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
Rhythm and Timing
Pedaling Techniques
Sight Reading
Piano Technique
Music theory
Piano Repertoire
Chord Theory
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Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for kids
Piano for intermediate
Piano for advanced
Piano for adults
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 session focused on piano technique and music theory, with the Student practicing identifying musical patterns using steps and skips. The Student worked on deconstructing complex pieces into simpler melodic lines for easier practice and began coordinating both hands for a new pattern. The Tutor assigned daily practice of the patterns and asked the Student to choose a fun song for future study.
Understanding Steps and Skips in Music
Identifying Core Melodies within Repeating Patterns
Developing Two-Hand Coordination at the Piano
Constructing Melodies through Directional Skips
Student and Tutor continued their piano lesson, reviewing exercises from Opus 802, Opus 599, and Opus 500. They focused on enhancing technique for hand independence and chord changes using structured practice methods like block chords and consistent slow tempos. The Tutor praised the Student's marked improvement in technique on a challenging exercise, and new assignments included Opus 802 number 5, Opus 500 exercise 4, and supplemental practice from Opus 777.
Technique Refinement & Sound Quality (Opus 500)
Developing Hand Independence & Finger Control
Leveraging External Resources for Skill Enhancement
Strategic Exercise Progression (Opus 802 & 599)
Foundational Piano Technique & Practice Strategies
Student and Tutor continued their piano lesson, focusing on assessing the Student's intermediate level and introducing foundational techniques. They reviewed a previous practice piece, correcting fingering and posture, and introduced a structured approach to learning C major scales with a new wrist rotation technique. Homework includes continuing previous pieces, self-studying a new exercise, and starting a ragtime piece with a focus on left-hand note identification.
Introduction to Ragtime: Scott Joplin's "Original Rags"
Correcting Inefficient Fingering & Position Habits
Ergonomic Posture & Tranquil Wrist
Mastering Thumb Tucks with Horizontal Wrist Rotation
Systematic C Major Scale Practice (Full Piano Span)
Student and Tutor dedicated the session to reviewing and refining two piano pieces from Opus 696, focusing on nuanced musicality, rhythmic precision, and expressive techniques. They also discussed the foundational practice of rudiments from Opus 500 for technical development and arranged a subsequent lesson to specifically address a Waltz piece.
Gissando Techniques & Forte Colors
Silence as a Poetic Device
Decay Matching & Warm Attack Technique
Agogic Accent & Tempo Flexibility
Tempo Manipulation & Musical Character
Opus 500: Major Key Disciplines
Student and Tutor discussed piano technique and interpretation for Czerny's Op. 299 and a Nocturne, focusing on specific passages, fingering, pedaling, phrasing, and character. They also reviewed methods for practicing challenging sections and planned to start a Beethoven piece next week. The Student was encouraged to practice performing for others to help with stage nervousness for an upcoming event.
Building Orchestral Sound with Sustained Pedal
Articulating Phrasing with "Breath Marks" and Pedal
Tempo and Comprehension in Piano Practice
Optimizing Wrist Motion for Difficult Passages
Developing Left Hand Stability and Independence
Navigating Poliphony and Chorale Textures
The session was a piano demo lesson where the Tutor evaluated the Student's current skill level and discussed their aspirations in classical and jazz piano. They practiced fundamental right-hand rudiments, discussed left-hand technique, and explored the historical teaching methods of Carl Cherney. The Tutor also provided insight into learning music reading and advanced techniques like arpeggios.
Foundational Rudiments & Ergonomics
The Czerny Pedagogy: A Historical Approach
Developing Rhythm & Sight-Reading
Introduction to Advanced Techniques & Repertoire
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Virtual Piano Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Ear Training Software
Metronome Apps
Interactive piano lessons
Weekend lessons
Note taking
Parent feedback
Record lessons
Open Q&A
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.