Balancing big dreams with real progress—this week, I talk about the challenge of picking a new piece to learn. Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata? Maybe not yet, but setting ambitious goals keeps the journey exciting! 🚀I’m also diving into Blackout Blues by Andrew Craggs—my first swing rhythm piece! Plus, I review Newzik, a game-changing tool for digital sheet music 📱🎼.Check out the full episode now! 🎧✨IntroductionWelcome to Episode 36 of Piano, Finally, the podcast about learning the piano as an adult. In this episode, David talks about balancing vision and reality in piano learning, a new piece he’s working on, and a useful tool for organizing sheet music.YouTube Recommendation – Pierre PiscitelliThis week’s featured YouTube channel is run by Pierre Piscitelli, a pianist, educator, and arranger from New York City. His channel includes a mix of educational content and piano tutorials with clear and engaging instruction. He offers arrangements in different levels, making it a great resource for pianists of all skill levels. Check out his channel: Pierre Piscitelli YouTube Channel.Essay – Vision and RealityChoosing a new piece to learn can be a challenge, especially when balancing aspirations with current abilities. David reflects on the dream of playing Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata (Op. 53) while recognizing the reality of his current level. He explores how setting ambitious yet achievable goals can help maintain motivation. You can find the Waldstein Sonata sheet music here: IMSLP – Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 21.New Piece – Blackout BluesDavid has started learning Blackout Blues by Andrew Craggs. The piece introduces swing rhythms, marking a new challenge in his learning journey. He shares his experience with tackling difficult sections and focusing on rhythm and dynamics.Tool Review – NewzikLooking for an efficient way to organize sheet music and make annotations? David reviews Newzik, a digital sheet music viewer for iOS devices. It offers features like cloud syncing, PDF annotation, and even page-turning via facial gestures or a pedal. It’s a great tool for digital sheet music management. Find out more: Newzik Official Website.Progress UpdateThis week’s practice includes Afternoon Snooze by Andrew Craggs and the first steps of Blackout Blues. David shares insights into articulation, dynamics, and mastering tricky rhythmic phrases. The recordings were made using a Kawai NV10 with Pianoteq 8 modeling a C. Bechstein DG piano.Send me a text message.You can contact me: via email at
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