[lucas_codes]

Love the idea and the design - but if the hammer isn't mechanically coupled to the keys, it's hard to imagine it will have proper control and feedback from the touch.

I'm sure the designer is fully aware of this, so it's probably intended for it's niche

[rjvs]

If the hammer isn't mechanically coupled to the keys he could also have addressed functionality such as the width of the keys instead of just aesthetics. The standard size piano keyboard is too wide for most female hands and many men to play advanced pieces comfortably (or at all).

[pdonis]

> if the hammer isn't mechanically coupled to the keys, it's hard to imagine it will have proper control and feedback from the touch

Electronic keyboards have weighted keys and similar tactile feedback to regular acoustic pianos, so this is a solved problem.

[lucas_codes]

This is such an HN comment ;)

Sibling comments are correct that weighted keys, graded hammer action, etc are all much better than a plastic level but still don't have a proper sense of touch that is linked directly to the sound.

It's not even a matter of training with a particular touch and being used to it - the link between the body and the sound is incredibly important and mechanical means of making the link are still far superior.

[CoolestBeans]

Man there are digital pianos that have an entire keyboard and hammer assembly right out of a acoustic piano but the hammers strike a force sensor instead of strings. Definitely more on the ridiculous side of things but the fact there's a market for it means people do really care for the authentic tactile feeling of a piano especially if that's what they've trained on for decades.

[o11c]

Electronic keyboards are advertised as if they have tactile feedback.

In reality, it's a very hard problem and we shouldn't be surprised that consumer-grade ones don't even get close. (of course, this advertisement isn't really for consumer grade ...)