🎙 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 Carriageworks

🎸 Friday’s school carnival featured the annual Battle of the Bands—loud, fun, and featuring some talented Year 8 students. I only caught one band in between dunk tank duties, but it was great to see so many students skipping the rides and cheering on their friends.

🎧 This episode sounds a little different again—thanks to a second Rode NT1 mic that lets me speak and play at the same time. We’ll see how it goes.

📺 YouTube Spotlight – Zarty – Music
Discovered via algorithm magic, Zarty’s video “STOP PLEASE 21 Classical Accompaniments that are not Alberti Bass” was a revelation. Zarty breaks down alternatives to the classic Alberti pattern, showing each one in isolation and in Mozart context. His clear explanations and clean presentation make it easy to understand how accompaniment shapes the feel of a piece. Highly recommended for anyone struggling with left-hand patterns (like me on a bad day).

📝 Essay – Play Like No One Is Listening
Inspired by that old quote about dancing, I reflect this week on playing the piano as if no one is listening—even when they are. As hobbyist pianists, we’re lucky. No exams, no assessments, just the joy of learning and sharing music. Whether it's sneaking in a few bars during a music class cover or trying out the school grand piano after hours, I’ve learned that playing publicly—even informally—can be liberating and fun when there’s no pressure. Don’t wait for perfection. Share the music.

🎹 Nord Stage 4 Review – The Organs
We continue our Nord Stage 4 deep dive with the organ section. With two independent organs, full drawbar control, and models like the Hammond B3, Vox Continental, Farfisa, and two pipe organs, there’s plenty to explore. You can blend layers, apply vibrato and chorus, and even use pitch bend and sustain creatively. Nord Stage 4 Overview

🎼 Progress & Piano Talk
This week’s practice includes four pieces I’ve been maintaining, now played using a new virtual instrument—Claire by Native Instruments, sampling the legendary Fazioli f308. It’s not the $400k real thing, but it’s close enough through headphones. Claire Bundle

Until next week, play like no one is list

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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.

🎙 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 sounds a bit different, that’s why. A review of it is on the way.

🎧 Video Feature – Best Piano VSTs of 2025
This week’s recommended video comes from Stu Harrison at Merriam Music, who reviews five top-tier piano VSTs: Keyscape, CFX Garritan, Addictive Keys, Pianoteq 8, and Claire. If you’re building out a virtual piano rig or just want to know what’s new, this is a thorough and insightful look. I’ve even added one of them to my own setup—hint: Mi piacciono i pianoforti italiani.

📝 Essay – Under Pressure
The Showcase performances sparked a reflection on pressure in music. While student performers juggle nerves, grading systems, and the looming ATAR, adult learners like me have the luxury of learning purely for enjoyment. No exams, no deadlines, just curiosity and flexibility. That freedom—especially to take detours like learning synthesis and adding stage keyboards—has been a huge part of the fun. I’m still debating whether to join the September recital, but if I do, I’ll choose something that keeps it enjoyable rather than stressful.

🎹 Gear Review – The Nord Stage 4 Pianos
We start a new review series on the Nord Stage 4 by looking at its piano section. Unlike traditional keyboards, the NS4 includes both modelled and sampled pianos (the latter via the synth engine). With limited memory, you have to choose your sounds carefully—but Nord makes it easy to load and swap models. I explore the grand, upright, electric, clavinet, and digital categories, including gems like the Velvet Grand, Amber Upright, and even a DX7. The Nord Sound Library offers many more. If you’re interested in purchasing the Stage 4 locally, here’s a link to Turramurra Music.

A standout feature? Layering. Up to seven sounds can be blended—say, an acoustic and electric piano—to create rich textures like those used by Elton John. Add in dynamic compensation, touch adjustments, and even pitch bending, and you’ve got a remarkably flexible performance tool.

🎼 Progress
This week’s practice focused on tricky passages from two pieces: Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja (Mozart) and Wild Chase(Wynn-Anne Rossi). Recorded using the Kawai NV10 and Pianoteq 8 with the New York Steinway D in Classical mode.

Send me a text message.

You can contact me:

• via email at david@pianofinally.show; 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.

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:
👉 Tour info
👉 The Joan

🎹 YouTube Recommendation: My Keys To Music
If Nord keyboards are your thing—or you want them to be—Marc Larochelle’s channel My Keys To Music is a goldmine. Whether he’s breaking down sound design, comparing Nord models, or just playing the Doctor Who theme from an overhead angle, it’s all very watchable and informative. He even explores AI tools for separating tracks into stems—something I plan to try during the holidays.

Courses, deeper dives, and downloadable patches are all on his website, and there’s bonus material via his Patreon. Just don’t sign up via the iOS app—Apple takes a cut. Use the web version instead.
🎥 My Keys To Music on YouTube

🎶 Essay: A Community
My performance of Someone Like You isn’t happening after all, but another chance looms—a recital at the end of Term 3. I’m undecided. Is performing worthwhile? Definitely. Music communicates, and someone needs to do the performing. Whether you’re a pro with the Sydney Symphony or a volunteer in a Christmas variety show, performance builds community between players and listeners. Maybe that’s reason enough.

🎛️ Gear Talk: Nord Stage 4 – Overview
I’ve finally got my hands on the Nord Stage 4 (88-key version), and this review will be spread over a few episodes. This keyboard is a beast—three instrument sections (organ, piano, synth), full effects, layering, aftertouch, triple sensors, 512-program capacity, and serious versatility. It’s 130cm long and nearly 20kg, so more “transportable” than portable, but you’d only need this one keyboard for most gigs.

🛒 Nord Stage 4 official page
🛍️ Turramurra Music – AU retailer
🛒 Sweetwater – US retailer

🎭 Coming Up: The Creative and Performing Arts Showcase is on Wednesday, and I’m looking forward to being impressed by our young artists.

🎵 Progress update: Still aiming for September recital readiness. Current contenders include:

• Fritz Spinder – Canon
• Daniel Gottlob Türk – Bagatelle
• Andrew Cragg – Afternoon Snooze, Blackout Blues

These were recorded using the Kawai NV10 and Pianoteq 8 with the New York Steinway D model.

Until next time—may your piano stay in tune and yo

Send me a text message.

You can contact me:

• via email at david@pianofinally.show; 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.

🎙 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 to have a favourite from the earlier Gina Bachauer comp in the running. (Note to competition organisers: please consider school holidays next time!)

🎹 This week’s featured channel is DSoundman—a.k.a. Douglas: songwriter, studio producer, and worship leader. His content dives deep into keyboard reviews, tutorials, and creative sound design. Whether you’re new to Nord and Roland boards or just curious about what modern stage pianos can do, his videos are a treasure trove. He also sells courses and preset packs for those looking to level up.

In the essay, A Dangerous Business, we reflect on just how far the piano journey can carry you. What started with a single Roland piano has spiralled into digital grand actions, YouTube rabbit holes, sound design adventures, and reflections on music education. We tip our hat to David Bennett Piano, Elton John, and Billy Joel—and we explore why learning classical first still makes sense, even if you’re aiming for Pink Floyd.

Classical training builds the foundation—but pop music’s chord progressions are opening new doors. The goal is to blend both worlds, and it turns out the scenic route—via detours and diversions—makes for a much better trip.

🎛 To that end, we review Syntorial by Audible Genius—a powerful course that teaches synthesis through ear training rather than theory. With 199 lessons, a built-in synth, and a free trial of the first 22 lessons, it’s a brilliant way to learn what all those knobs and sliders actually do. It’s already helping improve listening skills and synth programming—and it’s surprisingly fun.

🎶 In progress news: the debating season’s over, practice is back on track (even if Wednesday went mysteriously off the rails), and a few “once-a-session” pieces made it to the mic—Spindler’s Canon, Türk’s Bagatelle in F, and Cragg’s Afternoon Snooze and Blackout Blues. Recorded on the Kawai NV10 with Pianoteq’s New York Steinway Model D, they’re a nod to the Cliburn competition’s piano of choice.

As always, get in touch at david@pianofinally.show or via pianofinally.show.

Until next time,

Send me a text message.

You can contact me:

• via email at david@pianofinally.show; 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.

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 researched dive into the music of the 16th and 17th centuries — ideal if you're curious about how music evolved into what we hear today.
👉 Explore Early Music Sources
👉 Hear recordings by Elam Rotem

The essay this week is all about practice: how I’ve been organising mine, how it’s evolved, and why I’ve started playing each of my “ready” pieces just once a day. This one-take approach (also used for the progress recordings at the end of each episode) mirrors performance pressure — one shot, no do-overs. It makes for more mindful playing, even if the occasional mistake sneaks through. I break down how I categorise pieces (can’t play yet, sort of can, and performance-ready), and what my thirty-minute sessions tend to look like — or what gets skipped when time runs out.

The episode also includes a review of the Blue Mountains Musical Society’s production of Come From Away. The show is brilliantly cast, creatively staged, and a local production that holds its own against Broadway. And at $49 a ticket, it’s a bargain.
👉 Blue Mountains Musical Society – Book tickets

In the progress section: Mozart’s Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja, Wynn-Anne Rossi’s Wild Chase, and a first attempt at Van Halen’s Jump, patched together on the Nord Stage 4. The acoustic pieces were recorded using the Kawai NV10 with Pianoteq 8 on the M4 Pro Mac Mini, running the Anton Petrov Grand in Recording Mode 2.

Thanks again for listening. If you’re working on an instrument of your own, I’d love to hear how it’s going — send a note to david@pianofinally.show or visit the website at
👉 www.pianofinally.show

Send me a text message.

You can contact me:

• via email at david@pianofinally.show; 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.

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 Bands (spoiler: I won’t be performing), and a quick mention of the Van Cliburn piano competition, which is now underway and streaming live — with top-down keyboard views and excellent coverage.
👉 Watch the Cliburn
👉 Ben Laude’s daily recaps

This week’s viewing suggestion is The Piano, a heartwarming ABC series set around a public upright in Sydney’s Central Station. Don’t confuse it with the BBC show of the same name — this one’s not a competition, though it does feature Harry Connick Jr. and Andrea Lam quietly observing from behind the scenes. The stories are beautifully produced and moving.
👉 Watch the featured segment
👉 View the full series on iView

I also look back at the podcast’s first year — the ups and downs of recording, what’s improved, and how it’s changed how I engage with music. From new genres to more concerts, the podcast has opened a lot of doors, including a trip to Armidale and plans for a piano festival in Bathurst.

In this week’s concert review, I recap Sir Stephen Hough performing Brahms’ First Piano Concerto with the SSO — with a Prokofiev highlight and encore Chopin Nocturne to round it off. You can find a Spotify playlist of the concert here:
👉 SSO concert page

The practice pieces this week include Mozart’s Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja and Wild Chase by Wynn-Anne Rossi. I’m making headway, especially with Alberti bass and coordination across hands.

And for early music fans, check out Elam Rotem’s Early Music Sources channel — packed with 16th- and 17th-century insights and examples.
👉 Early Music Sources and recordings

Thanks again for listening this past year. Here’s to the next fifty!

Send me a text message.

You can contact me:

• via email at david@pianofinally.show; 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.

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 progress on Mozart—those first two bars are getting there, slowly.

🎬 YouTube Pick – Andy Chamberlain Music
This week’s video recommendation is You’ve Been Lied To About Time Signatures by Andy Chamberlain Music. It starts with theory basics, then dives into some wonderful historical context—particularly from 18:45 to 24:40, where Andy explains how 13th-century notation influences what we see on the page today.
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfWy5yhAukA

🧠 Essay – Do you need a piano teacher?
After a year of lessons, I reflect on how much more I’ve enjoyed and benefited from guided learning than I did trying to go it alone. From immediate feedback and technique tips to having someone who finds pedal technique as interesting as you do—it makes all the difference. Devi helped me fix timing in Afternoon Snooze and even fingering in Der Vogelfänger. For me, lessons are more than worth it.

🎹 Review – K&M Keyboard Stand
I recently bought a K&M 18810 Omega stand for the Nord Stage 4. It’s rock solid, holds the 20kg keyboard without a problem, and looks like it’ll last a lifetime. I’ve added the second-tier riser, a laptop shelf, and an iPad holder—great flexibility, sturdy German engineering, and easily sourced here in Australia.
More about K&M: https://www.k-m.de/en/
Where I bought mine: https://www.turramusic.com.au/products/konig-meyer-k-m-18810-omega-keyboard-stand

🎧 Progress Update
You’ll hear Afternoon Snooze and Blackout Blues again this week, plus the two bars of Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja I’ve been polishing. I’m also working on Wild Chase by Wynn-Anne Rossi—an energetic piece that’s tricky because the melody is shared between both hands. Not ready to record yet, but it’s underway.
Everything was recorded on the Kawai NV10 with Pianoteq 8 using the Anton Petrov Grand in Recording Mode One.

📬 Get in Touch
Email: david@pianofinally.show
Website: http://www.pianofinally.show
Also on Instagram and YouTube (audio only). Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite app.

🎉 Coming Up
Next week marks the podcast’s first birthday, and I’ll take a look back at the year that was.

Until then, I hope your p

Send me a text message.

You can contact me:

• via email at david@pianofinally.show; 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.

🎹 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/@NYXENMUSIC
Here’s the track they worked on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4136AwqMjiA

🎹 Denis Zhdanov’s Competition Story
A fun video from Denis Zhdanov about his first piano competition—light, entertaining, and with a nice piece at the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOAuDBWLzXI

📺 YouTube Pick – David Bennett Piano
David Bennett’s videos dissect music theory through popular songs. I’ve learned a lot from his breakdowns of chord progressions and modes.
Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidBennettPiano
This week’s pick is especially useful:
“Film and TV Themes that will help you identify intervals” – a great resource for recognising intervals by ear, from Jaws to The Flintstones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JftZNTUJTJc

🧠 Essay – Dancing about architecture
There’s a quote—often misattributed—about how writing about music is like dancing about architecture. I use it this week to reflect on the trap of watching music content instead of doing music.
I’ve set myself a rule: no YouTube videos or piano reading during the week until I’ve done at least 30 minutes of practice. No more illusions of progress without real playing.

📘 Review – Bill Hilton’s “Exercises, Inventions & Ideas”
As a Patreon supporter, I’ve been working through Bill Hilton’s teaching pack. The first PDF includes a clever dexterity exercise with deliberately tricky fingering, a pedal-focused invention using finger cycling, and a segment on legato/staccato control.
The first video and download in the series is free to all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8kQ2qn7qCk

🎼 Progress Update

• Türk’s Bagatelle in F is now on maintenance rotation.
• Afternoon Snooze and Blackout Blues are getting close—though I’ve slowed down Afternoon Snooze, because a nap should sound lazy, not brisk.
• Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja is coming together with both hands, very slowly.
• M

Send me a text message.

You can contact me:

• via email at david@pianofinally.show; 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.