Being 'discovered'
Dear Reader – In my early days as a musician in Sligo, I remember a friend coming up to me at a gig and marvelling at how good one of the musicians was. “What’s his name”, he asked, “and how was he never discovered”?.
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The Piano Has Been Thinking
Stories and reflections on songs, piano, performance, teaching and the musical life around Kieran Quinn Music.
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Latest letters and stories
It's OK to be not OK
I was quiet for a few days last week. I knew I was feeling a bit down, but couldn’t put my finger on what it was that was causing it. And whenever this happens I retreat into myself. My wife noticed it and between us.
A stroke of genius...
I was sitting on the playing fields of Summerhill College for a while last weekend, waiting for a music class to finish, enjoying the sun. From that angle, the college is framed beautifully by Knocknarea on the left.
Holidays!
Dear Reader – I’ve hardly been home since I wrote last week’s letter to you. My wife was determined that we would get away for a few days as soon as it was possible again, so we’re just back from a long weekend in.
Promise, potential, possibilities...
Dear Reader – ‘I can’t believe I’m typing this email’. Not me, but thus went the opening line of one reply I got in relation to the open call I made in last week’s letter. One of many, it must be said, and each one was.
Counting Kangaroos
Dear Reader – It’s great to be writing to you. This is the first official edition of ‘The Piano Has Been Thinking’, my weekly letter to you which will arrive in your inbox every Tuesday at lunchtime. It will use the.
Who Wants to be a Billionaire?
Dear Reader – Last week I wrote about the possibility of writing a hit song that could set you up financially for life. And, as it happens, this week I am promoting not one but two new songs I helped to bring about..
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
This song was written by Elton John in collaboration with his regular lyricist Bernie Taupin, and also with long-standing colleague, guitarist Davey Johnstone. Taupin wrote the lyrics as a love letter to his wife at.
The Baker's Dozen
Dear Reader – I met another Dad at my son’s football training last weekend. His son comes to me for lessons, and he asked me if, for example, I wrote a hit song that set me up financially for life, would I still teach.
God's Favourite Chord?
Dear Readers – So I have a big question for you all to start today’s letter.... What is God’s favourite chord?? I’ll tell you the answer later, but for now come with me through the letter’s more regular features. The.
Always Remember Us This Way
This song was written by Lady Gaga in collaboration with 3 other songwriters - Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey. Gaga hosted a writing camp in Nashville where the songwriting team worked specifically on.
Teresa Green
I’m sure you know the song. It starts with the words “I see Teresa Green, red roses too”? Ah you do know it…! If you don’t I’ll come back to it before the end of this edition, but I thought of it many times this week.
Glory Days
Hey everybody and thanks for reading… To start today, let’s go back a few months. On January 8th this year, I wrote this: “The last day of these 100 will be April 20th, by which time the weather will be warmer, the.
A trip to Donegal, Teenage Theme Night #22, and the cherry blossom tree.
Story of the Week: Do you remember this time last year? The early days of lockdown when the weather was great, it was still a bit of a novelty, and we were all enjoying the break from regular life. People were enjoying.
Back To Black
Back to Black - Written by Amy Winehouse and producer Mark Ronson, this was the third single from the 2006 album of the same name - Winehouse's second and final album. It was the first song that Ronson and Winehouse.
Time passing slowly yet 20 years have gone by...
I had some time to myself last Saturday and so I set off on one of my favourite walks. I started on Culleenamore Beach and headed contentedly away from Knocknarea, then all the way around the point in the soft sand.
Tears in Heaven
This song was written by Eric Clapton and songwriter Will Jennings, only months after Clapton’s four year-old son Conor died tragically. It was written for the film Rush (1991), and in Clapton’s words, being asked to.
The Island
The Island was written by Tyrone songwriter Paul Brady and released in 1985, at the height of The Troubles in his native Northern Island. He compares what is going on there to the war in Lebanon and then contrasts it.