Square pianos were built in extensive numbers through the 1840s in Europe and the 1890s in America, and saw the most visible changes of any type of piano: the celebrated iron framed over strung squares manufactured by Steinway & Sons were also than two and a divided times the size of Zumpe's woodland framed instruments from a duration before. Their overwhelming popularity was due to inexpensive construction and price, although their performance and tone were often limited by simple actions and closely spaced strings.

This is partly because the strings will be tuned closer to equal temperament in Beginner Piano Lessons similarity to the standard pitch with less "stretching" in the piano tuning (See: Piano tuning). Full-size grands are generally pre-owned for government concerts, whereas smaller grands, extrinsic by Sohmer & Co. in 1884, are often chosen for domestic use where expansion and cost are considerations.