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

Otha graduated from Fresno City College

Your piano teacher skills

Chord Theory icon

Chord Theory

Performance Skills icon

Performance Skills

Pedaling Techniques icon

Pedaling Techniques

Piano Repertoire icon

Piano Repertoire

Sight Reading icon

Sight Reading

Finger Placement & Hand Position icon

Finger Placement & Hand Position

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Music theory

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Types of learners for piano lessons

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Piano for beginners

Piano for intermediate icon

Piano for intermediate

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Piano for kids

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Piano for advanced

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Piano for adults

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

Piano

Grand Piano

Grand Piano

Digital Piano

Digital Piano

Upright Piano

Upright Piano

Classical Piano

Classical Piano

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Piano concepts taught by Otha

Student learned about 11 hours ago

The Student and Tutor reviewed several piano pieces, including Czerny Opus 299 Numbers 5 and 6, Czerny Opus 365 Number 1, and Beethoven's Sonata Op. 13 "Pathétique." They focused on technical execution, interpretative approaches like "leger non legato," metronome practice for tempo control, and the impact of pedaling on phrasing. The Student was encouraged to continue practicing these pieces with specific technical and interpretative adjustments in preparation for an upcoming assessment.

Mastering Tempo and Control in Piano Performance

Historical Performance Practice: Tempo and Pedal in Beethoven

Strategic Practice for Piano Etudes and Studies

Achieving Leggero (Lightness) and Right-Hand Technique

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Student learned 1 day ago

The Student and Tutor reviewed several piano pieces, including Opus 299, 802, and 599. They discussed music theory concepts such as diminished chords and intervals, and practiced finger independence exercises, advanced fingering techniques, and controlled tempo. The Tutor assigned specific exercises from Opus 802 and 599 for the Student to focus on during the week, emphasizing slow practice and developing hand flexibility.

Long-Term Skill Retention through Practice & Sleep

Diminished Chords and Resolution

Advanced Finger Independence & Hand Flexibility

Deliberate Practice: Tempo & Voicing

Efficient Fingering for Runs (Opus 299)

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Student learned 4 days ago

Student and Tutor reviewed existing piano exercises from Opus 802 and Opus 599, discussing challenges and progress. The Tutor introduced a new Czerny etude, Opus 299 Number 1, breaking down its structure and fingerings for scale practice. Student was assigned this new piece for practice, with a clean score to be provided by the Tutor.

Czerny's Foundational Piano Method

Scale Fingering Rotations (Czerny Op. 299

No. 1)

Developing Hand Independence & Keyboard Awareness

Effective Practice Strategies

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Student learned 5 days ago

The Student and Tutor focused on refining piano technique, practicing C major scales and arpeggios with an emphasis on smooth wrist motion and specific fingerings. They also explored a new method for playing octaves efficiently and delved into the form and structure of ragtime music using "Original Rags." Additionally, the Tutor assessed the Student's understanding of key signatures and introduced left-hand stride patterns, assigning daily practice of these techniques along with continued work on Opus 599.

C Major Scale Technique Refinement

C Major Arpeggio Fingerings & Wrist Motion

Ragtime Piece Form & 'Original Rags' Structure

Advanced Repeated Octave Technique

Ragtime Left-Hand Stride Technique

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Student learned 5 days ago

Student and Tutor re-established their lesson plan for piano, beginning with foundational rudiments for identifying notes and practicing five-finger patterns in both hands. The Tutor introduced Czerny's Opus 599 as the core pedagogical material. For follow-up, the Student was assigned to practice the discussed rudiments, obtain Czerny's Opus 599, and write out the note names for the first eight measures of the first piece for verification.

Essential Piano Posture & Hand Shape

Keyboard Navigation: Note Identification & Octaves

Five-Finger Piano Rudiments (Right Hand)

Five-Finger Piano Rudiments (Left Hand) & Hand Shifting

Rhythm & Pulse Internalization

Cherney's Method: Etudes

Opus Numbers

& Motion

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Student learned 6 days ago

Student and Tutor engaged in a detailed piano lesson, primarily focusing on the musical interpretation of Czerny's Opus 299, Etude 1, and a section of a waltz piece. They practiced dynamics, phrasing, and the use of agogic accents in the etude, and discussed nuanced pedaling and tempo considerations for the waltz. The Student was assigned to extensively practice a specific section of the waltz with different pedaling approaches for the next session.

Applying Dynamic Nuances to Thematic Sections

Narrative Dynamics and Agogic Accents

Waltz Tempo and Expressive Pedaling (Opus 500)

Reinterpreting Czerny's Opus 299: Beyond Speed

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Approach & tools used in piano classes

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Chord & Scale Reference Apps

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Virtual Piano Apps

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PDF Sheet Music Libraries

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Ear Training Software

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Metronome Apps

Interactive piano lessons

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Note taking

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Parent feedback

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Record lessons

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Chat for quick help

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Weekend lessons

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