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
Sight Reading
Piano Technique
Music theory
Pedaling Techniques
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Performance Skills
Ear training
CoTutorAI modules
Summary
Podcast
Quiz
Learnings
Flashcard
Spotlight
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Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for Advanced
Piano for Beginners
Piano for Adults
Piano for Intermediate
Piano for Kids
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 worked on Piano pieces from Opus 802, 599, and 239, focusing on improving hand coordination, practicing specific chord shapes and fingerings, and refining overall practice methods. The Tutor provided techniques for tackling challenging sections and discussed a structured approach to daily repetitions. Homework includes continued practice on Opus 802 exercises, applying new chord recognition methods to Opus 599 #10, and practicing the duet piece with chords on half notes.
Triad Chord Recognition & Simplified Fingering
Incremental & Repetitive Practice
Targeted Technical Drills for Hand Coordination
Developing Performance & Musical Character
Student and Tutor engaged in a piano lesson, focusing on technical aspects of a piece called "Gillet," including fingering adjustments, chord identification, and proper pedaling techniques. They also initiated new daily practice routines, starting with C major scales across the keyboard and triad inversion exercises to enhance technical proficiency.
Daily C Major Scale Practice: Full Keyboard & Triad Inversions
Scales within a Key Signature (Modal Concept)
Expressive Pedaling Technique
Left-Hand Chord Shapes and Corrections (Gillett)
Right-Hand Fingering Simplification (Gillett)
Student and Tutor worked on various piano exercises from Opus 599, 802, and 239, focusing on improving coordination, finger independence, and musicality. They practiced site reading, identifying musical patterns like parallel and contrary motion, and recognizing notes in both treble and bass clefs. Homework assigned included continuing practice on Opus 599, number 6 and 9, finishing Opus 802, number 2, and beginning Opus 802, number 3, along with an introduction to a Beethoven piece for future study.
Introducing Accidentals & Early Beethoven
Developing Musicality & Expressive Tone
Deconstructing and Practicing Sequences
Mastering Hand Coordination & Finger Gestures
Analyzing Musical Motion (Parallel & Contrary)
The session focused on foundational piano technique, starting with pronunciation and a discussion of ragtime music. The Student practiced five-finger exercises for hand independence and evenness, learning specific wrist and finger techniques. They also began analyzing Czerny Opus 599, Number 1, reviewing musical form, movement types (steps and skips), and rhythmic patterns, with a homework assignment to combine these elements for the piece's initial measures.
Fundamentals of Piano Posture & Technique
Rote Five-Finger Exercises: Patterns & Memory
Understanding Musical Form: Measures & Sections
Effective Fingering: Avoiding Substitution
Musical Movement: Steps
Skips & Rhythmic Perception
The Student and Tutor extensively reviewed piano technique, focusing on efficient wrist and finger motion, correct thumb-under technique in scales, and the pedagogical value of Czerny's exercises. They discussed advanced repertoire and the limitations of certain modern piano method books, with educational follow-up involving practicing specific Czerny studies and considering supplementary works.
The Minuet as a Dance Form
Suites and Partitas: Collections of Dances
Sonata Form: Thematic Structure in Multi-Movement Works
Piano Technique: Wrist and Arm Movement for Fluidity
Five-Finger Scale Technique: Minimal Motion for Maximum Efficiency
Czerny's Fingering Rules: Mastering Thumb Passage
The tutor and student worked through piano exercises and pieces, focusing on finger dexterity, hand technique, and musical sequences. They practiced exercises from Opus 802 and Opus 599, with a plan to revisit more complex pieces and continue developing technique in future lessons.
Hand Position and Thumb Technique
Sequences and Pattern Recognition in Music
Rhythmic Subdivision and Counting
Finger Independence and Dexterity Exercises
Understanding and Practicing Trills
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Ear Training Software
Virtual Piano Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Metronome Apps
Interactive piano lessons
Open Q&A
Weekend lessons
Note taking
Record lessons
Parent feedback
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.