In the first of four programmes inspired by the Holly Hunter/Harvey Keitel lesson in Jane Campion's film The Piano, Jeremy Nicholas attends a piano weekend run by The Oldie magazine. The weekend grew out of the relationship between Oldie editor Richard Ingrams and his own piano teacher Richard Banning of Trinity College Cambridge. All that is need to take part is a pass at grade three.

According to Professor Banning, who gently guides participants through Satie's Gymnopeche, there are simple technical barriers to be overcome for anyone starting in later life, such as tension in the body and rigidity in the hands. On the other hand, older learners know what they want to communicate through their music and usually have the personality to put it across.