Otha Lewis
Discover classical piano through personalized lessons that emphasize musical nuance and sound technique.
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Otha Lewis
Diploma degree
Enroll after the free trial
Each lesson is 55 min
50 lessons
20% off
/ lesson
30 lessons
15% off
/ lesson
20 lessons
10% off
/ lesson
10 lessons
5% off
/ lesson
5 lessons
-
/ lesson
1 lessons
-
/ lesson
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
Pedaling Techniques
Chord Theory
Performance Skills
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Piano Repertoire
Sight Reading
Ear training
Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for Adults
Piano for Kids
Piano for Beginners
Piano for Advanced
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
Flexible Scheduling
Allows 1h early scheduling
Allows 1h early rescheduling
Can wait for 20 mins after joining
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10 day Refund
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Free Tutor Swap
Piano concepts taught by Otha
The tutor and student reviewed musical terminology related to dynamics, tempo, and articulation, using examples from a music book. They practiced identifying and interpreting these markings, with a focus on how they contribute to musical expression and performance. The student will continue practicing these concepts on assigned musical pieces.
Musical Notation Conventions
Articulation Marks
Tempo and Expression Markings
Musical Dynamics
The student and tutor discussed advanced piano techniques, focusing on finger pedaling, interpreting incomplete pedal markings by analyzing musical context, and applying dynamic and articulation variations for expressive phrasing. They also reviewed the student's progress on a specific piece and discussed upcoming theory work.
Musical Texture and Sectional Delineation
Interpreting Unmarked Pedaling
Tempo Modifications: Retardando vs. Ritenuto
Finger Pedaling
The Student and Tutor addressed piano technique, focusing on arm and wrist positioning in Hannon exercises. Rhythm was a key element, working on a Bach piece and breaking it down into measures, and exploring numerical counting to enhance rhythmic precision. The student was assigned to focus on technical exercises to improve smoothness and accuracy and to implement new counting techniques.
Breaking Bad Habits
Effective Practice Strategies
Wrist Flexibility & Arm Position
Rhythm Practice with Subdivisions
The Student and Tutor worked on piano technique, focusing on hand positioning, fingering, and executing specific musical passages with improved fluidity and accuracy. They practiced rhythmic coordination between hands using vocalization and explored music theory concepts like key signatures and scale patterns, with the student assigned to continue working through assigned theory exercises.
Hand Positions and Fingerings
Fingering and Note Accuracy
Musical Gestures and Momentum
Problem-Solving Practice Strategies
Understanding Musical Texture and Motion
The student and tutor reviewed piano exercises, focusing on chord shapes, hand positioning, and identifying melodic lines within chords. They also began discussing key signatures, relative minors, and how to identify major versus minor keys using starting and ending pitches. The student will continue practicing these exercises and work on theoretical concepts from their fundamentals book.
Chord Shape Recognition
Horizontal Compression for Melodic Analysis
Parallel Motion in Music
Relative Minor Keys and Key Signatures
The tutor and student worked on improving piano technique, focusing on fingering, articulation, and gestures within specific musical pieces. They analyzed and adjusted fingerings for efficiency and practiced techniques to achieve lighter, more controlled playing, with plans to continue this focus.
Fingering for Fluidity
The 'Bouncing' Touch
Wrist and Arm Independence
Understanding Edition Variations
Approach & tools used in piano classes
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Ear Training Software
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Virtual Piano Apps
Metronome Apps
Interactive piano lessons
Open Q&A
Note taking
Chat for quick help
Weekend lessons
Parent feedback
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.