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

Otha graduated from Fresno City College

Your piano teacher skills

Ear training icon

Ear training

Chord Theory icon

Chord Theory

Music theory icon

Music theory

Sight Reading icon

Sight Reading

Piano Repertoire icon

Piano Repertoire

Piano Technique icon

Piano Technique

Scales and Arpeggios icon

Scales and Arpeggios

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Learnings

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Types of learners for piano lessons

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Piano for advanced

Piano for adults icon

Piano for adults

Piano for intermediate icon

Piano for intermediate

Piano for kids icon

Piano for kids

Piano for beginners icon

Piano for beginners

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

Piano

Grand Piano

Grand Piano

Digital Piano

Digital Piano

Upright Piano

Upright Piano

Classical Piano

Classical Piano

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Piano concepts taught by Otha

Student learned about 20 hours ago

Student and Tutor continued their work on several piano pieces for ABRSM exams. They focused on refining technique for Opus 365 scales and exercises, addressing right and left-hand stiffness, economic motion, and consistent gestures. The session also included an in-depth discussion and practice on stylistic pedaling and left-hand technique for Maple Leaf Rag, with a strong recommendation for the Student to practice recording their pieces for self-assessment. They also reviewed ABRSM Number 8, focusing on maintaining evenness and consistent tempo, and discussed practicing with a metronome.

Overcoming Performance Anxiety Through Recording

Maple Leaf Rag: Stylistic Pedaling & Left Hand Technique

Opus 365

No. 2: Right Hand Economy & Turnaround

Opus 365

No. 1: Scale Practice & Refinement

Metronome Practice for Rhythmic Precision

Strategic Tempo Selection for Consistency

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Student learned 2 days ago

Student and Tutor reviewed parallel motion and fundamental piano technique, including wrist position and quiet finger movement. They then delved into music theory, focusing on treble and bass clefs, identifying G-line and Middle C, and distinguishing between line and space notes to understand steps and skips. The Student applied these reading skills to identify notes in 'Opus 823, No. 1', and was assigned to continue note identification and begin practice on 'Opus 823, No. 2' and 'Opus 802, No. 1'.

Parallel Motion in Piano Playing

Essential Piano Technique: Wrist & Finger Quietness

Understanding Music Clefs: Treble and Bass

Fundamental Note Identification: G-line & Middle C

Reading Notes on the Staff: Line vs. Space Notes

Navigating the Staff: Steps

Skips

and Direction

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Student learned 3 days ago

Student and Tutor focused on refining piano technique, note reading, and rhythmic accuracy across several etudes and a rag piece. They worked on specific wrist movements for repeated intervals, clarified notation for simultaneous notes, and addressed common reading errors in a B section. The session also covered foundational left-hand patterns in ragtime and included a mental exercise for improving left-hand stride accuracy without looking at the keyboard.

Wrist Rotation Technique for Smoothness

Reading Stacked Notes and Rhythmic Precision

Left Hand Bassline Patterns (Root & Chord Structures)

Strategic Fingering for Complex Passages

Developing Hand Versatility & Mental Mapping

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Student learned 4 days ago

Student and Tutor worked on piano technique, reviewing fingering and hand positioning for Czerny Op. 802 No. 15 and Op. 500 Example 11. They also focused on musicality, dynamics, and phrasing in Czerny Op. 500, including interpreting Italian tempo markings and understanding strong/weak beats. Student was assigned to continue practicing these pieces, exploring extreme dynamics and efficient arm gestures, and was given a new piece (Op. 500 Example 10) to begin.

Phrasing

Dynamics & Form in 3/4 Time

Efficient Hand Movement & Arching Technique

Interpreting Tempo Markings & Subdivision Articulation

Specialized Hand Shaping for Chords

Proactive Fingering & Hand Positioning

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Student learned 6 days ago

The class focused on piano instruction, starting with rhythmic counting and hand coordination practice for piece 802 number 3. Student and Tutor then transitioned to piece 599, emphasizing note reading strategies, tempo control, and identifying notes across broader intervals. The Student was assigned to write down the names of notes for piece 599 number 5 as homework.

Rhythmic Grouping & Counting Aids

Comprehensive Note Reading Strategies

Controlled Practice Tempo for Mastery

Expanding Hand Positions & Large Intervals

Hand Coordination: The 'Baton Pass'

Recognizing Musical Repetition & Form

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Student learned 7 days ago

Student and Tutor had a piano lesson, focusing on advanced fingering techniques, hand positions, and interpretation of specific exercises from Opus 802 and Opus 599. They practiced various chord stretches, chromatic passages, and discussed optimal wrist and hand movements for challenging pieces. The Student was encouraged to treat Opus 802 as an assessment for Book One, practicing repetitions, and was assigned to continue with Opus 599, number 2, next week.

Deliberate Practice Strategies for Technical Mastery

Music Theory Foundations: Intervals and Chords

Dynamic Fingering and Hand Position for Advanced Passages

Optimal Wrist and Hand Posture for Comfort and Control

Achieving Unified Chord Voicing and Articulation

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Approach & tools used in piano classes

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Virtual Piano Apps

PDF Sheet Music Libraries image

PDF Sheet Music Libraries

Chord & Scale Reference Apps image

Chord & Scale Reference Apps

Metronome Apps image

Metronome Apps

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Ear Training Software

Interactive piano lessons

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Weekend lessons

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Chat for quick help

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Open Q&A

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Record lessons

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Note taking

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