Episode 40 - External Memory

Piano, finally

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: Jameson Nathan Jones
Jameson Nathan Jones is a composer and performer with a unique approach to music composition. His YouTube channel stands out with video titles like Key Signatures Aren’t Prisons and Music Theory that Composers Actually Use. His training in classical piano and organ makes his teaching particularly relevant. If you're interested in composing as well as playing, his channel is worth checking out: Jameson Nathan Jones.

Essay – External Memory
Balancing learning the piano with a busy life means finding ways to stay organized. This week, I focused on improving my practice efficiency. My system includes:

• A leather briefcase with printed scores and backup reading glasses
• An iPad with Newzik for digital scores (though I often forget to charge it!)
• A big hardcover notebook where my teacher, Devi, writes key practice points

Taking notes during and after practice has helped make my sessions more productive and given me a clearer sense of progress. Keeping track of improvements is a great way to stay motivated, especially when frustration strikes (like hitting unintended black keys!).

Review – AMEB Piano for Leisure
I’ve been looking for repertoire to challenge myself, and while browsing a music store, I came across the AMEB Piano for Leisure series. Unlike the traditional classical syllabus, Piano for Leisure offers a more varied selection of pieces but maintains the same technical requirements.

I picked up the Series 1, First Grade book, which includes 11 diverse pieces—from boogie woogie to Mozart. The structured difficulty makes it a great choice for learners. If you’re considering it, you can preview the pieces online: AMEB Piano for Leisure.

I also found complete YouTube playlists for these books, making it easy to hear how the pieces should sound: AMEB Repertoire.

Closing

By the way, Henry V was a fantastic production—if you get the chance to see it, I highly recommend it.

Progress Update
This week, I focused on refining my articulation in Baga

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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.

Chapters

1. Opening (00:00:00)

2. Welcome (00:00:14)

3. YouTube - Jameson Nathan Jones (00:01:28)

4. Essay - External Memory (00:02:54)

5. Review - AMEB Piano For Leisure - Series 1 Grade One (00:06:49)

6. Closing (00:10:20)

7. Progress (00:11:49)