Piano terms, parts & sizes
Piano ABCs
Piano people speak their own language. We translate it.
A plain-English guide to the words you may hear in a piano store—from action, agraffes and bridges to voicing, regulation and the different sizes of uprights and grands.
Some words you may hear in piano stores
Knowing the language makes comparing pianos easier.
Learning your Piano ABCs is not difficult. Piano people use certain terms casually every day, but those words can be confusing if you do not work around pianos.
This page explains the terms in ordinary language so you can understand what a salesperson, teacher or technician means—and ask better questions when you compare instruments.
Chord, not cord. Regulation, not tuning. Voicing, not volume.
Some piano terms sound familiar but mean something very specific. That is why this page translates the industry vocabulary instead of assuming you already know it.
Piano sizes at a glance
What do the common size names actually mean?
The labels are useful, but they are not rigid industry standards. The actual height of an upright or length of a grand tells you more than the marketing name.
Upright / Vertical Pianos
Measured by height from the floor to the top.
Spinet
36–39 in.
The smallest traditional vertical piano.
Console
40–44 in.
A compact home upright.
Studio
44–46.5 in.
Common in homes, studios and schools.
Professional Upright
47–53 in.
Greater string length and soundboard area.
Grand Pianos
Measured by length from the front of the keyboard to the far end.
Petite / Mini
Under 4'10"
Baby Grand
4'11"–5'5"
Parlor Grand
5'6"–6'
Grand
6'–7'
Semi-Concert
7'–8'
Concert Grand
8'+
The measurement matters more than the name. Different manufacturers and dealers may use terms such as “baby grand” or “parlor grand” somewhat differently.
Inside a grand piano
What are all those parts called?
Click a label to jump to its glossary definition.
ActionThe mechanical system between your fingers and the strings.
SoundboardThe wooden diaphragm that amplifies string vibration.
Plate / HarpThe cast-iron structure supporting the tremendous tension of the strings.
BridgeTransfers string vibration to the soundboard.
HammersFelt-covered parts that strike the strings.
DampersStop strings from continuing to vibrate.
PinblockThe laminated wood structure gripping the tuning pins.
Commonly confused terms
What did the piano person just say?
A few of the distinctions that cause the most confusion.
Chord vs. CordA chord is a group of notes played together. A cord is a cable, rope or electrical lead.
Upright vs. VerticalThese are two names for the same general piano category.
Baby Grand vs. Grand“Baby grand” describes a smaller grand. It is not a different action system or instrument type.
Tuning vs. RegulationTuning adjusts pitch. Regulation adjusts the mechanical action and how it responds.
Voicing vs. TuningVoicing changes tonal character; tuning changes pitch.
Sharp vs. FlatThe black keys can be named as sharps or flats depending on the musical context.
Player vs. Silent PianoA player piano can perform automatically. A silent system lets you play privately through headphones.
Plate vs. Harp“Harp” is common casual language for the piano’s cast-iron plate.
The complete glossary
Piano ABCs from A to Z.
A
AgraffeA brass guide near the tuning pins that helps define the vibrating length and alignment of certain strings.
AliquotA metal bearing point used in some duplex-scale designs to create additional harmonic resonance.
ActionThe mechanical system that connects the movement of the keys to the hammers and strings.
B
BackcheckA leather-covered part that catches the hammer after it rebounds from the string.
Balance RailThe rail and pins around which piano keys pivot.
BridgeA wooden structure that carries string vibration into the soundboard.
C
CaseThe cabinet or exterior structure of an upright or grand piano.
Castor CupsProtective cups placed under piano wheels to help protect the floor.
ChordMultiple notes played together to create harmony. Not to be confused with a cord.
D
DamperA felt-covered part that stops a string from vibrating when a key or pedal releases it.
Dampp-Chaser / Piano Life SaverA humidity-control system designed to help stabilize moisture conditions inside or around a piano.
E
EscapementThe action mechanism that lets the hammer release before it strikes the string. Grand actions use this principle; many digital pianos simulate the feel.
F
FeltWool-based material used in hammers, dampers and many other places inside a piano.
FallboardThe cover that closes over the keyboard.
FlatA musical note lowered by a semitone. A black key may represent a flat or a sharp depending on context.
G
Grand PianoA piano with horizontal strings and a grand-style action. Grand pianos range from compact sizes to full concert instruments.
H
HammerThe felt-covered part that strikes the string to produce tone.
Harp / PlateThe cast-iron structure that supports the tension of the strings.
I
Inner RimThe inner structural rim of a grand piano, surrounding the soundboard area.
J
JackAn action part that helps drive the hammer toward the string before releasing it.
K
KeyboardThe set of black and white keys used to play the piano.
KnuckleA leather- or synthetic-covered action part involved in grand-piano repetition.
L
Let-OffThe point near the end of a keystroke where the jack releases the hammer.
Lid PropThe support used to hold open the lid of a grand piano, often at more than one height.
M
Mute RailA strip of felt that can be lowered between hammers and strings on some uprights to reduce volume.
N
NaturalA note that is neither sharp nor flat in its written context; the white keys represent natural note names.
O
Overstrung / Cross-StrungA modern piano stringing layout in which the bass strings cross over another section of strings.
P
Piano“Piano” means soft in Italian. The instrument’s historic name, pianoforte, refers to its ability to play softly and loudly.
Player PianoA piano equipped to perform automatically, historically from rolls and today commonly from digital systems.
Pneumatic LidA lid-assist system that makes a grand-piano lid easier to raise and lower.
PlateThe cast-iron structure supporting the piano’s string tension.
PinblockThe laminated wooden structure that grips the tuning pins.
PedalsFoot controls that affect sustain, tonal color or selected-note resonance depending on the piano.
Q
Quiet / Silent SystemA system that lets an acoustic piano be played through headphones while stopping the hammers from striking the strings.
R
RegulationThe process of adjusting the piano action so its mechanical parts work consistently and respond properly.
S
SharpA musical note raised by a semitone. A black key may represent a sharp or a flat depending on context.
SoundboardThe thin wooden diaphragm that amplifies vibration transferred from the strings through the bridge.
StringsSteel wire strings that vibrate to make sound; bass strings are typically steel cores wrapped with copper.
T
TuningThe process of adjusting string tension so the piano is brought to the correct pitch relationships.
U
Upright PianoA vertical piano designed with strings running upright rather than horizontally as in a grand.
V
Vertical PianoAnother term for an upright piano.
VoicingAdjusting tonal character—often through hammer work—to make the piano brighter, mellower, more even or more expressive.
W
WippenAn important action assembly that transfers motion from the key toward the hammer mechanism.
X
X-FrameA style of back-frame construction on some upright pianos that forms an X-shaped brace.
Y
YamahaA major piano manufacturer producing acoustic and digital pianos in several countries.
Z
ZZZ...We still do not have a meaningful everyday piano term for Z. You made it to the end—happy piano shopping.
More useful piano information
Once the words make sense, the choices get easier.
How to measure a piano
Measure an upright from the floor to the top of the cabinet. Measure a grand from the front edge of the keyboard to the far end of the case.
See the Size GuideQuality used pianos
A properly prepared used piano can offer excellent value. Condition, preparation, warranty and the individual instrument matter more than age alone.
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Touch, tone, size and action make more sense when you can experience them in person. Explore our inventory, read the Buyer’s Guide, or ask one of our piano specialists.
