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
Music theory
Rhythm and Timing
Performance Skills
Scales and Arpeggios
Chord Theory
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Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for adults
Piano for advanced
Piano for kids
Piano for intermediate
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
Grand Piano
Digital Piano
Upright Piano
Classical Piano
Piano concepts taught by Otha
Student and Tutor worked on piano technique and pieces from Opus 500, Opus 802, and Opus 599. They reviewed specific fingering challenges, practice strategies for finger exercises, and techniques for playing difficult intervals. The Student was advised to continue practicing these pieces, focusing on proper hand posture and developing sight-reading skills.
Opus 500 Exercise 1: Mastering Complex Fingering & Position Changes
Opus 802 Exercise 1: Strategic Daily Practice for Fluency & Site Reading
Effective Piano Practice Routine: The Three-Piece Approach
Opus 599 Exercise 17: Overcoming Thirds with Wrist-Assisted Technique
Opus 802 Exercises 4-6: Utilizing Wrist Rotation for Melodic & Sequential Patterns
The Student and Tutor reviewed several piano pieces, including Czerny Opus 299 Numbers 5 and 6, Czerny Opus 365 Number 1, and Beethoven's Sonata Op. 13 "Pathétique." They focused on technical execution, interpretative approaches like "leger non legato," metronome practice for tempo control, and the impact of pedaling on phrasing. The Student was encouraged to continue practicing these pieces with specific technical and interpretative adjustments in preparation for an upcoming assessment.
Mastering Tempo and Control in Piano Performance
Historical Performance Practice: Tempo and Pedal in Beethoven
Strategic Practice for Piano Etudes and Studies
Achieving Leggero (Lightness) and Right-Hand Technique
The Student and Tutor reviewed several piano pieces, including Opus 299, 802, and 599. They discussed music theory concepts such as diminished chords and intervals, and practiced finger independence exercises, advanced fingering techniques, and controlled tempo. The Tutor assigned specific exercises from Opus 802 and 599 for the Student to focus on during the week, emphasizing slow practice and developing hand flexibility.
Long-Term Skill Retention through Practice & Sleep
Diminished Chords and Resolution
Advanced Finger Independence & Hand Flexibility
Deliberate Practice: Tempo & Voicing
Efficient Fingering for Runs (Opus 299)
Student and Tutor reviewed existing piano exercises from Opus 802 and Opus 599, discussing challenges and progress. The Tutor introduced a new Czerny etude, Opus 299 Number 1, breaking down its structure and fingerings for scale practice. Student was assigned this new piece for practice, with a clean score to be provided by the Tutor.
Czerny's Foundational Piano Method
Scale Fingering Rotations (Czerny Op. 299
No. 1)
Developing Hand Independence & Keyboard Awareness
Effective Practice Strategies
The Student and Tutor focused on refining piano technique, practicing C major scales and arpeggios with an emphasis on smooth wrist motion and specific fingerings. They also explored a new method for playing octaves efficiently and delved into the form and structure of ragtime music using "Original Rags." Additionally, the Tutor assessed the Student's understanding of key signatures and introduced left-hand stride patterns, assigning daily practice of these techniques along with continued work on Opus 599.
Ragtime Left-Hand Stride Technique
C Major Scale Technique Refinement
Advanced Repeated Octave Technique
Ragtime Piece Form & 'Original Rags' Structure
C Major Arpeggio Fingerings & Wrist Motion
Student and Tutor re-established their lesson plan for piano, beginning with foundational rudiments for identifying notes and practicing five-finger patterns in both hands. The Tutor introduced Czerny's Opus 599 as the core pedagogical material. For follow-up, the Student was assigned to practice the discussed rudiments, obtain Czerny's Opus 599, and write out the note names for the first eight measures of the first piece for verification.
Essential Piano Posture & Hand Shape
Keyboard Navigation: Note Identification & Octaves
Five-Finger Piano Rudiments (Right Hand)
Five-Finger Piano Rudiments (Left Hand) & Hand Shifting
Rhythm & Pulse Internalization
Cherney's Method: Etudes
Opus Numbers
& Motion
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Ear Training Software
Virtual Piano Apps
Metronome Apps
Interactive piano lessons
Note taking
Open Q&A
Record lessons
Parent feedback
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