corner of the room near a window for maximum reverberation but soon evolved into larger rooms and churches until they became what we know as a parlor or square pianos. Technology advanced, and they added pedals, knee levers, strings, and eventually, the grand piano was invented. The first grand piano weighed about 800 kg (1,600 pounds). By 1813, there were already four manufacturers in Paris building Grand Pianos over 1 ton in weight! This is probably due to increased interest in these types of pianos by composers such as Beethoven, who preferred them over smaller pianos.
Pianos continued to grow in size until modern times. Later grand piano models that are still currently manufactured weigh about 500-600 kg (1,100-1,300 pounds) which was already quite a bit lighter than the 1-ton models made before the 1800s and could be moved by two men. The biggest competitor to the piano industry was the organ manufacturing business. At one point in history, over 10,000 people were working as piano makers in London alone!
Various Styles of Grand Pianos and their Weight
Although Grand Pianos can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, here are the major types of Grand Pianos and their weight:
- Petite Grand Piano: 400 lbs to 600 lbs.
- Baby Grand: 400 lbs to 500 lbs
- Medium Grand: 600 lbs
- Parlor Grand: 600 lbs to 700 lbs
- Concert Grand: 900 lbs to 1200 lbs
Why the Weight of the Grand Piano Matter?
One might ask, why would I care about the weight of a piano? Well, if you plan on moving it, then this is important. Heavy Grand Pianos can weigh anywhere between 800 lbs to 1800 lbs or more, depending on how big they are. The heavier the Grand Piano, the more difficult it will be to move and put it in place when setting up your home music system. If you’re thinking about buying a new Grand Piano for your house, then you may want to consider getting help from someone who knows what they’re doing-especially if trying to move one by yourself (which should never be done unless it’s an emergency).
Major Brands Manufacturing Grand Pianos
Historically, the two leading manufacturers of Grand Pianos were Steinway & Sons and Bösendorfer. However, other Germans made Grand Pianos known to be just as good in quality, including Fazioli and Grotrian-Steinweg. Steinway & Son’s partnered with Yamaha to make a few Grand Pianos under their brand name, which is now sold by Pearl River Piano Company.
Other big brands that manufacture different pianos include Baldwin (American), Young Chang (Korean), Kawai, Nordiska, Petrof, Schimmel, Sohmer, Knabe, Estonia, etc.
See also: How Much Does a Piano Weigh?
Conclusion
Grand Pianos may have originated as small instruments with limited functionality, but they have come a long way. These days you can find grand pianos made technologically advanced with high-quality sounds, large ranges of sound, and sustain. If you feel like purchasing one for yourself, then be sure to plan for how it will be moved around if you are doing it by yourself and make appropriate arrangements beforehand.
See also: Different Types of Pianos | How to Take Care of Grand Piano while Moving it
