Find your sound. And create great music.
Jazz, Pop & Blues Piano Lessons on Sydney's North Shore
Learn harmony, groove, improvisation and real-world musicianship through personalised contemporary piano lessons.
Is this you?
- Returning to piano as an adult?
- Classical player wanting to learn jazz?
- Want to play confidently from chords?
- Keen to play in a band or take your band playing up a level?
- Looking to improvise on the piano
- Looking for a contemporary (rather than traditional) piano / keyboard pathway?
If so, you’re in the right place.
At a Glance - Dave Halls Piano Studio
Styles
Jazz
Pop
Blues
Great for
Location
Lesson Types
Styles
Pop
Blues
Jazz
Suitable For
Skills
Improvisation
Playing From Chords
Band Skills
Harmony
Contemporary Composition (including MIDI)
Location
Modes
Dave Halls Piano Studio is based on Sydney’s North Shore. The studio is located five minutes from the St Ives Shopping Village and typically serves students from St Ives, Pymble, Gordon, Killara, Lindfield, Roseville, Chatswood, Turramurra, Wahroonga, Hornsby and surrounding suburbs. Online lessons via MS Teams are available for anyone further afield.
Real Musical Experience. Structured Learning
My musical experience has been built through more than three decades of performing, arranging, composing and playing jazz, blues and contemporary music in bands and live settings.
Alongside this, I’ve spent many years designing and delivering training programs, developing a deep understanding of how people learn complex skills and turn knowledge into practical ability.
Lessons are tailored to each student’s goals, interests and experience level, combining real-world musical experience with a structured, musicianship-first approach that helps students build understanding, confidence, creativity and independence at the piano.
The goal isn’t simply to learn songs or concepts. It’s to develop the skills, foundations and musical understanding that allow students to continue learning, creating and growing long after the lesson ends.
… or find out more about what you can learn below
Choose your musical pathway...
Jazz Piano and Contemporary Harmony
chord-scale relationships
modern voicings and colour tones
reharmonisation
comping patterns for band settings
groove, feel and rhythmic interpretation
how to build expressive jazz solos
how to interpret standards in a contemporary way
Everything is taught in clear, simple language — practical, musical and grounded.
Pop Piano and Playing from Chords
read and interpret chord charts
create left-hand patterns that sound full and modern
add tasteful fills and transitions
accompany yourself or others
play confidently in a band
make any song sound like your version
This is contemporary piano at its most accessible and enjoyable.
Blues Piano
12-bar blues forms
blues phrasing
left-hand patterns
stylistic riffs
how blues influences jazz and pop playing
It’s a powerful way to build feel and confidence.
Music Writing & Composition
Bring your musical ideas to life using contemporary harmony and modern technology.
You’ll discover:
- MIDI and virtual instruments
- creative workflows using Logic Pro, Cubase or GarageBand
- arranging and developing ideas
- contemporary harmony and musical structure
- how technology supports creativity and musicianship
Perfect for students who want to write, arrange and produce their own music.
Who I Teach
Adults Returning to Piano
Teenagers
Band Musicians
Church Musicians
Classical Players Who Want To Play Contemporary Music
Serious Hobbyists
Anyone serious about wanting to learn piano and develop their musicianship
Related articles
Contemporary vs Classical Piano — What’s the Difference?
Both approaches are valuable — but they build different skill sets.
Contemporary piano isn’t an easier alternative to classical training — it’s simply a different pathway.
Classical develops incredible discipline and technique.
Contemporary develops harmonic understanding, rhythmic feel, listening skills, improvisation and the ability to create your own sound.
Importantly, this doesn’t mean reading music or learning theory are unimportant. Great contemporary musicians develop reading, ear training, theory, harmony, creativity and performance skills together. The difference is that these skills are learned as practical musical tools rather than isolated academic subjects. The goal isn’t simply to understand music intellectually. It’s to understand it deeply enough that you can express yourself confidently and creatively at the piano.
Both are valid. Each one just leads to a different musical outcome.
More information: Classical versus Contemporary Piano In Detail
More About Contemporary Piano….
When people hear the term contemporary piano, they sometimes wonder what it means.
Put simply, contemporary piano is the language of modern music.
Jazz, blues and pop all sit under this umbrella, along with styles such as soul, funk, gospel, country and contemporary worship music.
While every style has its own sound and vocabulary, they share a common approach to making music.
Unlike the traditional classical pathway, contemporary musicians don’t rely solely on written notation. They often use a combination of sheet music, lead sheets, chord charts, listening skills, ear training and an understanding of harmony.
Reading music remains an important skill, but it sits alongside other equally important abilities such as recognising patterns, understanding chord progressions, playing by ear, improvising and performing with other musicians.
Rather than focusing only on reproducing notes on a page, contemporary musicians learn how music works so they can adapt, create, interpret and communicate through their playing.
In lessons, you’ll develop:
- an understanding of chords and harmony
- the ability to play with groove and rhythmic feel
- confidence reading chord charts and lead sheets
- practical improvisation and creative skills
- the ability to play with other musicians
- stronger listening and ear-training skills
- the confidence to create your own musical voice
Whether your goal is jazz, blues, pop, playing in a band, accompanying singers or simply enjoying music in a more creative way, contemporary piano gives you the tools to make music rather than just reproduce it.
Do You Teach Improvisation?
This is a question I get a lot. Yes — but not in a one-size-fits-all way.
Improvisation sits at the heart of contemporary piano, but it looks different depending on the style.
- In pop and chord-based playing, improvisation shows up as:
- fills
- variations
- subtle changes that make a song your own
- In jazz, improvisation becomes more sophisticated:
- developing melodic ideas over harmony
- understanding chord–scale relationships
- shaping expressive solos
All contemporary piano involves improvisation in some form — and all of it is learnable.
You’re not expected to “just be creative”. You’ll be shown clear, practical ways to build these skills step by step, in a way that actually makes musical sense.
My Teaching Approach
I’ve been teaching people how to play jazz, blues and pop piano for as long as I’ve been performing and working in music.
One of the things I enjoy most is helping people discover the creativity, confidence and enjoyment that music can bring. Whether it’s a student learning their first blues groove, an adult returning to piano after years away, or a musician exploring jazz improvisation, I enjoy helping people grow and develop their own musical voice.
Alongside my work as a performer and musician, I’ve also spent many years designing training programs, coaching individuals, and helping adults learn new skills across a wide range of professional environments. My university studies included adult education, and I also hold a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
That experience has shaped the way I teach.
I’ve learned that effective teaching isn’t about putting every student through the same process. It’s about understanding where they are now, where they want to go, and creating a pathway that helps them progress with confidence.
Some students learn best through structure and clear guidance. Others learn through creativity, experimentation and coaching. Most need a combination of both. My goal is to shape lessons around the way you learn best while helping you develop the skills and understanding needed to become a confident, independent musician.
So whether you’re a beginner, a returning adult, or an experienced player wanting to expand your skills, I’ll meet you where you are and help you move forward with confidence.
My lessons blend:
- clear communication and explanation
- deep musical knowledge and real-world experience in jazz, blues, pop and contemporary styles
- a warm, encouraging teaching style
- structured learning pathways that support steady progress
- real musicianship including groove, feel, expression and creativity
- tailored learning based on your goals, interests and experience
Music isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why every student’s learning journey is slightly different.
> Click For More About My Approach to Learning Contemporary Piano
Why Learn with a Teacher in the Age of YouTube?
Online videos and music platforms are fantastic resources — I use them myself and often recommend them to students. But they can only go so far. They can’t offer what an in-person teacher provides:
- Personalised feedback – you get guidance on your playing, not a generic demonstration.
- Lessons tailored to your goals – whether you want to play in a band, understand harmony, or develop your sound, your lessons are shaped around what you want to achieve.
- A learning style that suits you – some students thrive with structured, formal lessons (especially teenagers). Others prefer a coaching-style approach that adapts week to week. I draw on years of experience as a trainer, coach and mentor to teach in the way that works best for you.
- Accountability and momentum – a teacher helps you stay focused, motivated and progressing.
- A musical partner – someone who listens, responds, challenges you, and helps you grow — something no video can replicate.
Online learning is a great supplement. An in-person teacher helps you turn knowledge into musicianship.