🎙 Episode 55 – Play Like No One Is Listening G’day and welcome back to Piano, Finally , where an old bloke keeps learning the piano, one step (and one podcast) at a time. This week’s script was written in the foyer of Carriageworks ahead of Aphrodite , a world premiere chamber opera by Nico Muhly. The venue, with its industrial charm and bold programming, is perfect for discovering new voices—and maybe a future Taylor Swift. More on the opera at the end of the episode. 🎭 Aphrodite at Carriagew...
Jun 29, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 55
🎙 Episode 54 – Under Pressure Welcome to Episode 54 of Piano, Finally , the podcast of one old bloke making his way—note by note—through learning the piano. It’s been a big week at school with the Creative and Performing Arts Showcase on Wednesday and a packed end-of-term schedule coming up, featuring the walkathon, carnival, and Battle of the Bands (yes, I’ll be in the dunk tank again). The week also brought a tech upgrade with a new Mackie Big Knob Studio+ audio interface—so if the show sound...
Jun 22, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Episode 53 – A Community G’day and welcome to Episode 53 of Piano, finally , the podcast of a bloke getting around to learning the piano… finally. This week finds me writing from the foyer of the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith, not the Opera House this time. I was waiting for Shake & Stir’s touring production of 1984 , and I have to say, it was an impressive adaptation—just five actors and some clever use of video screens. Highly recommended if it’s heading your way: 👉 To...
Jun 15, 2025•20 min
🎙 Episode 52 – A Dangerous Business G’day, and welcome back to Piano, Finally —a podcast from an old bloke finally learning the piano. This week’s episode was written once again from the busy foyer of the Sydney Opera House—where Vivid’s light show and some eye-watering appetiser prices ($825!) set the scene before another performance by Sir Stephen Hough. We begin with an update from the Cliburn piano competition, streaming live on YouTube . All six finalists are men—curious, but I’m just glad...
Jun 08, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Welcome to Episode 51 of Piano, Finally ! This week, I talk about how my piano practice was affected by long work days, debating competitions, and the occasional musical side quest — like programming the Nord Stage 4 to sound like the iconic synth from Van Halen’s Jump . (You’ll hear my first attempt in the progress section.) In the spirit of broadening musical horizons, this episode’s recommendation is the Early Music Sources channel, run by Elam Rotem. It’s a beautifully produced, deeply resea...
Jun 01, 2025•15 min•Season 1Ep. 51
G’day, and welcome to Episode 50 of Piano, Finally ! This week marks one full year since the podcast began, and in that time, fifty proper episodes have made it to air. In this episode, I take a moment to reflect on the journey so far — from consistent recording and practicing, to discovering the joy of small but meaningful progress at the piano. As I write this, I’m sitting in the Sydney Opera House foyer, waiting for a Stephen Hough concert. There’s also an update on the school’s Battle of the...
May 25, 2025•13 min•Season 1Ep. 50
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 Bagatelle in F in front of someone else felt very different than at home. I also made a bit of prog...
May 18, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 49
🎹 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 music and her breakdown of the production process. Check out Nyxen’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@N...
May 11, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 48
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 later this month. Tickets: https://www.bluemountainstheatre.com.au/what-s-on/season-2025/come-from-away/...
May 04, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 47
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 musicians. If you’ve been following the Chopin competitions this year, good news — the preliminary rounds a...
Apr 27, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 46
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 through two of Anton Rubenstein’s études with jaw-dropping precision. 🎶 Listen to the études: YouTub...
Apr 20, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 45
🎹 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 curious challenge: trying to play the school song. Despite knowing it well, my first attempt sounded ...
Apr 13, 2025•17 min
🎹 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 Lyadov’s The Enchanted Lake —a piece by a lesser-known Russian composer. Learn more about Anatoly Lya...
Apr 06, 2025•19 min
🎙️ 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 an adult. A big thanks to Devi for taking the time to speak after a full day of teaching. 🎹 Links...
Mar 30, 2025•32 min
🎙 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 with a video about using a metronome and ended with a full-blown theory claiming we’re all playing...
Mar 23, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 41
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 [email protected]. This week, I prepared part of this episode at the Sydney Opera House before attending Bell Shakespeare’s Henry V. It’s one of my favorite Shakespeare history plays, and this production was excellent. YouTube Spotlight: Ja...
Mar 16, 2025•15 min
🎹 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 [email protected]. 🎧 Piano News & Resources 🎼 Chopin Podcast Returns! Ben Laude announced that The Chopin Podcast is back with a monthly release schedule leading up to the International Chopin Competition. Check...
Mar 09, 2025•15 min
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 Concerto , and Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 3 , plus a pre-concert lecture. I’ll share all the detail...
Mar 02, 2025•13 min
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 will also find value in its interviews with musicians and discussions on different teaching styles. Lis...
Feb 23, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 37
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! 🎧✨ Introduction Welcome to Episode 36 of Piano, Finally , the podcast about learning the piano ...
Feb 16, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 36
🔹 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 [email protected] . 🔹 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 well! Watched an amazing two-piano concert featuring Yuja Wang and Víkingur Ólafsson on Stage+: 🎵 Schubert, Ra...
Feb 09, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 34
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 . 🎶 Musical Insights: Arsenii Moon’s Winning Performance: David discusses Arsenii Moon’s joyful performance...
Feb 02, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 34
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 Festival – Sigfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera David attended Sigfried & Roy: The Unauthorise...
Jan 26, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 33
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 acclaimed series offers deep, inspiring conversations with renowned artists like Vladimir Ashkenazy, delving...
Jan 19, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 32
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 insightful contestant interviews, which shed light on the intense preparation behind performances. David the...
Jan 12, 2025•15 min
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, noting the high level of performance by the competitors and recommending the live streams for viewers interest...
Jan 05, 2025•13 min
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 begins with a spotlight on the 2025 National Chopin Piano Competition in Miami, a gateway to the prestigi...
Dec 29, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 29
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 deadpan expression and impressive piano skills, his channel features educational and entertaining co...
Dec 22, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 28
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 preparations for the six-week holiday break. With help from his teacher Devi, he’s selecting pieces aligned...
Dec 15, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 27
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 it has made in his playing. The YouTube segment revisits some of David’s past recommendations, incl...
Dec 08, 2024•13 min
