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
Piano Repertoire
Sight Reading
Chord Theory
Scales and Arpeggios
Rhythm and Timing
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Music theory
Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for Adults
Piano for Beginners
Piano for Kids
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
Piano concepts taught by Otha
The student and tutor reviewed advanced piano techniques, focusing on hand flexibility and various finger positions. They extensively practiced complex rhythmic patterns using vocalizations and discussed the interpretation of dotted rhythms and staccato markings within a specific musical piece. The student was encouraged to practice integrating these elements into their playing.
Rhythmic Subdivision and Mnemonics
Hand Position and Flexibility in Piano Playing
Compartmentalization and Predictive Playing
Left Hand Articulation and Phrasing
Understanding Musical Shapes and Patterns
The Role of Etudes in Piano Practice
Developing Musical Narrative and Phrasing
Understanding Musical Motion and Harmony
The Student and Tutor reviewed fundamental concepts in piano music theory, including proper posture, note values, and their durations. They practiced identifying note durations and began an introduction to the musical staff and clef signs, with plans to revisit these and start reading music in future sessions.
Note Values and Duration
The Role of Posture in Piano Playing
Introduction to the Musical Staff and Clefs
Dotted Notes and Rhythmic Modification
The Tutor and Student worked on understanding and practicing the complex rhythms characteristic of ragtime music. They used a system of word syllables to internalize rhythmic patterns and applied these to specific musical examples, focusing on note placement and fingerings. The next steps involve continued practice of these rhythms and their alignment with the left hand.
Ragtime Rhythm Fundamentals: Syncopation and Ties
Ragtime Idioms: Common Rhythmic Patterns
Octaves and Chord Voicings in Ragtime
Understanding and Executing Ties in Ragtime
The student and tutor explored the relationship between major and relative minor keys, their key signatures, and how to identify them through musical context and ear training. They also worked on piano technique, focusing on efficient hand and wrist movements and practicing difficult passages with deliberate intent.
Determining the Key of a Piece
Wrist and Arm Movement in Piano Technique
Identifying Key Signatures
Relative Minor and Major Keys
The student and tutor reviewed the student's progress on a piano etude, identifying challenges with memorization and interpretation. They then explored music theory concepts including Italian expression markings, chord functions (tonic, dominant, inversions), and scale degrees, applying them to the piece. The tutor also guided the student through exercises in a music theory workbook to build foundational knowledge in scales and chords, assigning practice for upcoming sessions.
Major vs. Minor Scales and Chords
The Circle of Fifths and Key Relationships
Harmonic Analysis: Chords and Scale Degrees
Dominant Sevenths and Their Function
Understanding Musical Expression Markings
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Ear Training Software
Virtual Piano Apps
Metronome Apps
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Interactive piano lessons
Record lessons
Open Q&A
Chat for quick help
Parent feedback
Weekend lessons
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.
