Otha Lewis
Discover classical piano through personalized lessons that emphasize musical nuance and sound technique.
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Otha Lewis
Diploma degree
/ 55 min
Otha - Your piano teacher
My name is Otha Lewis, an American piano teacher of 7 years teaching students in both in personal and remote capacities. I hold an Associate's Degree in Piano Performance, soon graduating with a Bachelor's from California State University - Northridge. My approach to teaching ensures that students are an active participant in their learning not just at home in the practice room or executing the performance of a piece, but understanding and critically thinking about their intent, musicality, and process. I have learned that progress happens best when a student of any level has a well-rounded understanding of multiple musical facets: history, theory, ear training, rote, technique, creativity. Every student requires a unique approach, simultaneously tuned to their strengths and improving their weaknesses. Come join me in exploring the world of music! Let's grow together as musicians!
Otha graduated from Fresno City College
Your piano teacher skills
Chord Theory
Piano Technique
Sight Reading
Pedaling Techniques
Music theory
Piano Repertoire
Finger Placement & Hand Position
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Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for kids
Piano for advanced
Piano for adults
Piano for intermediate
Piano for beginners
Piano lessons at a glance
Anyone can read a method book and attempt to apply it. I did so for 17 years before I ever sat in front of a piano teacher, internalizing the good and the bad that comes without a guide or professional direction. Of the good comes my approach to teaching, relating back to the steps I took to learn by repetition and rote, and further developing upon such a foundation with the invaluable information and practice I continue to received in my college education. Not only must a student graduate from levels of piano playing through any number of methods to evaluate progress, they must do so with a thorough comfort in multiple levels of execution. Here, I separate my approach from other teachers, favoring constructive methods of the 19th century to supplement the modern pedagogical practice. My curriculum has served over 50 students, tailored to suit students of all levels and ages, and aims to remain as open as a possible to develop supplementary material as needed, composing exercises for a specific need if warranted.
Different types of piano lessons
Piano
Grand Piano
Digital Piano
Upright Piano
Classical Piano
Piano concepts taught by Otha
The Student and Tutor focused on practicing a piano piece, specifically addressing challenging sections involving parallel and opposite motion, note identification, and proper fingering. The Student practiced overcoming hesitation in difficult measures through slow, repeated exercises. For follow-up, the Student was encouraged to continue practicing these specific sections and mark their score for clarity, in preparation for moving on to a new piece next week.
Targeted Practice Strategies
Understanding Musical Motion: Parallel & Opposite
Interval Recognition: Steps & Skips
Proper Fingering & Hand Posture
Marking the Score for Clarity
Student and Tutor reviewed several piano pieces, including Opus 802 numbers 5 and 6, Opus 599 number 19, and Opus 20 focusing on Alberti bass. They also introduced a new piece from Opus 500 centered on playing sixths. The Student was advised to practice difficult sections separately and reinforce hand independence for homework.
Controlled Tempo & Musicality
Structural Grouping in Reading
Mastering Mobile Alberti Bass (Opus 20)
Prioritizing Notes Over Fingerings
The Sixth Interval Hand Shape (Opus 500 New Piece)
Hand Independence Through Disjointed Fingerings (Opus 500 Old Piece)
The Student and Tutor reviewed the Student's progress on piano pieces T99 numbers 6 and 7, focusing on technique and musicality. They then extensively analyzed rhythmic precision, tempo interpretation, and the character of the second movement of Beethoven's Pathétique Sonata. The Tutor assigned the homework of refining current pieces, practicing the Pathétique movement at different tempos, and exploring Czerny exercises for sight-reading.
Refined Hand Technique & Metronome Practice
Addressing Sectional Cohesion & Difficult Fingerings
Developing Thematic Sight-Reading Skills
Mastering Complex Rhythms: Pathetique II Metronome & Counting
Artistic Tempo & Expressive Interpretation
Precise Ornamentation Timing
Student and Tutor addressed challenges in piano technique, specifically focusing on octave changes, crossover movements for scales, and efficient playing of repeated notes across various pieces. They practiced specific fingerings and wrist flexibility exercises, discussing rhythmic accuracy and metronome use for practice. The Student was assigned to continue working on measures 1-8 of Opus 299/500, Opus 802 #9, and Opus 599 #17 for homework.
Crossover Technique: Descending Scales (Opus 802)
Crossover Technique: Ascending Scales (Opus 802)
Interpreting Octave Signs (8va) in Sheet Music
Developing Wrist Freedom for Repeated Notes (Opus 802
No. 9)
Mastering Rhythmic Accuracy with Metronome and Subdivisions (Opus 599
No. 16)
The Student and Tutor worked on piano technique and sight-reading, focusing on ragtime pieces and exercises from Opus 802, Opus 599, and Original Rags. They discussed proper tempo for ragtime, chord analysis using "pinch" and "gap" terminology, and developed a "springboard" technique for left-hand leaps. The Student was advised to organize their sheet music, continue practicing assigned pieces, and download a specific edition of Opus 599 for improved fingerings.
Ragtime Tempo & Classical Roots
Effective Practice Organization
Chord Shape Identification: Gap & Pinch
Effortless Wrist Springboarding Technique
Strategic Fingering for Efficiency
Student and Tutor focused on practicing several piano pieces and etudes, including exercises 802, 11-15, and pieces 299, 59920, and 2018. They worked on finger independence, scale passages, rhythmic accuracy with a metronome, and specific articulation techniques involving wrist and arm weight. The Student received feedback on refining fingering and developing gestural playing, with a plan to continue practicing these pieces and explore more complex rhythms in upcoming assignments.
Gesture-Based Playing: The 'No-Look' Technique
Strategic Sectional Practice for Complex Pieces
Cultivating Expressive Articulation with Wrist and Arm Weight
Precision in Rhythm and Metronome Practice
Mastering Finger Independence with Hanon Exercises
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Virtual Piano Apps
Ear Training Software
Metronome Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Interactive piano lessons
Record lessons
Note taking
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Parent feedback
Open Q&A
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