Learn to play piano/jazz piano and keyboards
Learn to compose
Learn to use ‘Logic’ and ‘GarageBand’ (sequencing and recording programs)
Get advice on the sound of your music room/studio
Take part in jazz workshops
Dave offers tuition from 3 different studios, including the new ‘Piano Cabin’ with Learn Piano, and ‘Piano Lessons Studio’ in Roath, Cardiff. Please contact these via the buttons further below.
He also teaches online using FaceTime, Skype, Zoom etc., and is able to make visits for lessons/consultations when needed - in these cases, travel time and fuel costs need to be added to the lesson fee.
Learning can be achieved with or without exams from e.g. ABRSM, London College of Music, and Rockschool (RSL), Dave is also able to assist with study for GCSE, A Level, and degree courses, and with University/Conservatoire/College interviews and auditions.
Dave has also designed, authored, and taught undergraduate modules in Music for the University of South Wales and University of Wales Trinity Saint David, including a 3rd year Improvisation module.
His qualifications include a postgraduate MA specialising in aspects of performance, composition and jazz piano, a PGCE (PCET) teaching qualification, and a G.Mus degree.
“I was lucky enough to come across Dave online when looking for a teacher to guide me through my Grade 8 Jazz Piano Exam (London College of Music). I had been learning with a piano school in London, but was looking for some intensive individual tuition that didn’t break the bank. Coming to Dave was 100% the best decision I could have made. In one month of online lessons, he guided me through all aspects of the exam - from advising on my arrangements to improvising and walking me through the history and context of the tunes I had chosen. He went above and beyond to give me tips, ideas, and feedback on my playing and was calm, reassuring and highly supportive throughout. I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to improve their playing and knowledge of jazz.”
(Katie H, piano student - Grade 8 Distinction, Jazz Piano, 2023).
“Dave is an excellent teacher. Friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. He is patient and encouraging. He has helped my daughter [Macie, ABRSM Grade 5] develop her skills and also a love of the piano.” (Sharon, parent)
“I was looking for a piano tutor that could teach two of my children in the same 45 minute/1-hour lesson. They are of a different age and ability. Dave had the perfect plan for me. Excellent price and a great teacher! Both of them thoroughly enjoy the lessons and have progressed at a great pace with Dave’s detailed yet fun approach to music and piano. I highly recommend!” (Chris, parent)
“With Dave’s help, I achieved a distinction in ABRSM Jazz Piano Grade 1. We had weekly lessons online for about two months preceding the exam. The online lessons worked much better than I expected, it was almost like we were in the same room, and of course more convenient. I had no experience of jazz, having done classical exams previously, and I benefited from Dave’s knowledge of how to polish a jazz performance, and the fundamentals of improvisation. Dave has experience of the ABRSM exams and so gave me hints and tips for how to approach the aural tests, scales and sight-reading, and gave me a mock exam in the week before the real thing, which made me feel confident on the day. Thank you Dave, it was my first ever distinction!” (James, student)
Testimonials
I have been having online jazz piano lessons (and some face-to-face lessons) with Dave for six years, since I was twelve. I have taken ABRSM Grade 5 jazz piano and LCM Grade 8 jazz piano, and for both exams I achieved Distinction. I can now improvise fluently from ‘lead sheet’ music and have a sound understanding of jazz chords and scales. We also turn pop songs in to jazzy piano solos through the discussion of style and scale choices. I find that his explanations about the history of jazz and the composers we're studying are presented in an interesting, story-like way, which I enjoy. Dave has mentored me through these years, and I have grown in confidence. He has helped me with my school music studies and my compositions, as well as preparing for university interviews. I have now played at a local restaurant and also play for a male voice choir. I am looking forward to studying music at university and joining their jazz band.
Agnes Pottage (piano student)
“I had been playing the piano for years, but I started lessons with Dave to expand my skills and learn some jazz. Initially in person but more recently online, which works a lot better than I imagined. And wow, what a journey it's been! Dave has taught me so much about chords, scales, improvisation, and how to put these things together to sound good! He has helped me with everything from jazz standards to Chopin Nocturnes, pop covers, recording, and more. He's a talented player and composer, and as a teacher he is kind, encouraging, endlessly patient, and super knowledgeable. He has an enthusiasm for music that is very contagious. I can't recommend him enough!”
— Billy Bromley (piano student)
“I have had the privilege of being a student of Dave Jones for about 18 months. During the pandemic this has been a mixture of online and face to face lessons. When I first met this modest and amiable man, he took the time to learn about me and my goals before helping me to plot a way to reach each one. I was a complete beginner and Dave has demonstrated infinite patience with my attempts to assimilate his teachings. His guidance and focused tuition have helped me to progress and I find myself starting on the ABRSM grade 3 Jazz syllabus, with my enthusiasm growing and building with every lesson. He is not just an exceptional pianist with a graceful skill, but he has encyclopaedic knowledge spanning all conceivable aspects of the piano, across all of its styles and iterations, and I find myself learning about new artists, techniques, interpretations and arrangements in every lesson. His infectious enthusiasm for music has certainly passed on to me, and I find myself with the best guide to all these new discoveries. He now has a new purpose-built piano teaching room, with great acoustics - Y Caban Piano (The Piano Cabin), at which I had the singular honour of being the first student. It is easily found, just 3 to 4 minutes from Tesco in Port Talbot - a very short but pleasant drive up the Afan Valley. I cannot recommend Dave highly enough, and whatever your level or background, he will have the ability to enhance your love and appreciation of the piano.”
Dr. Russell Clarke (piano student)
Dave authored a series of jazz piano lessons for ‘Pianist’ magazine, in the shape of written articles, accompanied by online video demonstrations of how to play the notated examples in the magazine. N.B. The videos aren’t meant to be lessons in themselves - you need to buy the particular issues of the magazine (hard copy or digital) and read the articles, and then watch the demonstration videos, otherwise it won’t make much sense.
