Otha Lewis
Discover classical piano through personalized lessons that emphasize musical nuance and sound technique.
Piano lessons - Otha Lewis
Diploma degree
/ 30 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
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.
Your piano teacher skills
Rhythm and Timing
Pedaling Techniques
Piano Technique
Ear training
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Performance Skills
Piano Repertoire
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Piano concept taught by Otha
During her recent piano lesson, Jennifer worked with Mr. Lewis, focusing on refining rhythm and note accuracy in "Journey 599 Number Two." They also introduced Opus 599 Number Three, discussing musical form and various hand techniques. Jennifer's practice assignment for their next lesson includes the second and third pieces from Opus 599.
Whole Notes
Musical Form (A/B Sections)
Contrary Motion
Parallel Motion
Close Technique (Piano)
Mr. Lewis worked with a student from the University of Tampa on rhythm and note values, specifically dotted half notes, and introduced the concept of rests. The learner practiced sight-reading and clapping rhythms in Mozart's "Knocked music" and worked on coordinating both hands in Opus 599, focusing on recognizing intervals and patterns. For homework, the student was assigned to practice the Mozart piece, review lesson four in Opus 500, and send pictures of their notes from lesson three.
Dotted Half Note
Playing Both Hands (Opus 599)
Interval of a Second (Step)
Quarter Rest
Interval of a Third (Skip)
During his piano lesson, Hogan collaborated with Mr. Lewis on enhancing his piano technique, specifically tackling wrist rotation and finger placement challenges in the 599 piece and the Minuet in G. Hogan dedicated time to right-hand crossovers and wrist movements, aiming to alleviate tension and boost fluidity. For his homework, Hogan will practice the initial 16 measures of the Minuet in G, concentrating on wrist movement and accurate finger placement, with the left hand integration planned for their subsequent lesson.
Elevated Wrist & Shoulder Tension
Right Hand Crossover Technique
Wrist Movement vs. Finger Work
Left Hand Wrist Motion
Teacup Pinky & Tension
Mr. Lewis worked with a student from Aurora University on improving rhythm and coordination in piano, focusing on "Arabesque" and "Pastoral." They utilized rhythmic exercises and the "Perfect Ear" app to address challenges with legato/staccato and maintaining a steady pulse. Mr. Lewis also provided guidance on fingering and wrist technique in "Pastoral" to enhance the student's playing, and assigned practice with the metronome and rhythmic subdivisions for the next two weeks.
Eighth Note Subdivision
Fingering for Octave Shifts
Wrist Flexibility for Octaves
Metronome as Pulse
16th Note Subdivision
Mr. Lewis assisted a student with a Chopin piece, focusing on fingering techniques for difficult chords and jumps. The student, who calls The Roads home, worked on wrist rotation exercises and hand positioning to improve accuracy and fluidity. Mr. Lewis recommended listening to John Field's nocturnes and will send some examples for exploration.
Grace Note Coordination
Fingering for Ascending Thirds
Wrist Pivot for Intervals
Chord Rolling Technique
Pivot for Jumps
Mr. Lewis and a learner from Cherry Hill reviewed articulation, note values, and intervals, focusing on applying these concepts to piano playing. The student practiced sight-reading pieces, and Mr. Lewis provided feedback on their technique and understanding of musical notation. For practice, the learner was assigned to identify notes and to work on Opus 500 and 599, concentrating on note identification and fingerings.
Slur Markings
Accent Marks
Dynamic Markings
Dotted Half Note
Intervals (Thirds/Skips)
Bar Lines
Common Time
Ledger Lines
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