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
Sight Reading
Chord Theory
Ear training
Rhythm and Timing
Scales and Arpeggios
Music theory
Performance Skills
Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for Beginners
Piano for Intermediate
Piano for Advanced
Piano for Kids
Piano for Adults
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
Flexible Scheduling
Allows 1h early scheduling
Allows 1h early rescheduling
Can wait for 20 mins after joining
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10 day Refund
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Free Tutor Swap
Piano concepts taught by Otha
The Tutor and Student worked on a piece by Cherney, focusing on phrasing, dynamics, and rhythmic precision to enhance the musicality of the performance. The Student received specific feedback on hand and arm movements, tempo control, and voicing within chords. The Tutor plans to provide a recording of the piece with the discussed phrasing techniques as a reference for the Student's practice.
Metronome Interpretation: Single Beat vs. Whole Beat
Evenness of Spacing and Continuity
Incorporating Upward Velocity
Chord Voicing and Melodic Emphasis
Phrasing and Breath Mimicry
Climactic Buildup and Hesitation
Phrasing: Nuance in Repetitive Motives
The student and tutor worked on advanced piano technique, focusing on Hannon exercises and a Bach Polonaise. They practiced precise fingerings, hand positions, and introduced a system of annotating the score with brackets to aid in visualizing and practicing positional shifts and sequences.
Bach Polonaise: Navigating Fingerings and Articulation
Hannon Exercise Technique: Ascending and Descending
Score Annotation: Brackets for Positional Awareness
The student and tutor reviewed Unit 11 concepts, focusing on tonic and dominant chords and their relation to scale degrees. They practiced identifying these in musical examples and worked on specific piano technique exercises to improve finger independence and hand posture. The tutor assigned continued practice of these technical exercises.
Piano Finger Technique: Hand and Wrist Movement
Transposing Music
Tonic and Dominant Functions
Roman Numerals and Scale Degrees
The tutor and student focused on advanced piano technique, dissecting complex passages and fingerings in a challenging piece. They worked on improving arm and wrist motion for accuracy and fluidity, with the tutor providing specific instructions for various technical challenges. The session concluded with the introduction of a new study piece for voicing.
Arm and Wrist Technique in Piano Playing
Practice Strategies for Technical Challenges
Fingering Considerations and Modifications
Comparing Composers' Styles: Bach vs. Cherubini
The tutor and student reviewed the student's progress on a minuet piece, focusing on practice strategies and re-acclimation. They then moved to music theory, covering time signatures (3/4, 6/8, and cut time/2/2), rhythmic counting including offbeats, and sight-reading techniques. The student was assigned to practice specific exercises from Opus 599 and the minuet piece, with future sessions planned to cover clapping rhythms and more challenging repertoire.
Understanding Time Signatures and Rhythm
Cut Time (2/2 Time Signature)
Alberti Bass and Hand Dexterity
Site Reading Strategies
The Tutor and Student worked on constructing and identifying five-finger patterns and major/minor triads in music theory. They practiced applying whole and half step patterns to build scales and explored techniques for improving hand coordination and musical phrasing. The next steps involve continuing practice on specific exercises and preparing for recording assignments.
Whole and Half Steps
Constructing Five-Finger Patterns (Major)
Parallel Minor Five-Finger Patterns
Triads: Major and Minor
Musical Motion: Parallel
Contrary
and Oblique
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Virtual Piano Apps
Ear Training Software
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Metronome Apps
Interactive piano lessons
Weekend lessons
Open Q&A
Record lessons
Note taking
Chat for quick help
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.