Upright vs Grand Piano: Can You Hear the Difference?

I dug through the archives of Living Pianos recordings and found an upright piano and a grand piano playing the same Chiarina movement of Schumann's Carnaval. I took the second repeat in one of the recordings but not the other, but other than that they are the same. Both pianos were recorded in the same place with the same microphones, which is really great for this test. I'm going to reveal what those instruments are after you get a chance to listen.

Write down your answer!

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1987 Baldwin Hamilton 45-inch Studio Upright

1998 Baldwin SF-10 7-foot Semi-ConcertGrand

Upright pianos versus Grand pianos - Uprights Vs. Grands

[MrDaewonLee]

1: much deeper and richer sound, 2: it was like just upright

[dynoroad]

I got it right because of the sound in the bass register, however! Choosing between the two was immensely more difficult than I thought it would be. That upright piano had a tremendous tone.

[johnstangl]

OMG. I am a beginner at the age of 70. I could not tell the difference at all! Even with expensive headphones. I got them wrong. I so much enjoy your videos. They are always informative, interesting and I enjoy your enthusiasm and sense of humor. And of course your incredible playing too. John Stangl

[CptShelby]

I was unsure while hearing the first recording, but knew right away when the second started. I like these comparisons. Now digital piano vs acoustic?

[JasonBryantGreen]

The bass is definitely the give away at the end. The upright struggles to resonate like the grand.

[andrewohler]

That has to be one of the best uprights I have ever heard lol. They always sound like apartment toys made for ragtime party music but this upright was actually rich and didn’t have such a percussive toy sound. Awesome video!

[lesmurphy]

I knew piano 1 was the grand right from the start. I am so used to the sound of grand pianos from listening to youtube concerts and solos.

[salliemorrill]

Amazing. Haven't heard a good upright like that in many years. Great teaching aid for us sound engineers. To get a good recording of piano is challenging, & that was beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[anacarlson]

I've only been playing piano for 2 years and mine is a digital Suzuki baby grand. I was able to distinguish the rich vibrations of the grand piano. It's beautiful sound moving in the air. Thank you for your videos. I've learned at lot even though I'm still a "newbie" at piano.

[joemmac]

I got this right but not because of the sound but because I think you chose a piece that highlights one of the limitations of an upright. Uprights have a harder time with quick note repetitions, even if only two in a row. The first piano's repetitions were sharp, quick, and strong whereas the 2nd was not.

[earlarchibaldcampbellofarg]

Yay I got it right. The upright sounds brighter, and the grand has rich elongated base strings. Both are beautiful!

[electricsnut]

Unmistakable that the 1st was the grand, the low end was much more substantial and sounded fuller overall

[sato]

Once I heard the higher notes in the second performance I already knew it was an upright piano :)

[ArisenDD]

Hello sir may i ask whats the title of the first piano song ??

[mangoldm]

Loved this test, partially because I instantly knew what I was listening to with both pianos. Uprights often sound to me like the unison width is off.

[startwinkle]

I got it right, but it was a lot closer than I thought it would be. Nice challenge, Robert!

[rachaelc]

I got this one right. I was trying to listen for which one had more weight/power from the hammers and more reverb in the strings (both characteristics that seemed more like a grand). This was tough though.. I actually had them switched before i listened to them both again and solidified my answers. I've been a pianist my whole life but never a piano expert, so these listening tests are very interesting!

[davidtyler]

Yes, I could tell the grand had a wider dynamic range and sounded more open. But having said that the upright sounded really good .
Question then: On a limited budget would I be better buying a lower end grand or a better quality upright?

[kathykapsner]

Well I did get it right, but I owned a Baldwin Hamilton and mine surely didn’t sound like that! I also don’t sound like you when I play😂😂

[lukegraves]

I have a 1931 Edward B Healy baby grand and a 1975 model K upright Steinway studio. I knew the difference immediately because it was too close sounding to my current setup. Loved it!