I'm so excited to have your family as part of Christine Fogh Music! Piano Express is one of my favorite programs to teach because I watch students make real, noticeable progress week after week — and that's exciting for everyone.
This page has everything you need: how to log in, how to practice at home, what techniques your child is working on, and how to reach me if you ever have questions. Bookmark it — you'll want to come back to it!
This page has everything you need: how to log in, how to practice at home, what techniques your child is working on, and how to reach me if you ever have questions. Bookmark it — you'll want to come back to it!
6x faster progress than traditional piano lessons!
Your Studio Tools
As a Christine Fogh Music family, you have access to three platforms. Here's what each one is for:
💳 My Music Staff
This is where billing lives. View invoices, make payments, and manage your account. You can also use it to reschedule — if you can't make your regular class one week, log in to add your student to a different available class time.
Log in to My Music Staff →
This is where billing lives. View invoices, make payments, and manage your account. You can also use it to reschedule — if you can't make your regular class one week, log in to add your student to a different available class time.
Log in to My Music Staff →
🎵 Practice Space
Our studio community hub! This is where your child's practice materials live, including any solo repertoire assigned for recitals. I post studio challenges here too, and students and families can share videos, photos, and encouragement with each other. It's a fun space — jump in anytime!
Join Practice Space →
Our studio community hub! This is where your child's practice materials live, including any solo repertoire assigned for recitals. I post studio challenges here too, and students and families can share videos, photos, and encouragement with each other. It's a fun space — jump in anytime!
Join Practice Space →
🚂 Piano Express App
The heart of your lessons. Students use this in class during assessment time, and at home if they have a keyboard hooked up. They earn stars, track progress through their book, and work toward their crowns.
Open Piano Express →
The heart of your lessons. Students use this in class during assessment time, and at home if they have a keyboard hooked up. They earn stars, track progress through their book, and work toward their crowns.
Open Piano Express →
A full hour, every time
First 30 minutes
Assessment time
Students work individually at their keyboard with the app, headphones, and their music — passing songs with correct notes and rhythm at their own pace.
Second 30 minutes
Discovery time
Group-based musicianship, ear training, sight-reading, and theory — taught through games, singing, and activities that make concepts really stick.
Assessment time
Students work individually at their keyboard with the app, headphones, and their music — passing songs with correct notes and rhythm at their own pace.
Second 30 minutes
Discovery time
Group-based musicianship, ear training, sight-reading, and theory — taught through games, singing, and activities that make concepts really stick.
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🎹
App-Integrated Learning Instant feedback on notes and rhythm helps students self-correct and grow independently. |
❤️
Teacher at the Center Your teacher guides technique, musical expression, and provides personal support every lesson. |
Group learning that sticks
Concepts taught through group games, friendly competition, and singing along are internalized faster and remembered longer than in one-on-one lessons. |
🎼
Theory & Musicianship Students work on theory each week and reinforce concepts through group activities. |
🎤
Sing While You Play Students sing note names while playing — a powerful technique that builds pitch, timing, and note recognition far faster. |
Piano Express
Logging In
Getting into Piano Express takes about 10 seconds. Here's how:
Logging In
Getting into Piano Express takes about 10 seconds. Here's how:
- Open Chrome on a Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or Android device — or download the Piano Express app from the iOS App Store if you're on a compatible iPad.
- Go to play.thepianoexpress.com and allow the site to use your camera when prompted.
- Hold up your child's QR code to the camera to log in. The QR code is on the back of their student binder — it's the only way to log in, so keep that binder handy!
- Make sure your keyboard is plugged in before logging in so the app can detect it. Need help? Watch the setup video below.
📎 Have an acoustic piano at home? No problem! Students without a midi keyboard at home can still watch videos, review their songs, and use Practice Space. The final graded assessment (Play Mode) will simply happen during class time instead.
$ Studio Practice Incentives $
Each time your student logs in and completes a song or music theory activity, they earn Bach Bucks, our studio reward program. The more they do, the more they earn!
We ask that students complete at least 2 songs or theory activities on their own each week. There's no maximum — students are welcome and encouraged to do as many as they'd like.
🎵Minimum 2 songs — no maximum!
Each time your student logs in and completes a song or music theory activity, they earn Bach Bucks, our studio reward program. The more they do, the more they earn!
We ask that students complete at least 2 songs or theory activities on their own each week. There's no maximum — students are welcome and encouraged to do as many as they'd like.
🎵Minimum 2 songs — no maximum!
At home
How to Practice
This is probably the most important section on this whole page. How your child practices at home makes an enormous difference in how quickly they progress. Follow these steps every time:
How to Practice
This is probably the most important section on this whole page. How your child practices at home makes an enormous difference in how quickly they progress. Follow these steps every time:
1. Open your binder first. Before doing anything else, find your song in your binder. Look at the notes and finger numbers on the page — don't read from the screen. Your music is your guide.
2. Watch the video if there is one. Some songs and concepts have a short video. Watch it before you start playing — it may introduce something new that will help you learn the piece correctly from the beginning.
3. Don't start by playing through the whole song. Begin with one hand at a time—and make sure it's the correct hand! Your book will show RH (right hand) or LH (left hand) for each part. Your starting position is usually in the middle of the keyboard. If all your notes are coming up red, check that your hands aren't one position too high or too low. Once each hand feels solid, try putting them together.
4. Apply your technique. As you practice, remember the skills we work on in class—flexible wrist, balanced fingers, arm weight, and relaxed hands. The notes are only half of it. How you play them is what makes it music.
5. Use Practice Mode to prepare, then go for Play Mode. Warm up in Practice Mode first—slow it down, work hands apart, and isolate tricky sections. If the backing track makes it harder, turn it off and practice without it until the notes feel solid. When you feel ready, switch to Play Mode to earn your stars.
After each Play Mode attempt, check your score breakdown — it tells you exactly what to work on next:
Send a video of what you're working on, or just describe what's giving you trouble. I'll give you some pointers to get you moving again!
2. Watch the video if there is one. Some songs and concepts have a short video. Watch it before you start playing — it may introduce something new that will help you learn the piece correctly from the beginning.
3. Don't start by playing through the whole song. Begin with one hand at a time—and make sure it's the correct hand! Your book will show RH (right hand) or LH (left hand) for each part. Your starting position is usually in the middle of the keyboard. If all your notes are coming up red, check that your hands aren't one position too high or too low. Once each hand feels solid, try putting them together.
4. Apply your technique. As you practice, remember the skills we work on in class—flexible wrist, balanced fingers, arm weight, and relaxed hands. The notes are only half of it. How you play them is what makes it music.
5. Use Practice Mode to prepare, then go for Play Mode. Warm up in Practice Mode first—slow it down, work hands apart, and isolate tricky sections. If the backing track makes it harder, turn it off and practice without it until the notes feel solid. When you feel ready, switch to Play Mode to earn your stars.
After each Play Mode attempt, check your score breakdown — it tells you exactly what to work on next:
- Missed notes — wrong keys or fingers
- Missed rhythms — right notes but too fast or too slow
- Extra notes — pressing keys that aren't in the song
Send a video of what you're working on, or just describe what's giving you trouble. I'll give you some pointers to get you moving again!
🎯 Weekly goal: At least 2 songs or theory activities per week — no maximum! The more your child practices, the more Bach Bucks they earn. During recital season, I'll reach out with additional repertoire and specific practice goals.
Inside the app
Practice Mode vs. Play Mode
🎹 Practice Mode Build the skill- This is your warm-up zone. In Practice Mode, students are not graded and do not earn stars.
Use it to slow a song down, practice one hand at a time, or isolate a tricky section with Slice & Focus. Work the hard parts here before going for a score. No stars earned here — that's okay! This is exactly where the real learning happens.
Use it to slow a song down, practice one hand at a time, or isolate a tricky section with Slice & Focus. Work the hard parts here before going for a score. No stars earned here — that's okay! This is exactly where the real learning happens.
⭐ Play Mode Earn your starsThis is the graded mode. Students are scored on notes and rhythm and earn stars based on their accuracy.
A minimum of 1 star (80%+) is required to pass a song and move on. Aim higher — 3 stars (95%+) is what you're really going for. Stars earned here translate directly into Bach Bucks!
A minimum of 1 star (80%+) is required to pass a song and move on. Aim higher — 3 stars (95%+) is what you're really going for. Stars earned here translate directly into Bach Bucks!
💡 Pro tip: Always start in Practice Mode to warm up. Then switch to Play Mode when you're ready to be scored. Don't skip the warm-up!
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🐌
Slowest Start here. Build accuracy at a slow pace. → |
🐢
Slower Speed up when 95% accuracy is reached. → |
🐇
Normal Full tempo. Ready to perform! → |
👑
Play Mode Graded! Earn Stars, Diamonds, and a Crown! |
For parents
What to Watch For at Home
You don't need to be a piano teacher to support your child's practice! Just give a gentle nudge if you notice any of these things during home practice:
What to Watch For at Home
You don't need to be a piano teacher to support your child's practice! Just give a gentle nudge if you notice any of these things during home practice:
👆Wrong finger numbers-Each song has specific finger numbers that the student should be using. If they're using different fingers, remind them to check their binder.
🤲 Stiff or tense hands- Hands should be relaxed and rounded. If they look tense or flat-fingered, have them take a breath and reset.
💪 Banging instead of arm weight -Loud notes come from a gentle drop of the arm, not hammering. Encourage a soft, controlled drop into the key.
📖 Reading from the screen- The screen shows progress, not the music. Eyes should be on the binder, not the app or their hands.
Something to work toward
Milestones & Celebrations
At Christine Fogh Music, we love celebrating progress! Here's what students can look forward to as they work through their level:
👑 The Crown Ceremony
When a student unlocks their Final Review — meaning they've earned all their required stars, flames, and crowns — they get crowned! A real (paper) crown to take home. It's a big deal and we make sure everyone knows it.
Trigger: Final Review unlocked
When a student unlocks their Final Review — meaning they've earned all their required stars, flames, and crowns — they get crowned! A real (paper) crown to take home. It's a big deal and we make sure everyone knows it.
Trigger: Final Review unlocked
📸 Wall of Fame
Every student who completes a level gets their photo up on our studio board. It's a permanent record of their achievement — and a great reminder of how far they've come.
Trigger: Level completed
Every student who completes a level gets their photo up on our studio board. It's a permanent record of their achievement — and a great reminder of how far they've come.
Trigger: Level completed
📿 Level Bracelet
Each completed level earns a keepsake bracelet. Students collect one for every level they finish — so by the time they're a few levels in, they've got quite a stack going!
Trigger: Level completed + 25 Bach Bucks
Each completed level earns a keepsake bracelet. Students collect one for every level they finish — so by the time they're a few levels in, they've got quite a stack going!
Trigger: Level completed + 25 Bach Bucks
Green Level · Book 1
What Your Child is Learning
The Green Level is the first book in the Piano Express series, organized into three units. The core skills below are practiced and reinforced every single week throughout the whole book. Core skills practiced every week: Finger numbers · Alphabet letters on the piano keys · Steady beat.
Unit 1
- Forte (loud) and piano (soft)
- Using arm weight for dynamics
- Flexible wrist / Balloon Ride
Unit 2
- Dotted half notes & whole notes
- Counting and holding longer notes
- Balanced fingers & thumb support
Unit 3 — Weeks 9–12
- Rests and ties
- Basic syncopation
- Relaxed hand position
Graduation: Students move to the next level when they meet all Final Review requirements — at their own pace. There's no waiting for the rest of the class!
Flexible Scheduling
Each student has a home class — their regular assigned time that we encourage them to attend each week. Because Piano Express runs multiple class times throughout the week, if you ever can't make your home class you're welcome to attend another session instead, subject to availability.
Each student has a home class — their regular assigned time that we encourage them to attend each week. Because Piano Express runs multiple class times throughout the week, if you ever can't make your home class you're welcome to attend another session instead, subject to availability.
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MONDAY
4:30 & 6:30 pm |
TUESDAY
4:00 pm |
WEDNESDAY
4:00 pm |
THURSDAY
5:30 pm |
Some classes fill up, so space is not always guaranteed. Please text us first to confirm there's room!
📱 Text us at (805) 619-8776
📱 Text us at (805) 619-8776
Equipment
Setting Up at Home
To use Play Mode at home, students need a digital keyboard with a USB or MIDI connection and a compatible device. Not sure what to get? I've done the research for you.
Setting Up at Home
To use Play Mode at home, students need a digital keyboard with a USB or MIDI connection and a compatible device. Not sure what to get? I've done the research for you.
🛒Christine's Things I Like StoreKeyboards, cables, accessories — everything I recommend for Piano Express students, all in one place.
The app is compatible with the following devices:
- All Chromebooks
- All Windows laptops
- All Mac laptops
- iPad (iOS 18.4+)
- All Linux
- Some Android/Samsung
You'll also need a USB cable to connect your keyboard to the app. Watch the setup video below for step-by-step instructions:
Ready to set up at home?
Christine has put together a recommended shopping list with everything you need!
Christine has put together a recommended shopping list with everything you need!
Questions?
Please reach out anytime. We're here to support you every step of the way. We can't wait to see your student grow and thrive at the piano!
Please reach out anytime. We're here to support you every step of the way. We can't wait to see your student grow and thrive at the piano!