The Advantage of Acoustics

Why the piano you practice on matters more than you think

As a piano teacher with decades of experience, Anna Avetisyan has worked with students of all ages and skill levels. She has seen firsthand how a student's relationship with their instrument can either support or hinder their musical development.

Anna joined us at our Newton showroom for a conversation about her approach to teaching and the importance of a quality instrument. Her perspective is deeply shaped by a life immersed in music. She grew up in Yerevan, Armenia, where her home was filled with the sounds of rehearsals and recordings. Her father was a cellist and chamber music professor, and her mother was a violinist with the state philharmonic. From an early age, music was not something she sought out; it was simply part of everyday life.

"The better your tool, the better your skill," she told us. For Anna, choosing an acoustic piano over a digital one is not just about tradition or aesthetics. It is about laying a strong foundation for a rewarding musical journey.

It Starts with Sound and Touch

According to Anna, the learning process begins the moment a student first touches the keys.

This moment of cause and effect, of creating a sound through a physical gesture, is essential. Anna explained that even at the very beginning, students are not just pressing buttons. They are learning how sound is produced, how it responds to their body, and how to shape it with intention.

That tactile feedback is central to learning to play expressively. It is something that digital pianos cannot truly replicate.

Beyond the Basics: Technique and Tone

For intermediate and advanced students, Anna said, a high-quality acoustic instrument becomes even more important.

“At that stage, they're building technique... because the technique is a response of the keys to your fingers, and your fingers' ability to control the keyboard.”

An acoustic piano provides the necessary resistance, nuance, and responsiveness to develop control over phrasing, dynamics, and tone. “The better the piano, the more connection in that feeling, the dexterity, the velocity,” she said. “It elevates you. Makes you a better player.”

A Very Personal Comparison

Anna speaks from experience, not only as a teacher but also as a pianist. After a move, she was forced to give up her grand piano temporarily and spent several months practicing for a concert on a digital keyboard. The result was surprising.

“Two, three weeks into it, my hands started bothering me. I felt tightness, I felt discomfort. I was frustrated with the touch control, sound control.”

She did everything she could to prevent injury, including watching her posture, limiting practice hours, and staying hydrated, but still found herself unable to play comfortably. When she finally returned to an acoustic instrument, it took her weeks to feel fully back in control.

“I discovered even more issues with it, because it doesn't just respond the same way and it's not the same thing.”

Students Feel the Difference Too

Over the years, Anna noticed a pattern. Students who practiced exclusively on digital pianos were often at a disadvantage when it came time to perform on an acoustic piano.

“They were always frustrated with their ability to control,” she said. “They would say, ‘I can't get enough dynamic range.’”

Many commented that even though acoustic pianos felt heavier, they were easier to play. One of Anna’s high school students once said, “It’s heavier, but it works better.” Anna explained that this is because the key responds the right way. It is designed to respond to your finger.

When Students Switch

Anna has seen the transformation that happens when students switch from digital to acoustic. The benefits are not just technical. They are emotional too.

“They like how much they can control the sound quality, the dynamics. They get a lot more interest, a lot more motivation. Spend more time at the piano.”

She said the shift is so profound that she now only accepts students who have access to an acoustic piano. “I know it sounds very uptight, but it’s not because of that. It’s because that is the field that allows you the most results. The most productive learning.”

Supporting the Transition

For students who have spent years on digital instruments, the adjustment can take time. Anna takes special care to reintroduce them to the feel of real piano keys.

“I make them sit at the piano and put their hands and completely relax the shoulders and just press the keys and feel how the fingers sink in (to the keys)... it's almost like a yoga exercise.”

She also recommends shorter repetitions, breaks to stretch, and drinking lots of water to avoid overusing muscles during the transition. But the result, she said, is always worth it.

“It’s an improvement. It’s going into a better gear. Like going from a lousy old car to a Ferrari. You just need to learn to drive it.”

Final Thoughts

At every level of playing, from beginner to concert-ready, Anna believes the choice of instrument matters deeply.

“Having a good instrument is vital for learning,” she said. “It doesn't have to be a Steinway, but it has to be an acoustic piano, for sure.”

Whether you are just beginning your musical journey or preparing for your next performance, the right piano can open new doors. As Anna puts it, “That connection is essential. And if you have a good instrument, that connection is that much stronger.”