Piano, finally

Thanks for tuning in to Episode 49! This week, I talk about why piano lessons are back, how progress changes when there’s someone else listening, and whether it’s worth having a piano teacher at all (spoiler: yes, it is). 🎼 Back to Lessons Lessons resumed this week after the summer break—though it’s a short term, just five weeks before Devi heads overseas again. Playing the Spindler Canon and the...

🎹 Episode 48 – Dancing about architecture Welcome to Episode 48. This week, I reflect on remixing, musical distractions, and the sneaky ways we convince ourselves we’re making progress. 🎧 Remixing in the Classroom Year 9 music students had a workshop on remixing, led by two presenters, including musician Nyxen . I got to sit in on parts of the day and was surprised by how much I enjoyed her musi...

Welcome back! In this episode of Piano, finally , I talk about a week of not-much-practice, school restarting, and musical surprises—including a band at a diocesan staff day that, while technically solid, wasn’t quite my style. 🎭 On Stage If you're in Sydney or the Blue Mountains, tickets are now on sale for the Blue Mountains Musical Society’s production of Come From Away , on at Springwood...

G’day everyone, and welcome to Episode 46 of Piano, Finally ! This week, I’ve been thinking about all the unexpected doors learning the piano opens — doors that aren’t always about the piano itself. On ANZAC Day, I joined the Hawkesbury District Concert Band as a bus driver for the Sydney march. It was a real privilege to be part of an important community event alongside students and local musicia...

Welcome to Episode 45 of Piano, Finally This week, David reflects on what it really means to “play” the piano—not just as a technical activity but as a source of joy, creativity, and fun. 🚗 Road Trip & Piano Concert The episode begins with a musical journey—literally—to Armidale for the Piano Plus Showcase Concert , part of the Autumn Piano School . The highlight? Watching Coady Green blaze t...

🎹 Episode 44 – Choosing for the Year Welcome back to Piano, Finally , the podcast by an old bloke finally getting around to learning the piano. In this episode, I share a bit of everything – from an odd experience learning the school song to choosing my piano pieces for the year ahead, and even a book review for those exploring pop piano. 🎵 The School Song Saga I kicked off the holidays with a c...

🎹 Piano, finally – Episode 43: Artificial Meaning G’day, everyone! In this week’s episode, I share a bit about live music, online rabbit holes, and thoughts on what makes music meaningful, even in the age of AI. 🎶 Sydney Symphony and Daniil Trifonov I had the pleasure of hearing Daniil Trifonov perform Rachmaninov’s Fourth Piano Concerto at the Opera House. A magical evening that also featured L...

🎙️ Episode 42 – Devi Mamak G’day, and welcome back to Piano, finally —a podcast by an old bloke learning the piano, finally. This week’s episode is a little different. I’m thrilled to share the very first interview on the show, and it’s with someone many of you have heard me mention before—my piano teacher, Devi Mamak . We sat down at her studio to chat about music, teaching, and learning piano as...

🎙 Episode 41 – Pianos and Keyboards G’day, and welcome back to Piano, Finally – the podcast by an old bloke, finally learning piano. In this episode, we take a look at a curious music theory making the rounds on YouTube, dip a toe into the world of electronic keyboards, and review a more contemporary collection of piano pieces from AMEB’s Rock School. 🎵 A Conspiracy in Classical Music? It started...

Welcome Welcome to episode 40 of Piano, Finally! If you're new here, I hope you enjoy the show. If you’re a returning listener, thanks for coming back! If you're learning piano or another instrument, I'd love to hear how you're going—drop me an email at david@pianofinally.show. This week, I prepared part of this episode at the Sydney Opera House before attending Bell Shakespear...

🎹 Episode 39 – Choosing Music 🎶 Welcome! Thanks for tuning in to Episode 39 of Piano, finally ! Whether you're a first-time listener or a returning friend, I appreciate you being here. If you're on your own piano-learning journey, feel free to share your progress with me at david@pianofinally.show. 🎧 Piano News & Resources 🎼 Chopin Podcast Returns! Ben Laude announced that The Ch...

Welcome G’day, and welcome to Episode 38 of Piano, Finally ! If you’re new here, I hope you enjoy the episode. If you’re a returning listener, thanks for coming back! This week, I’m recording on Saturday instead of Sunday because tomorrow, I’ll be attending my first Sydney Symphony Orchestra concert of the year. The program includes a new work by Australian composer Carl Vine, the Elgar Violin Con...

Introduction Welcome to Episode 37 of Piano, Finally , the podcast about learning the piano as an adult. This week, David talks about adding variety to practice routines, an insightful piano teaching podcast, and some exciting upcoming piano events. Podcast Recommendation – The TopMusic Piano Podcast Hosted by Rachel Ehring, this podcast is packed with insights for piano teachers, but learners wil...

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 n...

🔹 Introduction Welcome to Episode 35! If you're new here, I hope you enjoy the podcast. If you're a returning listener, thanks for coming back! Feel free to share your musical journey with me at david@pianofinally.show . 🔹 This Week’s Highlights A busy start to the school year and reflections on getting back into teaching. MRI scans took some time away from piano practice, but all is w...

Welcome to Episode 34 of Piano, Finally , hosted by David Reidy. In this episode, David reflects on the start of the new school year, shares his goals for piano learning, and dives into some fascinating content from the world of classical music. In This Episode: 🎹 Introduction: David kicks off the episode with updates on his return to teaching and the new website at www.pianofinally.show . 🎶 Mus...

Introduction Welcome to Episode 33 of Piano, Finally, a podcast by David Reidy, an old bloke learning the piano. Podcast Website Update The podcast website is undergoing changes. The new site is hosted on Buzzsprout, and while the main address remains www.pianofinally.show , you can also visit the temporary site at www.pianofinally.buzzsprout.com if the transition is still in progress. Sydney Fest...

In this episode of Piano, Finally , David Reidy reflects on the conclusion of the National Chopin Piano Competition in Miami, sharing his impressions of the winners and a unique behind-the-scenes moment where the six finalists candidly discussed their experiences before the judges’ decision. David highlights the Living the Creative Life YouTube series, hosted by pianist Zsolt Bognár. This acclaime...

In this episode of Piano, Finally , host David Reidy dives into the quirks and challenges of piano practice, sharing his ongoing journey as a late piano learner. David kicks off with reflections on the National Chopin Piano Competition in Miami, discussing the incredible dedication of the finalists and the nuances in their interpretations. He praises the Chopin Podcast's Ben Laude for his ins...

This episode of Piano, Finally , titled "Not the Destination", marks the 30th instalment of the podcast by David Reidy, an enthusiast documenting his piano learning journey. The episode opens with David’s warm welcome to new and returning listeners, followed by a brief mention of the ongoing National Chopin Piano Competition in Miami. He shares his impressions of the preliminary rounds,...

In episode 29 of Piano, Finally , David Reidy warmly invites listeners into his world of piano learning, reflecting on a transformative first year filled with challenges, triumphs, and plenty of music. Whether you’re a seasoned pianist or just dipping your toes into the keys, David’s candid storytelling resonates with anyone navigating the ups and downs of learning an instrument. The episode begin...

Welcome Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Piano, Finally. The Christmas season is here, and I’ve just wrapped up my last piano lesson for the year. I’m currently working on Canon and Bagatelle, with a new addition, Afternoon Snooze by Andrew Craggs. YouTube Recommendation – Lord Vinheteiro 🎼 This week, I’m highlighting one of my favourite piano YouTubers, Lord Vinheteiro . Known for his...

In Episode 27 of Piano, Finally , host David Reidy shares an engaging mix of piano progress, creative inspirations, and thoughtful reflections on the holiday season. As an adult beginner learning piano, David’s journey is relatable and encouraging, making this episode a must-listen for music lovers and creative minds alike. David starts by reflecting on the end of the academic year and his prepara...

In this episode of Piano, Finally , David Reidy reflects on his progress as he continues his journey of learning piano. After returning to work and recovering from time off, David shares how establishing a morning practice routine has transformed his ability to improve at the piano consistently. He offers practical advice for fitting music practice into busy schedules and highlights the difference...

Episode 25 – Piano Legs In this episode of "Piano, Finally" , David Reidy returns after an unplanned three-week break with a deeply personal update. Following an unexpected hospital stay for surgery, David reflects on the incredible support he received from colleagues, family, and friends during his recovery. This leads him to explore the metaphor of "piano legs"—the essential...