Piano, finally

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-coming
Essay: 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_title
Progress 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 Danie
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
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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.

Welcome to show eighty-one! It's scorching here—hitting 43°C—and I'm busy prepping for the new school year. I’m recording early this week as I’m heading to Queensland to assemble a 3D printer for the grandkids!
YouTube Review: Matthew Cawood - 30 Piano Techniques Matthew Cawood's video "30 Piano Techniques Explained in 15 Minutes" is excellent revision. He covers everything from basic articulation to ornaments and bass patterns like the Alberti bass. I even found a few new ones, like "octave legato." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH8BxXAHnWs
Essay: Play What You Like Inspired by a David Snyder short, I discuss why adult learners should prioritize music they enjoy over strict syllabuses. Whether it’s "Blackout Blues" or an ambitious "Moonlight Sonata," playing music that motivates you is key.https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jSMyRu7ujo0
Review: Businesses I conclude my channel reviews with these businesses creating great content:
Merriam Pianos: Stu Harrison produces top-tier, unbiased comparison videos.https://www.youtube.com/@MerriamPianos
Living Pianos Videos: Robert Estrin shares engaging stories and tips from a life in music.https://www.youtube.com/@LivingPianosVideos
Andertons Synths: Jack Duxbury brings high energy to reviews and blindfold "shootouts." https://www.youtube.com/@AndertonsKeyboardDept
Bonner's Pianos: Tony offers performance-heavy reviews, great for hearing the instruments.https://www.youtube.com/@bonnersmusic
Alamo Music: Ted Barsalou offers unique insights and interviews with other musicians.https://www.youtube.com/@apianogallery
Progress "A Wild Chase" is becoming more consistent, though I need to speed up the middle. "Trumpet Tune" is improving with a focus on articulation. "Sea Song" is slow going with its complex rhythm, and "Moonlight Sonata" is on hold until I return from my trip.
Contact me at [email protected].
The contents of this podcast were entirely generated by me, David Reidy, but these show notes were created by Gemini.
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 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.

G'day everyone! Welcome to show number eighty. It's the new year, and despite a rocky start with unseasonably cold morning swims, everything is going well here. I've been busy tidying up the house, potentially making room for a new keyboard once the driveway is sorted!
Podcast Update: The Rest is History I need to make a quick correction to last week’s episode. The new musical episodes of The Rest is History, covering Tchaikovsky and Wagner live from the Royal Albert Hall, are available now. They are excellent listens, exploring the lives, scandals, and music of these giants—even if, like me, you aren't Wagner's biggest fan.
Essay: Not planning, not failing As we head into the new year, I discuss why I have no intention of making a strict plan for my piano playing. For adult learners, "failing to plan" isn't planning to fail; it's simply giving ourselves permission to take detours and have fun. My only goal is to enjoy the process, whether that means sticking to the syllabus or getting distracted by Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.
Review: YouTube Keyboardists Continuing my review of YouTube channels, this week I look at the keyboard players I follow for inspiration and education:
My Keys to Music: Run by Marc Larochelle, this is a must for Nord keyboard owners, covering everything from sound emulation to in-depth setups.https://www.youtube.com/@MyKeysToMusic
DSoundman: Douglas, a worship leader, reviews and demonstrates a huge range of keyboards beyond just the piano, including Nord, Yamaha, and Arturia.https://www.youtube.com/@DSoundman
The Salisbury Organist: Ben Maton travels the UK playing organs in quaint village churches. It’s part travelogue, part performance, and completely unique.https://www.youtube.com/@SalisburyOrganist
Paul Fey: Similar to Ben but focusing on the grander sounds of cathedral organs. Paul often includes technical details and history in his videos.https://www.youtube.com/@PaulFey
Progress, I'm continuing my experiment of recording my entire practice session to beat the "performance effect," and it seems to be working! A Wild Chase is improving, and I'm slowing down the Trumpet Tune to get the articulations right. I've also started a lovely new piece, Sea Song by Australian composer Christopher Healey—chosen via the rigorous method of "it was on the right-hand page!"
If you'd like to share your own piano journey on the show, drop me an email at [email protected].
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 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 78 - A Series of Fortunate Events
G'day everyone! Welcome to show number seventy-eight. The holidays have finally started! School has finished for the year, and while I have some work to do on a new Physics program for 2027, there is plenty of time to get it done. Devi and I have chosen some new pieces to keep me busy over the break, and I'm looking forward to increasing my daily practice.
YouTube - Guy Michelmore - Want to Write a Better Tune? This week I look at a video by Guy Michelmore. Guy is a composer of film and television music with a very relatable presentation style—mostly because he leaves his mistakes in! In this video, he writes a simple piece of music using Cubase, explaining his thought process on chord progressions and melody. It is a fascinating look at how a piece of music comes together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJJFlAEBwYI
Essay - A Series of Fortunate Events I discuss why subscribing to a concert series, like the Sydney Symphony Orchestra's Sunday Afternoon series, is a wise investment for an adult learner. Beyond the financial discount, committing to a series helps you block out time for music in a busy calendar. It exposes you to new repertoire—this year I discovered Scriabin—and it's a great way to support live music and young performers.
Review - AMEB Piano Series 19 Grade 2 Following last week's look at Grade One, I review the new AMEB Series 19 Grade 2 book. The jump in difficulty is noticeable; pieces are longer (often two pages) and much denser with notes. The selection is diverse, featuring works from Wilhelm Friedemann Bach to contemporary pieces like "Mala dyskoteka" by Krystyna Gowik and "La poursuite" by Louise Nguyen Van Ty. It looks like a challenging year ahead!https://www.ameb.edu.au/shop/music/keyboard/piano/series-19
Progress I'm continuing with the "Moonlight" Sonata and my flute piece, though combining hands remains a challenge. Wynn-Anne Rossi's "A Wild Chase" is now memorised, and I'm working on evening it out with a drum machine. I've also started looking at "Titans" by Daniel McFarlane, "A Mingus Among Us" by Eric Baumgartner, and "Sea Song" by Christopher Healey.
If you'd like to get in touch or share your own musical journey on the podcast, drop me a line at [email protected].
The contents of the podcast were entirely generated by me, David Reidy, but these show notes were created by Gemini.
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 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 78 - A Series of Fortunate Events
G'day everyone! Welcome to show number seventy-eight. The holidays have finally started! School has finished for the year, and while I have some work to do on a new Physics program for 2027, there is plenty of time to get it done. Devi and I have chosen some new pieces to keep me busy over the break, and I'm looking forward to increasing my daily practice.
YouTube - Guy Michelmore - Want to Write a Better Tune? This week I look at a video by Guy Michelmore. Guy is a composer of film and television music with a very relatable presentation style—mostly because he leaves his mistakes in!In this video, he writes a simple piece of music using Cubase, explaining his thought process on chord progressions and melody. It is a fascinating look at how a piece of music comes together.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJJFlAEBwYI
Essay - A Series of Fortunate Events I discuss why subscribing to a concert series, like the Sydney Symphony Orchestra's Sunday Afternoon series, is a wise investment for an adult learner. Beyond the financial discount, committing to a series helps you block out time for music in a busy calendar. It exposes you to new repertoire—this year I discovered Scriabin—and it's a great way to support live music and young performers.
Review - AMEB Piano Series 19 Grade 2 Following last week's look at Grade One, I review the new AMEB Series 19 Grade 2 book. The jump in difficulty is noticeable; pieces are longer (often two pages) and much denser with notes. The selection is diverse, featuring works from Wilhelm Friedemann Bach to contemporary pieces like "Mala dyskoteka" by Krystyna Gowik and "La poursuite" by Louise Nguyen Van Ty. It looks like a challenging year ahead!https://www.ameb.edu.au/shop/music/keyboard/piano/series-19
Progress I'm continuing with the "Moonlight" Sonata and my flute piece, though combining hands remains a challenge.Wynn-Anne Rossi's "A Wild Chase" is now memorised, and I'm working on evening it out with a drum machine. I've also started looking at "Titans" by Daniel McFarlane, "A Mingus Among Us" by Eric Baumgartner, and "Sea Song" by Christopher Healey.
If you'd like to get in touch or share your own musical journey on the podcast, drop me a line at [email protected].
The contents of the podcast were entirely generated by me, David Reidy, but these show notes were created by Gemini.
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 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.