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 support systems we all need to balance the challenges of life and learning a new skill. David dives into two standout re...
Dec 01, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Welcome to another musical adventure! In this episode of the Piano, Finally podcast, our host, David Reidy, takes listeners on a journey through his experiences as a budding pianist while also sharing recent piano news, reflecting on music’s role in challenging times, and giving a unique piano bench review. David opens with updates on his piano practice, including correcting a chord mistake in Adele’s Someone Like You . He also discusses his excitement for an upcoming live recording of No Such T...
Nov 09, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Have you ever wondered if you can truly learn a new instrument later in life? Join me, David Reidy, as I share my personal adventure of learning piano in my later years in the latest episode of "Piano, Finally." With the invaluable guidance of my teacher, Devi, I've been transforming sheet music into a playable reality, focusing particularly on Adele's "Someone Like You." I'm thrilled to share the progress I've made and dive into the intricate details of mapping chords and perfecting my fingerin...
Nov 03, 2024•12 min
What if machine learning could redefine the way we create music? Join me, David Reidy, as I challenge the boundaries between human creativity and technological innovation through my journey of learning the piano. You'll hear about my preparation for a potential performance of Adele's "Someone Like You," a daunting piece that I'm determined to master with my teacher's guidance over the next nine months. I'll also share my thoughts on the intriguing blend of education and humour offered by Profess...
Oct 27, 2024•12 min
Ever felt the thrill of tackling a new challenge, only to find it opens unexpected doors? Join me, David Reidy, as I navigate the fascinating world of piano in this week's "Piano Finally." Inspired by Ryan Abshier's captivating video ranking top piano concertos, I created a playlist on Apple Classical Music to share these masterpieces with you. As I ponder an intriguing invite to perform at a school fundraising event, I reflect on the joys and jitters of sharing music, even as a beginner. It's a...
Oct 20, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 21
How does an older adult tackle the challenge of learning piano, and what can concert experiences teach us about music appreciation? Join me, David Reidy, as I navigate my journey through the keys, sharing not only my triumphs and stumbles with major scales and key signatures but also the magic of a recent symphony concert by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. From the comfort of your home, enjoy a front-row seat to the melodies of Mozart, Respighi, and Shostakovich and uncover why attending concerts...
Oct 13, 2024•15 min
Ever had a whimsical chat with a fellow theater enthusiast about oboists during intermission? Join me, David Reidy, as I recount such an amusing exchange from my recent outing to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard" at the Opera House, starring the legendary Sarah Brightman. My journey through the world of live music doesn't stop there; I also spotlight an intriguing podcast series on Frederic Chopin, featuring insights from pianist Garrick Olson and historian Alan Walker. Whether it's t...
Oct 06, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Ever wondered what it takes to judge a world-class piano competition from your living room? Join me, David Reidy, on the 18th episode of "Piano. Finally," where I recount my humorous attempt at playing judge for the Leeds International Piano Competition finals. I'll share my thoughts on the incredible winner, Jaeden Izik-Dzerko, and his breathtaking performance of Brahms Concerto no 2 in B-flat Major. Plus, I'll highlight Ryan Absher's YouTube channel, a treasure trove of piano techniques and pi...
Sep 29, 2024•12 min
Unlock the secrets to mastering your piano scales and refining your practice routines with me, David Reidy! This episode promises to elevate your piano journey as I recount my own progress with all 12 major scales and introduce an innovative practice organisation software tool. You'll also discover Matthew Carwood's YouTube channel, a treasure trove of piano performance analyses that are perfect for sharpening your musical insights. Plus, get the lowdown on my state-of-the-art piano setup featur...
Sep 22, 2024•13 min
Ever wondered how a reluctant jazz attendee ends up enjoying a night of live music? That's exactly what happened to me, David Reidy, and I’m here to share all the unexpected musical twists and turns from my latest adventures. From sitting out Devi's annual student showcase and promising to perform next year to discovering a newfound appreciation for jazz at the Live at the Village event in Springwood, my musical journey has been anything but predictable. I’ll also give you the inside scoop on th...
Sep 15, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 16
What if a simple fix could reignite your passion for music? Join me, David Reidy, as I share how a quick but crucial repair to my Kawai NV10 by technician Stan brought my piano playing back to life. In this episode of Piano Finally, I explore my progress with scale practice under my piano teacher's guidance and unveil an exciting iPad app I'm developing to make practising scales more intuitive. Additionally, I highlight the "Musician Toolkit" podcast by David Lane, which has become an invaluable...
Sep 08, 2024•13 min
Join me, David Reidy, on the latest episode of "Piano, Finally,". Travel with me through the bustling piano shops of Sydney, where luxury pianos with rich histories and exquisite craftsmanship beckon. I also take a moment to spotlight the incredible work of Jason Zak and the Nathaniel School of Music's YouTube channel, urging you to support their treasure trove of valuable content. In this episode, you'll also hear my thoughts on the significance of music theory in piano playing, informed by my ...
Sep 01, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Join me, David Reidy, in the latest episode of "Piano, Finally." We delve into the evocative music of George Winston, whose compositions provide both challenge and inspiration. I'll be guiding you through his pieces, ideal for both keen listeners and budding pianists. Plus, let's confront the demons of stage fright together, exploring how to turn performance jitters into a source of joy. I'll explore my personal progress with Nino Rota's "A Time For Us" from the classic film "Romeo and Juliet." ...
Aug 25, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Struggling to keep your piano practice consistent amidst a busy schedule? Join me, David Reidy, on this week's episode of Piano, Finally, where I share my personal journey of mastering the keys while managing real-life challenges. Plus, hear how the Roland keyboard and Pianoteq software have become essential tools in my musical toolkit, and discover my quest for a more organised practice routine. Curious about the life of a classical pianist? I highly recommend exploring Tiffany Poon's YouTube c...
Aug 18, 2024•13 min
Join me, David Reidy, on "Piano. Finally." as I share the latest developments with my Kawaii NV10. Plus, I've got a personal recap of my night out at the Camelot Lounge where I experienced an electrifying performance by my piano teacher, Devi Mamak, and her Caravan Band. Imagine a fusion of Indian ragas, Beethoven, and Middle Eastern dance all under one roof—it was an evening to remember! Feeling curious about how violin techniques could enrich your piano skills? Meet TwoSet Violin, the Australi...
Aug 11, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 11
What does it feel like to truly connect with your instrument? Join me, David Reidy, on this tenth episode of "Piano Finally,".Reflecting on my six-month journey from my first Roland FP-30X to the impressive Kawai Novus hybrid, I delve into how YouTube has been an indispensable guide in making informed decisions and enhancing my learning experience. As an older adult learning piano, I emphasize the joy in the journey over rushing to perform publicly. I share my progress on Samuel Arnold's Gigue, ...
Aug 04, 2024•13 min
Welcome to Episode 9. Thanks for joining me this week. It has been busy; school is back for Term 3, which means this will be back into a normal rhythm but also much busier. My regular piano lessons will be starting back this coming week, and I’m looking forward to learning some new things over the coming term. Before the holidays, my piano teacher mentioned that she would be running a showcase concert in the middle of September. I don’t think I’m ready to perform in front of members of the publi...
Jul 28, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Ever faced the frustration of coming home to find your prized electronic piano completely unresponsive? This week on Piano Finally, join me, David Reidy, as I recount my recent adventures—from a delightful trip to Queensland and smoothly handing over my Roland FP-30X to Nixon, Halley, and Ace, to the unexpected challenge of a non-functional Kawai NV-10 upon returning home. Discover the detailed troubleshooting process, the stellar customer service I received, and the planned repair that’s set to...
Jul 21, 2024•13 min
Ever wondered how an old bloke like me, David Reidy, finally got around to learning the piano? Well, this week's episode is packed with insights and stories from my own musical journey. On top of that, I dive into a review of Alfred's Basic Piano Library All-in-One Course by Palmer, Manus, and Lethco, a stellar resource for young beginners. I share my thoughts on why this series could be a great starting point for the younger folks in your life. Reflecting on the musical influences in my own lif...
Jul 14, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Have you ever wondered if sight reading is truly essential for mastering the piano? Join me on this episode of "Piano. Finally," where we tackle this age-old debate head-on. I'll take you through my personal journey into sight reading, highlighting the transformative "Improve Your Sight Reading" series by Paul Harris. These books, organized with graded practice pieces, have been an invaluable resource in my practice, and I'll explain exactly why. Along the way, I'll share the importance of celeb...
Jul 07, 2024•13 min
How are you going to learn the piano? Join me, David Reidy, in the latest episode of Piano Finally, where I kick off with an exciting update on the Gina Bachauer piano competition and its stellar performances with the Utah Symphony Orchestra. I also discuss the potential overhaul of the podcast website Later in the episode, I look at the benefits of private piano lessons as well as the hurdles involved in learning in the traditional way. I detail why I decided to choose this path and how it migh...
Jun 30, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a busy schedule yet still found moments of inspiration that reignite your passion? Join me, David Reidy, as I navigate a week filled with debating competitions and school events, all while trying to squeeze in piano practice. Discover how a Year 8 student's original composition at our school's creative showcase provided a much-needed spark in my musical journey. With the holidays just around the corner, I'll share my plans for ramping up my practice time and aim...
Jun 23, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 4
What if the key to mastering the piano lies in choosing the right instrument? Join me, David Reidy, on this episode of "Piano Finally," as I share my journey learning piano with the Roland FP-30X. You'll get an inside look at my practice sessions, the pieces I'm working on, and how the remarkable features of the Roland FP-30X are making a difference. From its 88 progressively weighted keys to the Supernatural Piano Sound Engine, discover why this keyboard is a game-changer for beginners, especia...
Jun 16, 2024•16 min
Ever wondered how you can optimise your piano practice routine and set up a perfect practice space? Tune in as I, David Reidy, share my personal journey of dedicating five and a half hours of practice this week to Alyssa Milne's "Getting to Grade One." I also dive into the charming world of Samuel Arnold's "Gigue" and Manfred Schmitz's "Mini Hit," offering insights into my progress. Stay until the end to hear about "The Piano Doctor," a fascinating YouTube channel featuring a talented piano tech...
Jun 09, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Ever thought about picking up a musical instrument as an adult but felt overwhelmed by the commitment? Join me, David Reidy, as I share my personal journey of diving into the world of piano playing in this heartwarming episode of "Piano, Finally." Discover the key moments that led to my decision to start and how I've managed to fit two lessons on Mondays and daily practice sessions into my hectic schedule. You'll uncover the intriguing connection between my love for music theory – inspired by Do...
Jun 02, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Embark on a musical voyage with me, David Reidy, as I tackle the grand adventure of mastering the piano later in life. With a lifetime of teaching others, I'm stepping into the shoes of a student to bring you an honest, insightful look at what it's like to learn piano as an adult. From grappling with music theory to testing the best learning tools and resources, I'm here to share this journey's highs, lows, and unexpected delight. If you've ever considered tickling the ivories yourself or are fa...
May 26, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1
