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
Piano Repertoire
Piano Technique
Chord Theory
Performance Skills
Scales and Arpeggios
Rhythm and Timing
Ear training
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 Beginners
Piano for Intermediate
Piano for Kids
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
Piano concepts taught by Otha
The tutor and student reviewed basic music theory, including clefs and note identification on the staff. They practiced distinguishing between line and space notes, and introduced the concepts of moving in steps and skips with the right and left hands respectively. The session also began teaching a new song, focusing on coordinating both hands with different movements and rhythmic patterns.
Coordination: Playing with Two Hands
Musical Motion: Steps and Skips
Note Placement on the Staff: Lines and Spaces
Musical Clefs: Treble and Bass
The Tutor and Student reviewed pieces from "696" and Opus 500, focusing on rhythmic accuracy, phrasing interpretation, and dynamic contrast. They practiced articulating specific musical effects and explored techniques for achieving varied tonal qualities. The student was assigned to continue practicing these concepts with the reviewed pieces and prepare for a Chopin piece in the following session.
Musical Phrasing and Articulation
Tempo and Subdivision
Dynamics and Timbre Control
Musical Character and Narrative
The student and tutor reviewed music theory concepts related to key signatures, focusing on the circle of fifths and the order of flats. They practiced rhythmic exercises, including subdivisions and coordinating both hands on a piece referred to as a "march," with plans to continue this practice.
The Circle of Fifths
Identifying Flat Key Signatures
Rhythm Subdivision and Counting
Contrary and Parallel Motion in Music
The tutor and student reviewed musical forms (binary and ternary) and practiced identifying chords, inversions, and harmonic progressions in different keys. They also worked on sixteenth-note rhythm counting and introduced strategies for practicing duet pieces by recording and playing along. The next steps involve continuing this practice and completing assigned review tests.
Musical Sequences
Chord Inversions and Function
Rhythm and Time Signatures
Musical Form: Binary and Ternary
The student worked on piano pieces from Opus 500, focusing on techniques like anchor tones, parallel and contrary motion, and interval analysis. The tutor introduced a new duet method from Cherubini's Opus 239, with the student practicing fingering and note reading for both primo and secundo parts, and the tutor provided a link to download the duet music.
Intervals in Music
Musical Sections and Repetition
Duet Practice and Recording
Anchor Tones
Relative Motion
The student and tutor worked on music theory concepts, specifically identifying key signatures by analyzing musical excerpts. They also practiced complex rhythmic counting techniques, focusing on subdivisions like sixteenth and thirty-second notes, and explored strategies for reading ledger lines in musical notation. The session concluded with a plan to send the student practice materials for chords and rhythmic subdivisions.
Identifying Major and Minor Keys
Musical Patterns and Motifs
Reading Ledger Lines
Subdivision and Rhythmic Accuracy
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Metronome Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Virtual Piano Apps
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Ear Training Software
Interactive piano lessons
Record lessons
Parent feedback
Chat for quick help
Open Q&A
Weekend lessons
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.