The structure of grand pianos allows the pianist flexible control over the volume. The dynamic range of the grand piano makes it a magnificent instrument. But just how loud can a grand piano get and what are the effects of its volume?
Read on to find out!
How Loud Is A Grand Piano?
Grand pianos, especially the ones used in concert halls, can go very loud. This happens because grand pianos are built to resonate their sound as much as possible.
A prospective buyer of a baby grand piano had some thoughts on the loud volume of grand pianos:
“With the lid up to the top setting this s****r really puts out the volume. I must admit I was not prepared for the volume level that the real deal generates. Over the past number of years I have been playing digital pianos with ordinary home stereo type of speakers at a near field distance from my ears and at a volume level that just “seemed right”. WOW. I didn’t happen to have a sound pressure meter with me…, but the volume level that a grand piano generates must be dangerously close to too loud.”
[Source: Piano World]
There are a few factors that affect how loud grand pianos can sound:
- Room size – Large rooms or concert halls where there is a lot of space for sound to bounce around are perfect for grand pianos. Playing one in a small room can likely damage ears in the long run.
- Type of grand piano – The volume produced by baby grands is highly different to concert grand pianos.
- Floor material – Sound bounces off tile floors but carpeted floors will absorb sound and decrease the effects of volume on the ears.
- Open lid/closed – A closed lid decreases the volume on grand pianos, but when the lid is opened the sound can travel around the room without the lid absorbing it.
Is A Grand Piano Louder Than An Upright Piano?
Yes, a grand piano is louder than an upright piano. This happens for three reasons according to Yamaha MusicUSA:
- Grand pianos have longer strings and larger soundboards
- Grand pianos have greater dynamic range (how loud or how soft) than uprights
- Sound from grand pianos resonate upwards while uprights emit sound from the back, in most cases, uprights will have their back against a wall which limits the produced volume.
Do Grand Pianos Need Microphones?
When playing at home or in a private studio there is no need for microphones as grand pianos are pretty loud on their own. It’s a different story during live concerts or recording sessions that use a grand piano.
Do You Need To Wear Hearing Protection When Playing A Grand Piano?
Grand pianos can get really loud which is why it is not advisable to place them in small rooms. Concert grands can reach up to 110 decibels if the pianist is playing at fortissimo. However, fortissimo is not the only dynamic found in music pieces.
Pianists suggest the following solutions to avoid hearing damage:
- Acoustic panels
“My practice room is well treated with acoustic panels and such, as I hate small-room acoustics and prefer it somewhat dead.”
[Source: Piano Street]
- Musician’s earplugs
“[sic] just pick up an inexpensive set of [sic] musicians earplugs. They have little tubes in them that you can still hear through but the damaging effect is supposedly drastically lowered. I have tinnitus as well and a significant hearing loss… They are available at music shops and even at Amazon”
[Source: Piano Street]
It is important to note that hearing protectors can have varying effects on the volume:
“The problem which I have run into with hearing protectors — ear muffs or ear plugs, either kind — is that they not only reduce the volume (most by between 15 and 25 db; some less) — they also reduce the volume very differently at different frequencies; … — anything much over the A an octave and a half above middle C pretty well vanishes — both as this is where the worst of the noise which they are intended to suppress is found”
[Source: Piano Street]
- Keep the lid closed
“You can keep the lid closed to reduce loudness. I have a baby-grand and with the lid up (about 45 degrees; it looks like a piano), it sounds like the house is shaking when played ff”
[Source: Music Stack Exchange]
- Carpets or rugs
“If the piano is on hardwood, be sure to place it on a thick rug. Or two”
[Source: Music Stack Exchange]
- Tune your pianos
“MOST IMPORTANT: piano tuners can pretty easily adjust the level of the hammers to control the touch of the keys. A shorter distance between the hammers and strings will inhibit the ability to play as loudly”
[Source: Music Stack Exchange]
Do The Pedals On A Grand Piano Alter How Loud It Is?
Grand pianos have three pedals: the damper pedal, the sostenuto pedal, and the una corda pedal. Of the three, the una corda pedal affects volume. When pressing this pedal:
- The hammers only hit two strings instead of three because entire keyboard and action mechanism is shifted to the right.
- A different, softer part of the hammer head strikes the strings because of the action shifting.
All these can alter the volume of the grand piano, resulting in a softer sound.
