How many types of pianos are there?

Answer 1

Types of Pianos

There are 10 different types of piano, all of which have metal strings which are struck by felt-covered hammers when a musician presses a key on the keyboard. Pianos are descended from other keyboard instruments such as harpsichords, organs, and clavichords which were used in the 1500s and 1600s. The first pianos were developed in the late 1700s.

Acoustic pianos

• Upright pianos are used in schools and churches. Some types of Country Music use a "honky tonk" piano, which is an upright piano in which some of the strings may be detuned, or the hammers may be modified.
  
• Grand pianos are large pianos used for solos and concerts. Small grand pianos that people have in their homes are called "baby grand pianos." The largest concert grand pianos are nine feet long.

Electric and digital pianos

• The Fender Rhodes is an electric piano which is used in rock, pop and Jazz Music. Electric pianos have an electric pickup which senses the vibrations in the strings. An amplifier makes these vibrations louder.
• Digital pianos such as the Clavianova recreate the sound of an acoustic piano by using digital samples. Although digital pianos do not have metal strings, they often have weighted keys which simulate the feel of a hammer-action acoustic piano.

Related keyboard instruments
There are also a number of keyboard instruments that are used in the 2000s that have a piano keyboard, but which do not have hammers that strike metal strings.

Plucking instruments

• The harpsichord and clavichord are keyboard instruments which are used to play Baroque music from the 1600s. They make their sound by plucking the strings.
• The Clavinet is an electric piano which is used in funk and Disco Music. The clavinet plucks the strings when the musician presses a key on the keyboard. An electric pickup senses the vibrations in the strings, and an amplifier makes these vibrations louder.

Air and pipes

• The pipe organ is a keyboard instrument that makes its sound by blowing air through rows of pipes.

Electric or electronic methods

• The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented in the 1930s which makes its sound with spinning metal tonewheels which are sensed by pickups and then amplified by an electric amplifier.
  
• The synthesizer keyboard (or "synth") is an electronic keyboard instrument which creates musical tones by manipulating the attack, oscillation, and decay of electronic signals.

IMPROVED ANSWER!!!!
The piano comes in many different styles, designs, shapes and sizes. Pianos have two basic categories: the vertical and horizontal pianos.

Vertical Pianos - They are called vertical pianos because of their height and the position of the strings. The height of this kind of piano range from 36 to 60 inches. There are 4 types:

• Spinet - With its height of 36 to 38 inches, and an approximate width of 58 inches, spinets are the smallest of the pianos. Given its size, it is the popular choice of many people who live in limited living spaces, such as apartments. One noted downside of spinets is called "lost motion", which means it has less power and accuracy due to its size and construction.
• Console - Slightly larger than the spinet, its height ranges from 40 to 43 inches and is approximately 58 inches wide. This type of piano comes in various styles and finishes. So if you're particular about your furniture complementing, consoles give you a variety of choices. It's made with a direct action, thus producing more enhanced tones.
• Studio - This is the kind of piano you see in music schools and music studios. It is 45 to 48 inches in height and has a width of approxmately 58 inches. Because of its larger soundboard and longer strings, it produces good tone quality and is very durable.
• Upright - This is the tallest among the vertical pianos, with a height ranging from 50 to 60 inches and an approximate width of 58 inches. This is the type of piano your great grandparents or grandparents used to play. When cared for properly, it stands the test of time and maintains its rich tone.

Horizontal Pianos - Also known as grand pianos. They are called horizontal pianos because of their length and the placement of their strings There are 6 basic types:

• Petite Grand - This is the smallest of the horizontal pianos. It ranges in size from 4 feet 5 inches to 4 feet 10 inches, it is indeed small but still powerful.
• Baby Grand - A very popular type of piano which ranges in size from 4 feet 11 inches to 5 feet 6 inches. Baby grands is a popular choice because of its sound quality, aesthetic appeal and affordability.
• Medium Grand - Larger than the baby grand at 5 feet and 7 inches.
• Parlor Grand - These ranges in size from 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet 1 inch. The parlor grand piano is also called living room grand piano.
• Semiconcert or Ballroom - Next size up from the Parlor Grand piano, it is approximately 7 feet long.
• Concert Grand - At 9 feet, this is the largest of all the grand pianos.

Answer 2

There are 10 different kinds of pianos. Such as, the Upright, Grand, Fender Rhondes, Digital, harpsichord, clauichord, pipe organ, hammand organ, and the synthesizer keyboard.