Not many people think that vertical pianos have an excellent tonal quality due to their 
compactness. However, as time goes by, manufacturers have produced better vertical pianos, also known as upright pianos. A vertical piano may be the best choice if you have a relatively small space. Choosing the musical instrument for your humble abode is an important decision and an enormous amount of deliberation should be given to all facets of why you are purchasing it and where it will be situated. Furthermore, there are various types of vertical pianos; therefore, you need to ensure you choose one that fits your requirements.
Vertical Pianos
I have many clients who prefer small pianos, as most of them live in houses or apartments that are rather limited in space. I advise them to buy an upright piano because of its size and height. The height of the piano is decreased by lowering the location of the keyboard action, so that it allows the lever to be pulled up by the key, as an alternative to being raised in the ordinary way. This type of an upright piano is known as a Spinet. There have been arguments among the professionals that it does not make any sense to reduce the height of an upright piano by three or four inches, but I believe that it is for the better in the end.
Sizes of Vertical Pianos
The regular width of a vertical piano is 5’ and the depth is normally between 2’ and 2 ½’. If you want to purchase this piano, you need to allocate about 5’ wide by 5’ deep and this includes the bench space. While the height does not make any difference when it comes to floor space, it does make a major disparity in the quality of sound that the piano emits. The height is usually gauged from the floor to the pinnacle of the musical instrument. You will find four types of vertical pianos that are based on their height:
• Spinet – less than 36” in height
• Console – 40” to 44” in height
• Studio (professional upright) – 45” to 50”
• Upright – 50” in height
The Spinet Piano
This is the smallest of all the vertical pianos. It consists of a dropped action, which is the part of the musical instrument that transmits the force of thumping the key to the hammer that hits the string. In terms of aesthetic value, the Spinet and Console are very alike. I know several technicians who charge more when it comes to working on a Spinet, because they feel that it is tougher to fix. The Spinet piano has more working parts compared to the Console piano, but qualified piano technicians are able to repair or service a Spinet piano without any additional charges.
The Console Piano
The Console piano is known as the most well liked vertical piano. The action of this particular piano sits openly on top of the piano keys, while the hammers are assembled in an upright position. It is a known fact that the action of vertical pianos is normally not as swift as the action of the grand pianos.
The Studio Piano
Studio pianos have additional height that allows them to produce a rich tonal quality that is akin to the grand pianos. The feel and location of its action is also dissimilar. A number of the latest studio pianos imitate the feel of the grand pianos.
The Upright Piano
This is the tallest vertical piano, and most of the older upright pianos are known as a Grandma’s piano. Between 1920 and 1940, there were many remarkable upright pianos produced in the United States of America. If an upright piano is well taken care of, it can become one of the most beautiful and robust musical instruments that ever existed.
Which vertical piano is your favorite?