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
Performance Skills
Chord Theory
Piano Technique
Piano Repertoire
Sight Reading
Music theory
Rhythm and Timing
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Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for advanced
Piano for beginners
Piano for adults
Piano for kids
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 practiced piano technique and musical interpretation, specifically focusing on score following, dynamics, and expressive performance choices. They worked on exercises from Opus 599 and 802, emphasizing left-hand stability, hand coordination, and navigating black key passages. For homework, the Student will continue practicing the current exercises and work through the remaining parts of 802 number eight.
Hand Positioning for Black Keys and Fingering Adherence
Score Reading and Performance Interpretation
Nuance and Narrative in Performance
Effective Practice Strategies
Strategic Score Marking and Melodic Focus
Progressive Learning and Avoiding Autopilot
The Tutor and Student addressed challenging right-hand piano fingerings in a Chinese song, exploring alternative scale rotations and chord voicings. They extensively practiced C major scales and chord inversions from Opus 500, focusing on evenness, rhythm subdivision, and refining wrist technique. Homework included slow, repetitive practice of these scales and pieces, with a future discussion planned on improvisation to create customized piece endings.
Foundational Piano Technique & Hand Mechanics
Musical Improvisation & Ending Techniques
Left Hand Scale Fingering
Rhythmic Subdivision and Interpretation
Advanced Piano Fingering Strategies
Student and Tutor focused on interpreting a Corale from Opus 696, discussing techniques for dynamic control, slurring, and tempo to achieve expressive character. They also began exploring a new piece, Opus 696 No. 10, focusing on left-hand technique to create layered bell tones without the pedal. Student was assigned reading Chapters 5-8 of Opus 500, Part 3, to prepare for more advanced interpretive concepts and future pieces.
Slurring and Connected Tone Production (Without Pedal)
Tempo and Character in Interpretation
Czerny's Interpretive Principles (Opus 500 Part 3)
Preparatory Studies: Czerny's Opus 200 'School of Preluding'
Bell Tone Effect and Voice Layering
Expressive Dynamics: Morendo
Tenuto
and Silence
The Student and Tutor recalibrated the Student's piano practice routine. They introduced Carl Czerny's Opus 802, focusing on five-finger exercises and pattern description, and began working on a piece from Czerny's Opus 500, analyzing sequences and hand positions. The Student was advised to practice specific patterns from Opus 802 five times daily and will receive new editions for Opus 802 and Opus 500 as homework.
Repetition: Forging Foundational Technique
Proactive Approach to the Intermediate Plateau
Understanding Relative Hand Motion: Parallel & Contrary
Opus 500: Longer Pieces
Flexible Positions & Sequences
Precision in the 'Baton Pass' Hand-Off
Describing Musical Patterns: Beyond Notes
Daily Foundational Practice Triad
The Student and Tutor reviewed piano practice progress, focusing on five-finger exercises and chord development. They discussed optimal finger placement and established a structured daily practice routine for exercises from Opus 802. The session also covered technical points for Opus 599 and introduced new descending exercises from Opus 500, with an emphasis on rhythm and fingering. The Student was encouraged to continue assigned pieces and explore Opus 139 for advanced sight-reading.
Structured 5-Finger Pattern Practice
Daily Practice Discipline & Strategy
Optimizing Hand Position for Black Keys
Developing Internal Rhythm and Timing
Navigating Archaic Fingering Notation
The Student and Tutor addressed technical issues before reviewing the Student's progress on piano exercises #5 and #10 from Opus 599. They practiced C major scales with a focus on efficient hand setting and wrist technique, and explored C major chord inversions with specific fingerings. The Student was assigned to continue practicing these exercises, progress to Opus 599 #11, and begin a new piece, 'Original Rags', next week.
Hand Setting & Efficient Movement
Practical Chord Shapes: Pinch & Gap
C Major Scale: Refined Wrist & Thumb Technique
Practical C Major Chord Inversions & Fingering
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Virtual Piano Apps
Metronome Apps
Ear Training Software
Interactive piano lessons
Weekend lessons
Chat for quick help
Record lessons
Note taking
Open Q&A
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