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

Otha graduated from Fresno City College

Your piano teacher skills

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Sight Reading

Piano Technique icon

Piano Technique

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Pedaling Techniques

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Piano Repertoire

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Rhythm and Timing

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Performance Skills

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Ear training

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Learnings

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Types of learners for piano lessons

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Piano for Adults

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Piano for Kids

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Piano for Beginners

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Piano for Intermediate

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Piano for Advanced

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

Piano

Grand Piano

Grand Piano

Digital Piano

Digital Piano

Upright Piano

Upright Piano

Classical Piano

Classical Piano

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Piano concepts taught by Otha

Student learned 1 day ago

The Student and Tutor reviewed the Student's piano practice on the March and Czerny exercises, and introduced Bach Inventions. They worked on refining B major scale technique, focusing on efficient finger and wrist movement, and addressed coordination issues in contrary motion. The session included resolving audio difficulties to improve piano sound transmission and outlining continued practice on Czerny exercises and the first Bach Invention.

Ergonomic B Major Scale Technique

Coordinated Parallel & Contrary Motion

Thorough Czerny Practice & Sequencing

Bach Inventions: Fingering & Interpretation

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Student learned 3 days ago

The Student and Tutor worked on piano pieces, starting with a review of Opus 696 number 2 and an introduction to Opus 696 number 3, including detailed rhythmic analysis using 'food words' and left-hand connection techniques. They also reviewed the Student's etude, which showed significant improvement in musicality. For future work, they planned to approach Chopin's Waltz in C# Minor and a new etude (Opus 754 number 5) focusing on 'floral pianism,' for which they developed initial fingerings. The Student was assigned to acquire a specific edition of the Chopin Waltz and practice the new etude's right-hand passage.

Introduction to Floral Pianism & Advanced Deconstruction

Advanced Fingering Strategies

Rhythmic Subdivision with "Food Words"

Expressive Dynamics & Touch Control

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Student learned 3 days ago

The Student and Tutor worked on piano technique, focusing on rhythmic counting for triplets in Opus 802 and refining hand positions for five-finger patterns and arpeggios in Opus 599. The Tutor introduced a new method for identifying and building three-note chord shapes. The Student was assigned to apply these chord recognition techniques to Opus 599, Exercise 10, and continue practicing rhythmic counting exercises.

Accordion/Slinky Hand Gesture for Piano

Accents and Musical Emphasis

Rhythmic Subdivision and Triplets

Identifying Chord Shapes (Even

Pinch

Gap)

Left Hand Stability and Phrasing Structure

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Student learned 3 days ago

Student and Tutor worked on piano technique and musical interpretation using pieces from Opus 299 number four and Nocturne number nine. They focused on phrasing, dynamics (including achieving different levels of forte and piano), and left-hand character. Homework includes practicing specific examples from Cherney's Opus 500 to develop a broader dynamic palette and applying marcato accents.

Czerny's Foundational Principles for Pianists (Opus 599)

Developing a Mature & Communicative Sound

Interpreting Musical Movement and Accents

Left-Hand Voicing and Preparation

Dynamic Control & Expressive Power

Phrasing & Articulation in Opus 299 No. 4

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Student learned 4 days ago

Student and Tutor reviewed music theory concepts including key signatures, major scale construction, triads, dynamics, and the expressive interpretation of tempo markings. They then focused on piano technique, practicing two-hand coordination and addressing specific fingering and wrist movement challenges in pieces from Opus 500, Opus 239, and Opus 599. The Student was assigned to review dynamics and tempo indications, practice specific difficult sections, and complete a related crossword puzzle.

Targeted Practice for Piano Proficiency

Wrist Versatility and Efficient Fingering

Tempo as Expressive Character

Musical Dynamics and Italian Terms

Major Triad Construction & Tetra chords

Key Signatures and Relative Minors

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Student learned 5 days ago

Student and Tutor reviewed piano practice, analyzing arpeggiations and chord inversions. They identified G major as a foundational scale for a piece in E minor and worked on piano technique, specifically wrist stability and thumb crossing. The session also involved a detailed analysis of a new piece, focusing on chord identification, a simplified rhythmic counting strategy for complex time signatures, and extensive corrections to problematic fingerings. For follow-up, the student will practice the G major scale in both hands and continue working on the new piece with the discussed fingering and rhythmic approaches.

Arpeggios and Chord Inversions

Simplified Counting for Complex Time Signatures

Ergonomic Fingering in Music

Thumb Cross-Under in Scales

Quiet Wrist Technique for Scales

Relative Keys and Scale Practice

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Approach & tools used in piano classes

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Metronome Apps

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PDF Sheet Music Libraries

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Virtual Piano Apps

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Chord & Scale Reference Apps

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Ear Training Software

Interactive piano lessons

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Chat for quick help

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Open Q&A

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Weekend lessons

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Note taking

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Parent feedback

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