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
Ear training
Chord Theory
Music theory
Sight Reading
Piano Repertoire
Piano Technique
Scales and Arpeggios
AI modules
Summary
Podcast
Quiz
Learnings
Flashcard
Spotlight
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1-yr validity
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Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for advanced
Piano for adults
Piano for intermediate
Piano for kids
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
Student and Tutor continued their work on several piano pieces for ABRSM exams. They focused on refining technique for Opus 365 scales and exercises, addressing right and left-hand stiffness, economic motion, and consistent gestures. The session also included an in-depth discussion and practice on stylistic pedaling and left-hand technique for Maple Leaf Rag, with a strong recommendation for the Student to practice recording their pieces for self-assessment. They also reviewed ABRSM Number 8, focusing on maintaining evenness and consistent tempo, and discussed practicing with a metronome.
Overcoming Performance Anxiety Through Recording
Maple Leaf Rag: Stylistic Pedaling & Left Hand Technique
Opus 365
No. 2: Right Hand Economy & Turnaround
Opus 365
No. 1: Scale Practice & Refinement
Metronome Practice for Rhythmic Precision
Strategic Tempo Selection for Consistency
Student and Tutor reviewed parallel motion and fundamental piano technique, including wrist position and quiet finger movement. They then delved into music theory, focusing on treble and bass clefs, identifying G-line and Middle C, and distinguishing between line and space notes to understand steps and skips. The Student applied these reading skills to identify notes in 'Opus 823, No. 1', and was assigned to continue note identification and begin practice on 'Opus 823, No. 2' and 'Opus 802, No. 1'.
Parallel Motion in Piano Playing
Essential Piano Technique: Wrist & Finger Quietness
Understanding Music Clefs: Treble and Bass
Fundamental Note Identification: G-line & Middle C
Reading Notes on the Staff: Line vs. Space Notes
Navigating the Staff: Steps
Skips
and Direction
Student and Tutor focused on refining piano technique, note reading, and rhythmic accuracy across several etudes and a rag piece. They worked on specific wrist movements for repeated intervals, clarified notation for simultaneous notes, and addressed common reading errors in a B section. The session also covered foundational left-hand patterns in ragtime and included a mental exercise for improving left-hand stride accuracy without looking at the keyboard.
Wrist Rotation Technique for Smoothness
Reading Stacked Notes and Rhythmic Precision
Left Hand Bassline Patterns (Root & Chord Structures)
Strategic Fingering for Complex Passages
Developing Hand Versatility & Mental Mapping
Student and Tutor worked on piano technique, reviewing fingering and hand positioning for Czerny Op. 802 No. 15 and Op. 500 Example 11. They also focused on musicality, dynamics, and phrasing in Czerny Op. 500, including interpreting Italian tempo markings and understanding strong/weak beats. Student was assigned to continue practicing these pieces, exploring extreme dynamics and efficient arm gestures, and was given a new piece (Op. 500 Example 10) to begin.
Phrasing
Dynamics & Form in 3/4 Time
Efficient Hand Movement & Arching Technique
Interpreting Tempo Markings & Subdivision Articulation
Specialized Hand Shaping for Chords
Proactive Fingering & Hand Positioning
The class focused on piano instruction, starting with rhythmic counting and hand coordination practice for piece 802 number 3. Student and Tutor then transitioned to piece 599, emphasizing note reading strategies, tempo control, and identifying notes across broader intervals. The Student was assigned to write down the names of notes for piece 599 number 5 as homework.
Rhythmic Grouping & Counting Aids
Comprehensive Note Reading Strategies
Controlled Practice Tempo for Mastery
Expanding Hand Positions & Large Intervals
Hand Coordination: The 'Baton Pass'
Recognizing Musical Repetition & Form
Student and Tutor had a piano lesson, focusing on advanced fingering techniques, hand positions, and interpretation of specific exercises from Opus 802 and Opus 599. They practiced various chord stretches, chromatic passages, and discussed optimal wrist and hand movements for challenging pieces. The Student was encouraged to treat Opus 802 as an assessment for Book One, practicing repetitions, and was assigned to continue with Opus 599, number 2, next week.
Deliberate Practice Strategies for Technical Mastery
Music Theory Foundations: Intervals and Chords
Dynamic Fingering and Hand Position for Advanced Passages
Optimal Wrist and Hand Posture for Comfort and Control
Achieving Unified Chord Voicing and Articulation
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Virtual Piano Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Metronome Apps
Ear Training Software
Interactive piano lessons
Weekend lessons
Chat for quick help
Open Q&A
Record lessons
Note taking

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