Concert grand pianos are the largest of pianos. Generally around 9 feet in length, concert grands have the most powerful and best tone. This is the result of the larger soundboard and longer strings. The longer the strings, the less inharmonicity of the overtones inherent in the note made by the string.

Concert grands take up a lot of floor space, and are generally for concert halls and auditoriums, though some people do have them in their homes. Their size makes them difficult to move, and should be moved by professional piano movers.

Generally speaking, piano manufactures put their best efforts into their largest grands, using the best materials and workmanship. Because of these factors and their size, concert grands tend to be the most expensive pianos to purchase, some more than $100,000 bought new.

Parlor grands are the mid-sized grands, and some of the larger of these, usually about 7 feet in length or more, are used for concerts and recording. These also have excellent tone, though the bass may not be as robust as on a concert grand.

Parlor grands are often found in the homes of pianists looking for the best tone vs. size. Though smaller than concert grands, parlor grands can also be difficult to move, and should be moved by professionals.

There are more parlor grands from which to choose, made by many manufacturers around the world. The prices for new parlor grands can vary widely due to the quality of workmanship and materials. Some of the best name manufacturers give you the best value. New parlor grands can range from $12,000 to $70,000+. If you are looking for used parlor grand, consider dealing with a professional piano re-builder, which may give you the best value.

Baby grands are the smallest of the horizontal pianos manufactured today. Generally, baby grands are less than 6 feet in length, though there is no fixed definition regarding the name "baby" and the piano length.

Baby grands are often the choice for people looking for a grand piano action, but have limited floor space available. On the other hand, other people purchase baby grands for their aesthetic value as furniture, to add "class" to their living room. There are models designed to meet the needs of both of these markets.

The smaller the baby grand, the less quality "tone" produced by the shorter strings and smaller soundboard. For some, a quality upright may be a better choice in the price vs. sound quality trade-off.

New baby grands vary widely in quality and price, ranging from around $10,000 (or less) to more than $30,000. Used baby grands can be found for less than $1000 to more than $25,000. If you are buying your first piano, it is wise to consult with a piano professional (piano teacher, tuner) before purchasing.

The square grand had its heyday during the 19th century, but they fell from favor buy the end of the 1890's. The square grand had short strings, a small sound board, and some had a smaller octave range than the upright pianos that made the square grand obsolete.

There are still many square grands in existence. Not generally favored by serious pianists, the square grand is now a furniture "conversation piece." Some exhibit excellent workmanship, and can be quite intriguing to look at. Square grands can often be found in antique shops, some in disrepair. From a musical instrument standpoint, a square grand may not be a worthwhile investment or a good candidate for rebuilding.