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Piano, finally

David Reidy
Piano, finally
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  • Episode 65 - Aspirations
    Episode 65 – AspirationsWelcome back to Piano, Finally, the podcast from an old bloke learning the piano. With the showcase just a week away, I’ve doubled practice sessions—half an hour in the morning, twenty minutes in the afternoon—rotating between the Kawai NV10 and Nord Stage 4. Devi’s electric Kawai will be the instrument on the day, so I’m aiming to be ready, even if the occasional wrong note slips through.🎧 YouTube Spotlight – Paul FeyMy organ journey continues with Paul Fey’s channel. Unlike Ben Maton’s rural churches, Paul explores grand cathedrals—St Peter’s in the Vatican, the Basilica of St John Lateran, and others across Europe. His playing showcases not only the music but the instruments and buildings themselves. Paul also offers music collections on his website, and sometimes even records on a Hauptwerk virtual organ. A channel full of grandeur (and the occasional penguin).📝 Essay – AspirationsRecent podcasts have focused on structured goal setting, but for me, aspirations work better. A goal implies measurable outcomes; an aspiration simply points the way. Last year, I thought playing at the 2025 showcase might be possible—that aspiration has now become reality. Though I abandoned Rossi’s Wild Chase in favour of the “old four,” I still count it as success. Looking ahead, my aspirations include tackling a few bars of Beethoven’s Moonlight or Waldstein, playing Elton John and Billy Joel, and even writing something original. No deadlines, just direction.🎼 Review – Complete Beethoven SonatasTo keep Beethoven in sight, I bought the Bärenreiter Complete Piano Sonatas, a three-volume urtext edition from Music Junction (AU$297). They contain all 35 sonatas, including the early WoO 47 works. Sturdy, heavy, but not designed to sit flat on a stand—but inspiring to have on the shelf. Browse the full Beethoven repertoire at Music Junction.🎶 Coming UpBefore the next episode: Devi’s piano showcase, a big birthday party, and Sounds Inside at the Sydney Fringe Festival.🎼 ProgressDaily practice of the four showcase pieces: Spindler’s Canon, Türk’s Bagatelle in F, and Craggs’ Afternoon Snooze and Blackout Blues. All recorded on the Nord Stage 4 using its electric piano settings.Send me a text message.You can contact me: via email at [email protected]; 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 are 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.
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  • Episode 64 - Purpose
    🎙 Episode 64 – PurposeG’day and welcome back to Piano, Finally. This week I had something like a first public performance—playing my four showcase pieces for a junior music class I was covering. They asked, I played, and it went alright. With just two weeks until the actual showcase, I’m ramping up practice but not aiming for perfection—it’s about learning, and sharing the journey.🎧 YouTube Spotlight – Ten Keyboard Sounds EVERY Player Should HavePierre Piscitelli’s video on Ten Keyboard Sounds every player should know is a treasure. From grand and upright pianos to Rhodes, DX7s, Wurlitzers, Clavinets, B3 organs and synth pads, Pierre demonstrates each sound with real song examples and tutorials. I’ve already been matching them on the Nord—and it’s a resource I’ll be coming back to often.📝 Essay – PurposeWhat’s the purpose of education? Increasingly, governments treat it as job training, and arts programs—particularly music—are the first to be cut. Yet the benefits of music are profound: leadership, culture, creativity, and joy. Only 37% of students in Australia are taught music at school, and often by non-specialists. We need to push back. Music isn’t just about careers; it’s about happiness, history, and living a full life. Those of us who know its value must keep speaking up.🎼 Review – Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2026 SeasonSubscription renewals are out, and I’ve secured my Sunday series. Next year’s program includes Holst’s The Planets, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, Ligeti, Dvořák, Bach, and Mozart’s Symphony No. 39. There are also extras—masterclasses with Bryn Terfel and Anna Lapwood, plus Lucas and Arthur Jussen playing Poulenc. If you’re in Sydney, check out the 2026 season. It’s a wonderful way to support live music.🎶 ProgressWith the showcase looming, practice is focused entirely on the “old four”: Spindler’s Canon, Türk’s Bagatelle in F, and Andrew Craggs’ Afternoon Snooze and Blackout Blues. Devi has also given me some improvisation exercises, and while they’re not world-shattering, they’re fun and freeing. All recorded this week on the Nord Stage 4 using a mix of pianos and electric pianos from the standard library.The contents of this podcast were entirely generated by a human. These show notes, however, were created by ChatGPT.Send me a text message.You can contact me: via email at [email protected]; 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 are 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.
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  • Episode 63 - Narrow or Broad
    🎙 Episode 63 – Narrow or BroadWelcome back to Piano, Finally. Apologies for the break last week—I came down with Influenza A and even had to miss my lesson with Devi. Thankfully the antivirals worked, and I’m back at the keys (though you may still hear a touch of it in my voice).This week included some extra performances by senior students preparing for their exams—Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, and Dire Straits were all on the program. It’s a reminder of just how diverse the world of music can be.📝 Essay – Narrow or BroadWith centuries of repertoire and new music arriving daily, none of us can possibly cover it all. The real question is: do we specialise or spread ourselves broadly? Professionals often find success by narrowing their focus, as Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music demonstrated in the early music movement. But for amateurs like most of us, exploring broadly opens doors we might not otherwise try. I discovered how much fun blues could be thanks to Andrew Craggs’ Blackout Blues—a piece I never would have chosen myself. Being broad means staying open to surprises.🎹 Review – Organteq 2 by ModarttAlongside Pianoteq, Modartt also make Organteq, a modelled pipe organ instrument. Version 2 offers Baroque, Romantic, and Neo-Classical organs with incredible flexibility. Played through a subwoofer, the 32’ stops literally shake the room. Inspired by Ben Maton’s Salisbury Organist videos, I took the plunge—and it’s been both fun and inspiring. The trial version is free, so it’s worth exploring.🎶 Out West Piano FestMore details are out for the Out West Piano Fest in Bathurst this October. The program features five concerts, with soloists including Rachelle Durkin (soprano) and Harry Bennetts (violin). Expect a romantic-heavy program in a stunning regional setting.🎼 ProgressTo prepare for the September showcase, I’ve been practising on the Nord Stage 4 instead of the Kawai—closer to the Yamaha that will be used on the day. The focus has returned to my four older pieces: Spindler’s Canon, Türk’s Bagatelle in F, and Craggs’ Afternoon Snooze and Blackout Blues. Oddly enough, a short break from Blackout Blues seems to have helped—it’s sounding better than ever.Send me a text message.You can contact me: via email at [email protected]; 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 are 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.
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  • Episode 62 - Why are we playing?
    🎙 Episode 62 – Why Are We Playing?G’day and welcome back to Piano, Finally. This week included two very different performances: Circa and the Art of the Fugue at City Recital Hall, and Radio Luxembourg at The Joan in Penrith. Both highlighted the power of live music, from Bach’s intricate counterpoint to the raw energy of 1960s rock and pop.🎭 Performance ReviewsCirca and the Art of the Fugue combined the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra with contemporary circus from Circa. Historically informed Baroque met modern dance—plus some spectacular floor rolling. A unique experience worth catching in Melbourne. More infoRadio Luxembourg featured John Waters, Stewart D’Arrietta and the Chartbusters. It’s a trip through the British invasion, with music from The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Troggs and more. Great fun and beautifully played. Radio Luxembourg Live📝 Essay – Why Are We Playing? Both concerts raised a bigger question: why do we play music? The Brandenburg players acted as messengers for Bach’s intent, while the rock band communicated their personal connection to the songs. For amateurs like me, the “why” often comes down to enjoyment. We practise, persevere, and share music not for a paycheque, but for the joy of saying, this piece means something to me, and I want to share it with you.🎹 Gear Review – Adam D3V Monitor Speakers & K&M 18807 Holders Thanks to a video by DSoundman, I’ve upgraded the Nord Stage 4 setup with Adam D3V speakers mounted on K&M 18807 holders. The sound is a huge improvement, and the speakers sit right where they should—making practice far more enjoyable.🎼 Progress This week I’ve circled back to four older pieces: Spindler’s Canon, Türk’s Bagatelle in F, and Andrew Craggs’s Afternoon Snooze and Blackout Blues. All recorded on the Kawai NV10 through Pianoteq 8 on Cubase, emulating the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX grand.Send me a text message.You can contact me: via email at [email protected]; 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 are 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.
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  • Episode 61 - When are we going to use this?
    🎙 Episode 61 – When Are We Going to Use This?Welcome back to Piano, Finally, where I share the ups, downs, and sideways detours of learning piano later in life. This week’s opening note: if you contact me via Buzzsprout’s FanMail, I can’t reply—so if you’d like a conversation, please send an email to [email protected]’s Science Week here in NSW schools, and between showing science demos to preschoolers and heading out to a Bach-meets-acrobatics performance, I’ve also been keeping an eye on September’s Sydney Fringe Festival.YouTube Spotlight – Ben Maton, The Salisbury Organist The algorithm got this one right. Ben Maton’s channel features visits to rural British churches, telling their stories and playing their organs—sometimes linking the repertoire directly to the church’s history. Expect Elgar in his birthplace, Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar, and even Elvis. Ben also composes, writes for Choir & Organ magazine, and shares his broader work at benmatonmusic.co.uk.Essay – When Are We Going to Use This? In teaching (and learning music), the question often isn’t about the piece itself, but the skills learned along the way. Just as science lessons might quietly teach students how to follow instructions, beginner pieces like Amazing Grace teach note-reading, even if they’ll never be performed. The best reason to choose a piece is to develop a skill you’ll use later—something I kept in mind when selecting my latest repertoire with Devi.Review – ANZCA Modern Pianoforte Preliminary – Series 2 This companion to last week’s classical book includes pop, rock, blues, and boogie pieces. I’ve chosen Tick Tock Blues (C major, staccato/legato), Sneak (E♭ major), and Blue Sky Boogie (mezzo staccato). Slightly simpler than the classical volume, but great for building targeted skills. Book link | ANZCA shopProgress This week: Study in G (Müller), Tick Tock Blues (Hunter), and the descending scale from Riders on the Storm. Classical pieces recorded on the Kawai NV10 with Pianoteq 8; Riders on the Nord Stage 4 with My Keys To Music presets.📬 [email protected] | 🌐 pianofinally.showThe contents of this podcast were entirely generated by a human. These show notes, however, were created by ChatGPT.Send me a text message.You can contact me: via email at [email protected]; 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 are 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.
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About Piano, finally

Piano Finally is a podcast by an old bloke who is learning the piano, finally. I cover the process of learning the piano and music theory as an adult learner. I also review piano books, hardware and other materials from an adult learner's perspective.
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