Otha Lewis
Discover classical piano through personalized lessons that emphasize musical nuance and sound technique.
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Otha Lewis
Diploma degree
Enroll after the free trial
Each lesson is 55 min
50 lessons
20% off
/ lesson
30 lessons
15% off
/ lesson
20 lessons
10% off
/ lesson
10 lessons
5% off
/ lesson
5 lessons
-
/ lesson
1 lessons
-
/ lesson
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
Performance Skills
Pedaling Techniques
Piano Technique
Piano Repertoire
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Music theory
Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for Adults
Piano for Kids
Piano for Intermediate
Piano for Advanced
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 reviewed the student's progress on a piano piece, focusing on specific sections to refine phrasing, dynamics, and ornamentation. They worked on broadening the sound in the final section and discussed techniques for differentiating repeated sections. The student was encouraged to record themselves to better analyze their performance and identify areas for improvement.
Tapering Phrases and Smooth Fingering
Lingering and Accelerando in Phrasing
Embellishing Repeated Sections
Grace Notes and Turns
Layering and Broadness in Climaxes
Rushing and Delaying Hands for Expressiveness
The session reviewed music theory concepts such as tonic, dominant, relative minors, and inversions and applied these concepts to playing piano pieces. The Student practiced identifying chords and inversions in musical excerpts and adding bass lines based on tonic and dominant relationships. The assigned homework is to continue practicing the identified pieces using the techniques learned in the session and to complete score studies.
Chord Inversions
Tonic
Dominant
and Subdominant
Fingering and Technique Refinement
Basic Score Analysis: Identifying Tonic and Dominant
Relative vs. Parallel Minor Keys
The student played a piece in B major, and the Tutor provided detailed feedback on form, technique, and musical interpretation. They discussed the ABA structure, rounded binary form, the use of dynamics and tempo, and the concept of tenuto. The next session is planned to continue working on the piece, specifically focusing on the quieter sections.
Binary Form (Simple and Rounded)
Koda (Coda)
Musical Period (Contrasting)
Tempo and Interpretation
Dynamics and Expressiveness
Tenuto
The session covered music theory concepts including major and minor five-finger patterns, and the relationship between major and minor scales focusing on lowering the third. The student practiced identifying these patterns and analyzing a piece (Minuette number two) to understand its structure and key. The next steps include practicing the identified sections of the Minuette and continuing with theory exercises.
Identifying Key Signatures (Flats)
Applying Theory to Performance
Effective Practice Techniques
Minor Five-Finger Patterns
Major Five-Finger Patterns
Identifying Whole and Half Steps
The session covered music theory concepts, including major/minor keys, tonic, dominant, subdominant, and leading tones, with practical applications on the piano. The student analyzed chord progressions and practiced identifying them within musical pieces. Homework includes completing Unit 9 exercises and practicing specific techniques from Opus 599.
Major vs. Minor Key Recognition
Artistic Interpretation of Musical Pieces
Gissando Timing and Execution
Leading Tone
Dominant 7th Chords
Wrist Technique for Repeated Notes
Tonic
Dominant
The session involved a review of music theory concepts related to accidentals, half steps, and whole steps, along with practice and feedback on several piano pieces. The Student began learning a new piece in E major and was assigned exercises focusing on the E major pentascale and Alberti bass patterns. Plans were made to discuss the pieces and new exercises in the next session.
Accidentals: Sharps and Flats
Alberti Bass
Half Steps and Whole Steps
Substitution Fingerings
E Major Pentascale
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Ear Training Software
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Metronome Apps
Virtual Piano Apps
Interactive piano lessons
Open Q&A
Weekend lessons
Parent feedback
Record lessons
Chat for quick help
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.
