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
Ear training
Scales and Arpeggios
Piano Repertoire
Performance Skills
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Piano Technique
Chord Theory
CoTutorAI modules
Summary
Podcast
Quiz
Learnings
Flashcard
Spotlight
Zero Risk Guaranteed
15-days refund
Free tutor swap
No cancel fee
1-yr validity
24/7 support
Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for Adults
Piano for Kids
Piano for Advanced
Piano for Beginners
Piano for Intermediate
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 reviewed fundamental piano techniques, including finger numbering, hand positions, and note grouping exercises for both hands. They introduced music notation by identifying the treble and bass clefs and three key notes (G, F, and middle C), and began practicing hands-together coordination. The Student will practice these exercises and note identification for the upcoming week.
Finger Numbering and Hand Position
Counting and Grouping Notes
Treble and Bass Clefs
Hands Together Technique
The tutor and student worked on advanced rhythmic subdivisions and their application to musical pieces, specifically focusing on dotted rhythms and precise quarter-note execution in a march. They practiced counting, clapping, and playing these rhythms, with the student assigned to isolate and practice the left-hand part of the march piece with a metronome.
Metronome Practice and Tempo Stability
Dotted Quarter Note Rhythm
Accidentals: Sharps and Flats on the Staff
Rhythmic Subdivision and Counting
The tutor and student worked on refining piano technique, focusing on specific passages from Chopin's Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 and Czerny's Op. 500. They analyzed execution, fingering, and expressive elements, with plans to continue this work and explore Czerny's "School of Velocity" in future sessions.
Arm and Wrist Movement in Piano Technique
Voicing and Dynamic Balance in Piano Music
Cadenzas and Credential Extensions
Fingering Strategies for Chromatic Passages
The Tutor and Student reviewed the concept of the circle of fifths and its application to key signatures, focusing on the order of sharps and flats and methods for identifying them. They practiced deriving key signatures by moving in fifths and analyzing the role of tendency tones. Future practice will involve applying these concepts to various exercises and working on dynamics.
Constructing Key Signatures: Sharps and Flats
Tendency Tones and Musical Resolution
Circle of Fifths and Key Relationships
The tutor and student reviewed the construction of major and minor scales and methods for identifying key signatures. They practiced rhythmic subdivisions and discussed techniques for playing specific musical passages, with homework likely involving applying these concepts to assigned pieces.
Relative Minor Keys
Major Scale Construction via Tetrachords
Key Signature Identification Rules
Subdivision of Time and Rhythmic Values
The student and tutor reviewed fundamental piano techniques, including posture and body alignment, and explored basic musical concepts like parallel and contrary motion. They practiced rhythmic exercises and applied these concepts to initial musical pieces, with the tutor providing a worksheet for ongoing practice.
Proper Piano Posture
Hand and Finger Positioning
Musical Motion and Intervals
Rhythmic Perception
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Metronome Apps
Ear Training Software
Virtual Piano Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Interactive piano lessons
Record lessons
Open Q&A
Note taking
Parent feedback
Weekend lessons
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.