Piano, finally

Episode 86 - The Entertainer

G'day everyone. Welcome to show number eighty-six. If you're a regular listener, thanks for your support, and if you're new here, I hope you enjoy the show.This week, things have taken a vocal turn. Following my enjoyment of the Belong choir, I've signed up for another community choir—one that didn't require an audition! I've found myself in the bass section, managing up to middle C for now. It's proving to be great fun and an unexpected detour on my musical journey.YouTube - Stefan Wyatt - How to play ornaments on the piano Ornaments seem to be in the air lately. Stefan Wyatt recently posted a video on his "Piano Tips" channel that is distinct from Matthew Cawood's recent coverage. Stefan’s approach is practical, based on his beginner's course, and offers clear explanations of grace notes (appoggiaturas vs.acciaccaturas), mordents, turns, and trills. He also clarifies a point about accidentals and trills that was new to me. It is a great introduction for beginner and intermediate players.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxXgEUE5xm0Essay - The Entertainer My new choir is rehearsing for a full concert in July. While listening to practice tracks for "Pink Pony Club" by Chappell Roan, I fell down a YouTube rabbit hole of cover versions.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR3Liudev18Despite the lack of financial incentive in covering songs, people do it for the sheer joy of performing and sharing. This reinforces my belief that live performance has nothing to fear from AI. Whether it’s 120 people in a choir entertaining each other or a solo pianist, the goal is to be the entertainer. That desire to share our love of music is what gets us through the endless Czerny exercises and scales.Review - Sydney Theatre Company - The Normal Heart Theatre is back for 2026! I caught Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart" at the Sydney Theatre Company. Set in mid-1980s New York, this production in the Drama Theatre was excellent. It featured live musicians on stage—Michael Griffiths on piano and Rowena McNeish on cello—which was a lovely touch. It is an important story and a great production well worth seeing.https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/whats-on/productions/2026/the-normal-heartClosing Things are settling into a rhythm with lessons and rehearsals. If you are learning an instrument, I'd love to hear how you are managing your time and what pieces you are enjoying.You can contact me at david@pianofinally.show or visit the website at www.pianofinally.show.Until next week, I hope your piano stays in tune, and you enjoy your time at the keys.The contents of this podcast were entirely generated by David Reidy. These show notes were created by GeminiSend me a text message.You can contact me: via email at david@pianofinally.show; this is probably the best option the show website, www.pianofinally.show Instagram and Threads @pianofinally and on YouTube all the podcast directories - list here's the RSS feed Some of the links to books and other items mentioned in the podcast may affiliate links for Amazon or other providers. If you use one of these links, a commission may be paid to me at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use a link. All reviews of products, websites and services are unpaid, and no sponsorship has been received for any content on this podcast.

Episode 85 - Year Two

G'day, everyone! Welcome to show number eighty-five. It was in January 2024 that I finally picked up a keyboard to start learning the piano. That means I've officially passed the two-year mark! I’m not organised enough to know the exact date,but looking back, deciding to learn the piano after sixty was undoubtedly a great decision.Podcast Review: The Music Show I recently rediscovered "The Music Show" on ABC Radio National, hosted by Dr Andrew Ford. I was reminded of it after hearing Andrew on another podcast discussing Stravinsky’s "The Rite of Spring." "The Music Show" is a fantastic program that covers every conceivable genre. Recent episodes have featured guests ranging from Neil and Tim Finn of "Split Enz" to Ursula Yovich singing Nina Simone, and topics like the role of the bazouki in Irish Folk Music. Andrew’s relaxed and informed style makes it a permanent part of my listening rotation.https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/musicshowEssay: Year Two Reflecting on two years of learning, I realised that while my technical progress is roughly where I expected—moving into Grade One pieces and passing theory exams—the real value has been the experiences along the way. Deciding to learn the piano has opened doors I didn't anticipate. It led to a subscription to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, attending jazz concerts with my teacher Devi, and even singing in front of a thousand people with the Belong choir. For Year Three, I’m planning more theatre, more concerts, and perhaps joining a choir permanently.Review: David Bennett's new channel Just as I was finalising this week's show, I saw that David Bennett has launched a new interview channel and podcast called "How do you do?". He speaks with other creators, and given the quality of his existing work, this is definitely worth checking out.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVDanqrFSHgX-hlqFs4AZ7wProgress In my lessons with Devi, we are shifting focus slightly towards modern and pop music. I’ve started working on a chord progression in A minor, practicing smooth transitions between root position chords. It’s a new challenge,especially the sevenths in the left hand! I’m also continuing with "Sea Song" and the "Moonlight" Sonata.The music was recorded using the Kawai NV10, Cubase 15 on a Mac Mini, and Pianoteq 9 emulating a Shigeru Kawai SK-EX grand piano.If you'd like to get in touch, email me at david@pianofinally.show.The contents of the podcast were entirely generated by David Reidy, but these show notes were created by Gemini.Send me a text message.You can contact me: via email at david@pianofinally.show; this is probably the best option the show website, www.pianofinally.show Instagram and Threads @pianofinally and on YouTube all the podcast directories - list here's the RSS feed Some of the links to books and other items mentioned in the podcast may affiliate links for Amazon or other providers. If you use one of these links, a commission may be paid to me at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use a link. All reviews of products, websites and services are unpaid, and no sponsorship has been received for any content on this podcast.

Episode 84 - Say “Yes"

G'day, everyone! Welcome to show number eighty-four. The holidays are officially over, and we are back into the swing of things at school. It’s been a busy week of planning and welcoming new classes, but it's always nice to have a fresh start.Follow-up: Amazon Returns Last week, I mentioned receiving some dubious print-on-demand music books from Amazon. I’m happy to report that the return process was incredibly simple, and the refund was processed almost immediately. I still haven't found the proper copyright owners to notify them, but I’ll keep looking.YouTube Review: The story of Vigil: Belong This week’s video recommendation is a special one because, if you squint, you might just spot me! The Sydney Festival has released a video about the Vigil: Belong performance. It features interviews with Nardi Simpson and clips from the rehearsals and the performance itself. It’s a beautiful summary of the event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjp-LNCHDKQEssay: Say "Yes" Reflecting on my recent experience with the Belong Choir, I realised that none of it would have happened if I hadn't simply said "Yes." As we get older, it's easy to stick to the comfortable and predictable, but opportunities for growth and fun usually lie just outside that comfort zone. From filling out an expression of interest form on a whim to singing in front of a thousand people, saying "Yes" has been the best strategy for 2026 so far. Review: Megalong Music Festival I received an email about the upcoming Megalong Music Festival, held in the picturesque Megalong Valley in the Blue Mountains. I attended last year, and it was fantastic. This year's program for Easter Saturday and Sunday looks incredibly varied, featuring music from Hayden to Pärt. With performers like Jacqui Cronin, Timothy Nankervis, and Ieva Jokubaviciute, it’s definitely worth the drive. https://www.megalongmusicfestival.com.au/Progress Piano lessons resume this week! Over the break, practice was a bit sparse, but I’ve been enjoying "Sea Song," which has just the right amount of complexity. I’m also making decent headway with the "Moonlight" Sonata. "Trumpet Tune" and "A Wild Chase" are still in the works, and I'll update you on those when I've made more progress. If you'd like to get in touch, email me at david@pianofinally.show.The contents of the podcast were entirely generated by David Reidy, but these show notes were created by Gemini.Send me a text message.You can contact me: via email at david@pianofinally.show; this is probably the best option the show website, www.pianofinally.show Instagram and Threads @pianofinally and on YouTube all the podcast directories - list here's the RSS feed Some of the links to books and other items mentioned in the podcast may affiliate links for Amazon or other providers. If you use one of these links, a commission may be paid to me at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use a link. All reviews of products, websites and services are unpaid, and no sponsorship has been received for any content on this podcast.

Episode 83 - Who’s Listening

G'day, everyone! Welcome to show number eighty-three. I’m writing this week's show from a slightly different location:under the shade of a Eucalypt tree at the Stargazer Lawn in Barangaroo. It is the day of the dress rehearsal for the Belong Choir's performance at the Sydney Festival Vigil. The atmosphere is buzzing with activity as chairs are set up and the area is taped off. It’s been a busy weekend, but a privilege to be part of such a special event.YouTube Review: Three Elton John Songs for Beginners Coincidentally, just as I decided to look into learning some Billy Joel and Elton John music, a video popped up from the London School of Contemporary Piano featuring Tom Donald. Tom breaks down "Your Song," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," and "Sacrifice" as a way to teach chords. He moves from simple root position chords to more complex progressions and arpeggiation. It’s a great resource if you want to understand the structure behind these iconic tracks.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPm05-5KBz0Essay: Who's listening? Inspired by a video from David Bennett, I’ve been thinking about Artificial Intelligence in music. While AI might inevitably take over "unimportant" music—like the hold music I used to license for my scuba shop—I believe there will always be a place for "important" music where listeners crave a human connection. We want to know the stories behind the songs, whether it’s Taylor Swift’s romances or Mozart’s final days.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrcUJI197VsReview: Billy Joel and Elton John sheet music I recently purchased two sheet music collections from Amazon to expand my repertoire. Unfortunately, upon arrival, I discovered they were print-on-demand books manufactured by Amazon with absolutely no publisher details or copyright acknowledgements. I don't believe people should profit from the work of others without proper compensation, so I’m sending them back. A warning to be careful when buying music online!Progress Practice has been a bit spotty this week due to holiday tasks like writing school programs and tidying the house."Sea Song" is coming along bit-by-bit. regarding "A Wild Chase," I’ve made an executive decision to ignore the "As fast as you can" instruction. I’m going to play it at a speed where the notes actually sound musical rather than just noise. Work also continues on "Trumpet Tune" and memorising the chord progressions for the "Moonlight" Sonata.If you'd like to get in touch, you can contact me at david@pianofinally.show.The contents of the podcast were entirely generated by David Reidy, but these show notes were created by Gemini.Send me a text message.You can contact me: via email at david@pianofinally.show; this is probably the best option the show website, www.pianofinally.show Instagram and Threads @pianofinally and on YouTube all the podcast directories - list here's the RSS feed Some of the links to books and other items mentioned in the podcast may affiliate links for Amazon or other providers. If you use one of these links, a commission may be paid to me at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use a link. All reviews of products, websites and services are unpaid, and no sponsorship has been received for any content on this podcast.

Episode 82 - The “T” Word

G'day, everyone! Welcome to show number eighty-two. I’ve just returned from a week in Queensland visiting family, though it meant very little piano practice happened. It’s been great working in the Belong Choir with Nardi Simpson, a Yuwaalaraay storyteller and composer, who makes the rehearsals inclusive and fun.Podcast Recommendation: No one saw it coming I’m a big fan of history podcasts, and this week I recommend Marc Fennell’s "No one saw it coming." Specifically, the episode "The ballet that caused a riot and changed music," which dives into Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Marc and Andrew Ford explore the music, the riots (real or exaggerated), and how Disney’s Fantasia eventually cemented Stravinsky’s fame.https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/no-one-saw-it-coming/the-rite-of-spring/105872884?utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_sharedhttps://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/no-one-saw-it-comingEssay: The "T" Word There is a word I try to avoid: Talent. While often meant as a compliment, attributing success to "talent" discounts the hundreds of hours of effort and commitment a musician puts in. Whether it’s a child prodigy or Rachmaninov, what we see is the result of hard work, not just a genetic lottery. Let’s replace the "T" word with “Effort".Review: Grand Solos for Christmas, Book 3 I decided it’s time to add some seasonal music to my repertoire—and starting in January gives me plenty of time! I picked up Melody Bober’s Grand Solos for Christmas, Book 3. Rated for "Late Elementary," these arrangements are approachable (keys of F, C, G, D) but musical enough to sound great at a family gathering.https://www.alfred.com/authors/melody-bober/https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1470617307?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_titleProgress Since I was away, I didn't practice. Instead of rusty playing, I’m sharing professional performances of the pieces I’m currently learning:"A Wild Chase" performed by Roderick MacFarlane https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2XtjcjQyqA"Trumpet Tune" performed by Piano with Beth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpqGF7J8aLc"Sea Song" performed by Alan Chan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DykqLkbUAGM"Moonlight Sonata" performed by DanieSend me a text message.You can contact me: via email at david@pianofinally.show; this is probably the best option the show website, www.pianofinally.show Instagram and Threads @pianofinally and on YouTube all the podcast directories - list here's the RSS feed Some of the links to books and other items mentioned in the podcast may affiliate links for Amazon or other providers. If you use one of these links, a commission may be paid to me at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use a link. All reviews of products, websites and services are unpaid, and no sponsorship has been received for any content on this podcast.