Piano manufacturers create their instruments to meet the needs of a specific venue or performer. A full-sized concert grand piano may be required a professional concert pianist performing with a full orchestra, whereas an accompanist for a small church may only require an upright piano. There are more gradations and even some electronic elements to consider along the way.
A concert grand piano is the largest type of piano. Recital halls and orchestral stages are frequently used for this type of performance. Musicians usually go to the piano rather than the other way around because of its size and tuning requirements. The tones produced concert grand pianos are very vibrant, especially in the lower registers. When a solo pianist is up against a full orchestra, this is critical.
A grand or a bagrand piano is the most practical size of piano for most people. These have the same horizontal soundboard configuration as concert grand pianos, but are much shorter. A grand piano is roughly 3/4 the size of a concert grand, while a bagrand is roughly 1/2 the size. During performance, both use a hinged lid to direct sound towards the audience. Many music schools keep a number of grands and bagrands on hand for student recitals or visiting performers.
Many amateur pianists choose upright pianos for home use. These make use of vertically mounted strings to cut down on horizontal length. This means that an upright piano can be placed in a living room or den alongside a couch or bookcase. Although the sound of an upright piano is not as rich as that of a grand, it is ideal for casual performances. Many upright pianos have been passed down through the generations.
Pick-ups and amplifiers are available on some pianos, allowing you to create an entirely new sound. Because the pianist could duplicate the solo breaks of a guitarist while chording on a piano, electric pianos became popular with jazz musicians. Many traveling bands use electric pianos and synthesizers almost exclusively because they can be carried on the road without the detuning issues that a traditional piano has.
Some students may come across rehearsal pianos with a limited number of octaves. These are primarily intended to be used in conjunction with music theory classes or basic keyboard courses. Some of the most recent do-it-yourself piano courses even include a small electronic keyboard that can be rolled up and stored between sessions.