I have been following the forum for some time, and first of all, I would like to thank the staff for the precious information they provide.
I have had a doubt for a long time, and since I have never managed to find satisfactory answers about it on the internet, today I finally decided to pose the question to you.
It concerns the position of the upright piano, which in homes we always find positioned against a wall. Now, seeing as the soundboard is on the back of an upright, wouldn't it be acoustically advantageous to keep the piano not near a wall, but with the soundboard facing the listeners?
Or are there other reasons why the upright is always positioned against the wall, such as occupying less space in the room, or protecting the soundboard from drafts?
Regarding the richness of the sound, it would be interesting if a corner were available. In a vertical [piano] placed in a corner, the sound would be enhanced. As far as the soundboard is concerned, you are saying something correct. In "dated" uprights, a small frame was used with a special gray or black cloth mounted on top, specifically woven so as not to impede the propagation of sound. This is no longer done modernly, but it can be easily implemented. On the other hand, I do not find it advantageous to face the back of the instrument toward the listeners. However, in some cases, in the presence of other instruments, it can be advantageous to open the front vertical panel or only the small lid at the highest part of the piano to obtain a fuller sound. (for example, in the case of a Jazz ensemble performing)
I often open the vertical lid, Paolo, and I find a truly wonderful surprise of sound. The felts on the strings can be heard very well, how to say... a more true and timbral sound.
