What comes to mind when you hear the word piano?

When most people think of pianos, they imagine two classic types: the upright and the grand. What if I told you the world of pianos is far more diverse – and in some cases, downright surprising?

From compact hybrids to digital marvels and even pianos designed for the outdoors, there’s a whole category of instruments that go beyond what you’d expect.

Whether you’re a curious beginner, a seasoned pianist, or just someone who thought there were only “two kinds,” this list might just change the way you think about the piano entirely.

Let’s dive into the types of pianos you probably didn’t even know existed – and why they’re worth knowing about.

The “Floating Piano”

Imagine walking into a room and seeing a piano where the only thing attached to the ground is the stool!

The Floating Fazioli, is an extraordinary piano designed by the engineer and pianist, Paolo Fazioli, the founder of Fazioli Pianos.

Fazioli blended his technical expertise with his passion for music, creating remarkable instrumental pieces that push the boundaries of normality.

One would think a floating piano is held up by strings, yet The Floating Fazioli’s entire structure is supported and anchored by the wall.

How’s that for engineering? Even the pedals don’t touch the ground!

Fazioli is a person of remarkable intellect, taking a simple piano design and transforming it into a piece of art.

Some of the most expensive pianos ever are created by the Fazioli Piano company.

Fazioli’s “Floating Piano” is only one of his many brilliant inventions.

Pianist magazine, the ultimate resource for anyone who loves playing piano, published an article about some of Fazioli’s most extravagant pianos which is definitely worth reading. Read the article here: https://www.pianistmagazine.com.

The “Silent Piano”

Many pianists find playing on a digital keyboard unsatisfying because of the differences in key touch and responsiveness compared to an acoustic piano.

On the other hand, others struggle with the limitations caused by the volume and noise produced by traditional acoustic pianos, which can restrict practice times or environments.

Imagine, then, a piano designed to replicate the authentic feel and appearance of a classic acoustic instrument, yet equipped with the capability to adjust or mute its volume at will.

This concept is precisely embodied by what is known today as the Silent Piano.

Just like a regular acoustic piano, the Silent Piano also has the same internal structure – but prevents the hammers from striking the strings and instead uses censors to capture your keystrokes.

It then triggers a digital sound that allows it to be heard through headphones.

This type of piano is ideal for those who desire the authentic look and feel of a traditional acoustic instrument, yet live in close quarters or have sound-sensitive neighbours.

Yamaha was the first company to develop and produce these types of pianos in 1993, offering consumers their very own Silent Piano.

Find out more about YAMAHA’s Silent Piano here: https://europe.yamaha.com

The “Player Piano”

Known for its remarkable ability to play on its own, the Player Piano is as if a ghost possessed the instrument.

The self-playing piano uses a complex mechanism to play music automatically, allowing one to enjoy the music without actually pressing down a key.

Although many had the same idea of creating a piano playing by itself, it was Edwin S. Votey who was the first person to successfully commercialise and popularise the instrument, which is also referred to as the Pianola.

Self-playing pianos, while more familiar to the public than some of the more obscure piano types, often don’t receive the recognition they truly deserve.

These fascinating instruments offer a unique dual functionality – they can be played manually like any traditional piano, but they also have the remarkable ability to play music on their own.

This makes them perfect not only for pianists who want to enjoy hands-on playing, but also for those who simply want to sit back and listen as the piano performs pieces automatically.

The “Toy Piano”

Also known as the kinderklavier, the Toy Piano is a miniature, piano-like instrument often used by children.

Its external design closely mirrors that of a traditional piano, offering the same timeless aesthetic appeal – but operates differently.

Instead of strings, the Toy Piano uses metal rods.

The hammers inside the instrument strike the metal rods, causing them to vibrate and create a bell-like sound.

Toy Piano’s typically have between 8 to 37 keys as opposed to the standard 88 keys on regular pianos.

According to immigrantentrepreneurship.org, it was first created in the late 1800s by Albert Schoenhut – a German-American toymaker.

The instrument was originally made for children, hence the name, yet gained attraction to such an extent that some models are used professionally and even considered collectible.

John Cage, an American composer and music theorist, composed a whimsical and charming piece exclusively for the instrument called Suite for Toy Piano.

Click this link to find out how a toy piano typically sounds: Mozart – Rondo Alla Turca (Turkish March) Medley on Toy Piano

Conclusion

Reading about these fascinating and unexpected types of pianos might not have been on your radar before – but they’ve definitely made it onto mine.

It’s incredible to realize that only a handful of these quirky, inventive, and downright brilliant piano variations are covered here, and yet they already hint at how wildly creative the piano world can be.

So, the next time you find yourself thinking about pianos, your mind will likely go far beyond the usual grand or upright models.

From silent pianos and toy-sized marvels to digital hybrids and see-through showpieces, it turns out the world of pianos is far more diverse than most people ever imagined.

And now? You’ve got a pocketful of intriguing piano facts to impress fellow musicians, or to break the ice in small talk with something way more interesting than the weather.