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
Rhythm and Timing
Ear training
Piano Technique
Music theory
Chord Theory
Performance Skills
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for Adults
Piano for Advanced
Piano for Intermediate
Piano for Kids
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
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15 days Refund
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Free Tutor Swap
Piano concepts taught by Otha
The student and tutor reviewed piano exercises from Hannon and Schmidt, focusing on technique and practice strategies. They also explored music theory concepts of tonics and dominants, using examples from classical pieces, and discussed progress on a Bach piece, planning to add phrasing and dynamics in future sessions.
Gesture-Based Playing and Musical Analysis
Major vs. Parallel Minor Five-Finger Patterns
Tonic and Dominant in Music Theory
Repetition and Practice in Piano Technique
The tutor and student reviewed music theory fundamentals, including dotted notes and pick-up measures. They then explored a new, controversial interpretation of metronome markings and its impact on rhythmic counting, practicing with metronome apps. The session concluded with harmonic analysis of a Beethoven piece, focusing on chord progressions and modulations, and reviewing specific fingerings for chord changes.
Dotted Rhythms
Relative Minor and Major Keys
Time Signatures and Meter
Metronome Interpretation and Tempo
Upbeats (Pick-up Measures)
The student and tutor reviewed fundamental piano technique, including posture, hand position, and wrist relaxation, while also beginning to learn sheet music notation. They introduced Czerny's Opus 599 exercises, with the student assigned to practice specific pages for the following week.
Piano Posture and Technique Fundamentals
Introduction to Sheet Music Notation
Reading Notes on the Staff
Cherubini's Opus 599: Finger Independence Exercises
The tutor and student reviewed rhythmic notation, metronome usage for tempo and accuracy, and the subdivision of beats with eighth notes. They practiced clapping exercises and discussed interpreting time signatures, with plans to continue with piano pieces and clap exercises in the next session.
Time Signatures Explained
Eighth Notes and Subdivisions
Rhythm Counting and Articulation
Metronome Fundamentals
The student and tutor worked on piano technique, focusing on improving jumps, chord transitions, and overall expressive playing in musical passages. They applied the concept of a plot pyramid to analyze musical structure and then practiced specific exercises to refine articulation, tone, and dynamic control in challenging sections, with the goal of confident execution.
Horizontal vs. Vertical Movement in Piano Technique
Wrist and Hand Position for Leverage
The Plot Pyramid in Musical Structure
Tamber and Character in Piano Sound
The session covered music theory, focusing on the emotional context of key signatures, modulation techniques using the circle of fifths, and the application of figured bass for chord analysis. The student practiced applying these concepts to a musical piece, working on phrasing, articulation, and achieving a smooth legato sound. Future practice will involve continuing with the current piece and exploring new theoretical units.
Musical Phrasing and Expression
Harmonic Progression and Related Keys
Legato and Articulation on the Piano
Figured Bass and Roman Numeral Analysis
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Virtual Piano Apps
Metronome Apps
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Ear Training Software
Interactive piano lessons
Record lessons
Note taking
Chat for quick help
Parent feedback
Weekend lessons
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.