Otha Lewis
Discover classical piano through personalized lessons that emphasize musical nuance and sound technique.
Private lessons - Otha Lewis
Diploma degree
$38
$34
/ hour
About 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
Piano lessons overview
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.
Trusted piano teacher for real results
88% students feel more skilled, confident, and ready to perform
Rated 49/5 by parents for piano classes
Families love the balance between structure and creativity in each lesson
Step-by-step piano lessons structure
Lessons break down complex pieces into manageable parts
Your piano teacher specialities
Scales and Arpeggios
Pedaling Techniques
Music theory
Performance Skills
Piano Repertoire
Sight Reading
Ear training
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Piano concept taught by Otha
Mr. Lewis and Jeff Feldman worked on Czerny exercises, focusing on musicality through phrasing and dynamics. Jeff played exercises, and Mr. Lewis provided feedback on interpretation and technique. They also discussed chord progressions and introduced new warm-up exercises. Mr. Lewis assigned specific Czerny exercises (numbers 8 and 9 from book 1) and warm-ups for the week, and Jeff will explore music theory using AI.
Five-Finger Exercises
Half Cadence
Chord Identification
Elision
Dynamics and Phrasing
Rallentando vs. Ritardando
In July 2025, Hogan Shrum's music lessons with Mr. Lewis focused on improving Hogan's performance on the "Gillick piece" (Sailboats), rhythm exercises, and sight-reading. They used tools like a metronome, a "spinning wheel" app, and food-based rhythm mnemonics. Mr. Lewis introduced a Czerny piece for sight-reading, emphasizing pattern recognition. They also scheduled future lessons around Mr. Lewis's camp commitments.
Contrary and Parallel Motion
Sight Reading
Repeated Patterns
Rhythm and Note Values
Movement in Steps and Skips
Metronome Practice
Hand Crossing Technique
In this piano lesson, Mr. Lewis guided Lauren through exercises aimed at improving her rhythm, sight-reading skills, and introducing basic chord concepts. Lauren practiced playing with a metronome, identifying musical patterns, and learning to play C, E, and G chords. They rescheduled the next lesson to Sunday due to Mr. Lewis's camp schedule, and Mr. Lewis assigned practice exercises focusing on the discussed concepts.
Patterns in Music
Transposition of Patterns
Parallel and Contrary Motion
Metronome Practice
Note Reading
Chord Recognition and Finger Placement
Mr. Lewis taught James B about Lo-Fi music composition, focusing on jazz chords, chord symbols, and voice leading. They troubleshooted MuseScore issues, reviewed exercises, and experimented with triads, inversions, and parallel 11th chords to create smooth transitions and explore new harmonic possibilities. Mr. Lewis emphasized voice leading principles and assigned practice exercises in MuseScore, with plans to discuss cadences next session.
Musecore Input
Chord Inversions
Parallel 11ths
Cadences
Voice Leading
Mr. Lewis tutored Justin Kohne in piano, working on exercises from Opus 500 and the "Rhythm and Blues" song to improve rhythm, note reading, and technique. Justin practiced wrist movements and finger independence, using a metronome to maintain tempo. Homework includes repeating exercises, practicing new pages from the book, and listening to piano performances.
Wrist Motion
Score Reading
Metronome Use
Thumb as Reference
Note Grouping
Mr. Lewis and Dylan Xiao focused on sight-reading, left-hand techniques for octave jumps and arpeggios, and rhythmic coordination with polyrhythms. Dylan practiced a nocturne and a piece composed by Mr. Lewis, with an emphasis on musicality and phrasing. Mr. Lewis assigned practice focusing on isolating the left hand in specific passages and demystifying the rhythmic complexities of the assigned pieces.
Hand Technique
Polyrhythms
Sight-Reading Strategies
Musicality in Performance
Rhythmic Subdivision
Types of piano lessons
Grand Piano
Digital Piano
Upright Piano
Classical Piano
Free lesson slots
1 / 1
Teaching tools used in piano classes
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Metronome Apps
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Ear Training Software
Virtual Piano Apps
Student types for piano lessons
Piano for advanced
Piano for kids
Piano for intermediate
Interactive piano lessons
Record lessons
Note taking
Parent feedback
Open Q&A
Chat for quick help
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