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
Ear training
Pedaling Techniques
Scales and Arpeggios
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Piano Technique
Sight Reading
Performance Skills
CoTutorAI modules
Summary
Podcast
Quiz
Learnings
Flashcard
Spotlight
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1-yr validity
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Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for Intermediate
Piano for Beginners
Piano for Advanced
Piano for Kids
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
Grand Piano
Digital Piano
Upright Piano
Classical Piano
Piano concepts taught by Otha
The student and tutor reviewed and practiced piano techniques, including scale movements, rhythmic repetition, proper posture, and hand positioning. They also introduced and practiced musical concepts of steps and skips, with the student working on these exercises in both hands. The tutor assigned practice of these concepts and will provide a worksheet and music playlist.
Musical Steps and Skips
Repetition and Pattern Practice
Finding Notes Using Black Key Groups
Piano Hand and Wrist Position
The tutor and student reviewed the Circle of Fifths and its relation to key signatures. They practiced identifying and constructing major and minor scales and triads, focusing on the role of the third. The lesson also covered rhythmic subdivision with sixteenth notes and the use of a movable metronome for practice.
The Circle of Fifths
Major vs. Minor Scales and Five-Finger Patterns
Building Triads: Major and Minor
Subdivision and Rhythmic Precision
The tutor and student worked on refining piano technique, focusing on challenging passages from specific pieces by analyzing fingering, rhythm, and articulation. They also began introducing scale practice, starting with the B major scale and its associated hand positions and gestures.
Understanding Musical Phrasing and Articulation
Rhythmic Precision with Metronome
Efficient Fingerings and Hand Gestures
Scales as Foundational Building Blocks
The student and tutor worked through music theory exercises, focusing on identifying and transposing primary triads and understanding key signatures. They discussed leading tones, the structure of dominant seventh chords and their inversions, and their function in chord progressions, with the goal of applying these concepts to new keys.
Triads and Inversions
Key Signature and Tonality
Chord Progressions and Cadences
The Dominant Seventh Chord (V⁷)
Relative Note Durations
Metronome Application: Beyond the Quarter Note
Piano Technique: Hand and Wrist Posture
Rhythmic Notation: Beaming and Note Values
The Tutor and Student explored the nuanced use of a metronome in music, addressing how its ticks can represent different temporal units and the confusion arising from ambiguous note value interpretations. They practiced exercises to develop an internal sense of rhythm, focusing on feeling the beat in various contexts, particularly in cut time, and applied these concepts to a musical piece. The Student also shared progress on their music theory exercises.
Metronome as a Tool: Guide vs. Crutch
The Ambiguity of Note Values
Understanding Time Signatures and Meter
Practicing Subdivisions: From Half Notes to Eighth Notes
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Ear Training Software
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Virtual Piano Apps
Metronome Apps
Interactive piano lessons
Parent feedback
Note taking
Weekend lessons
Record lessons
Chat for quick help
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.