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
Piano Technique
Rhythm and Timing
Pedaling Techniques
Chord Theory
Music theory
Performance Skills
Ear training
CoTutorAI modules
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Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for Intermediate
Piano for Adults
Piano for Kids
Piano for Beginners
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
Grand Piano
Digital Piano
Upright Piano
Classical Piano
Piano concepts taught by Otha
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.
Suites and Partitas: Collections of Dances
Five-Finger Scale Technique: Minimal Motion for Maximum Efficiency
Czerny's Fingering Rules: Mastering Thumb Passage
Piano Technique: Wrist and Arm Movement for Fluidity
Sonata Form: Thematic Structure in Multi-Movement Works
The Minuet as a Dance Form
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
Student and Tutor continued their work on various piano pieces, including a Nocturne, a short piece from Opus 500, and etudes from Opus 299. They focused on refining fingering, understanding rhythmic complexities, applying dynamic contrasts, and interpreting musical structure. Homework was assigned to develop the left-hand fingering for the Opus 500 piece, explore dynamics in Opus 299 #4, and begin working on Opus 299 #5, alongside addressing specific rhythmic and voicing challenges in the Nocturne.
Voicing and Top Line Emphasis
Dynamic and Structural Interpretation of Pieces
Efficient Fingering & Hand Shapes for Chords
Rhythmic Precision in Compound Meters
Optimized Scale and Ornament Technique
The Student and Tutor extensively reviewed piano technique and Czerny etudes, focusing on fingering challenges, wrist position, and hand expansion. They addressed the interpretation of historical tempo markings and practiced specific difficult passages with corrected fingerings. The Student was assigned to continue practicing identified problem areas in Czerny Opus 599 and 802, and to listen to Czerny's Opus 754 for musical context.
Mastering Wrist & Hand Position
Effective Fingering & Hand Expansion
Interpreting Tempo Markings (Allegretto)
Targeted Practice Strategies for Efficiency
Contextual Sight-Reading & Musical Patterns
The Student and Tutor focused on a new piano piece, "Autumn Sketch," analyzing its rhythm in 3/4 time and extensively working through fingerings for both left and right hands. They covered various measures, particularly intricate scale passages, refining finger placements for comfort and execution. The Student was encouraged to practice the rhythm carefully and listen to recordings of the piece.
Rhythm and Meter in 3/4 Time (Waltz)
Left-Hand Fingering Strategies
Right-Hand Fingering for Scales and Sequences
Identifying Musical Repetitions and Structure
Accurate Quarter Note Duration and Metronome Practice
The Student and Tutor introduced new C major scale exercises, focusing on proper fingering and rotation techniques for both hands, which is fundamental for future advanced repertoire. They also reviewed previous etudes, specifically Czerny Opus 599 No. 16, and discussed refining pinky and forward momentum techniques. For follow-up, the Student was assigned to practice the new scales and continue working on Opus 802 and Opus 599 No. 16.
Comprehensive Scale Mastery Pathway (Chérny's Method)
Foundational C Major Scale Practice (Chérny's Method)
Right Hand C Major Scale Technique: Ascending & Descending
Left Hand C Major Scale Technique: Ascending & Descending
Refining Technique in Czerny Opus 599 No. 16
Daily Practice Discipline & Repetitions
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Virtual Piano Apps
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Metronome Apps
Ear Training Software
Interactive piano lessons
Chat for quick help
Weekend lessons
Parent feedback
Record lessons
Open Q&A
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.