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
Music theory
Sight Reading
Chord Theory
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Rhythm and Timing
Piano Technique
Pedaling Techniques
Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for Kids
Piano for Intermediate
Piano for Beginners
Piano for Adults
Piano for Advanced
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 student and tutor reviewed complex rhythmic notation and piano fingering techniques, particularly for challenging chord shapes. They also discussed musical interpretation, focusing on Baroque style, and introduced new pieces for practice, including an exploration of Bach's substitution fingerings.
Rhythmic Interpretation: Syllabic vs. Rhythmic Grouping
Fingering Techniques: Substitution and Optimization
Musicality and Interpretation: Beyond the Notes
Key Signatures and Circle of Fifths
The tutor and student discussed challenges in piano practice and introduced new technical exercises focusing on scales and a specific nocturne piece by John Field. The student will work on these exercises to improve hand positioning, control, and understanding of musical structure.
Finger Rotation and Wrist Positioning
John Field and the Nocturne Style
Endurance Testing Through Repetitive Cycles
The 'Start-Stop' Method for Practice
Developing Left-Hand Spatial Orientation
The student and tutor reviewed musical intervals, including seconds, thirds, fourths, and fifths, and the difference between melodic and harmonic intervals. They also discussed the purpose of natural signs in music notation and analyzed a musical passage for patterns of motion (steps vs. skips, parallel vs. contrary). The student was assigned to continue practicing intervals and to play the second line of a piece for the next session.
Musical Motion: Parallel vs. Contrary
Accidentals: Sharps
Flats
and Naturals
Musical Intervals: Seconds and Thirds
Reading Music: Steps
Skips
and Rhythmic Patterns
The student and tutor reviewed methods for chord identification and analysis in musical scores, including Roman numeral analysis and understanding inversions. They practiced applying these techniques to musical examples and discussed strategies for identifying key signatures and chord qualities. The next steps involve continuing practice with score analysis and further exploring musical theory concepts.
Score Study Strategy: Holistic Approach
Relative vs. Parallel Minors
Chord Inversions
Musical Score Analysis: Roman Numerals
The student and tutor worked on improving piano technique, focusing on left-hand positioning, rhythmic stability, and hand coordination. They practiced specific exercises for fluidity and tension reduction, and the student received guidance on proper fingering and movement between positions, with a plan to refine these techniques for the upcoming week.
Piano Technique: Playing to the Bottom of the Piano
Rhythmic Precision and Hand Independence
Scale and Chord Identification in Context
Articulation and Tone Production
Ergonomic Piano Technique and Habit Correction
Time Signatures: Top and Bottom Numbers
Articulations and Sound Production
Fingerings as Suggestions and Best Fits
Hand Position and Fluidity
Pattern Recognition and Reduction
Musical Motion: Parallel and Contrary
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Metronome Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Ear Training Software
Virtual Piano Apps
Interactive piano lessons
Record lessons
Note taking
Open Q&A
Chat for quick help
Parent feedback
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.