Piano Express is a unique program designed to help students make faster, more confident progress at the piano. The integrated app provides immediate feedback on notes and rhythm, so students can practice more effectively and build strong skills both at home and in class.
Why Piano Express Works
6x faster progress than traditional piano lessons!
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Instant rhythm feedback
The app tells students immediately when their notes and rhythm are correct — no more waiting a week to find out they've been practicing it wrong. |
Move at their own pace
Students can pass off songs at home and move on to the next piece right away, rather than waiting for their teacher's approval at the next 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. |
A full hour, every time
Unlike traditional 30-minute private lessons, every Piano Express class is a full 60 minutes — twice the instruction time, twice the progress. Each class is divided into two focused halves:
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.
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.
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. |
🎼
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. |
The positive practice cycle
When practice feels effective and rewarding, students want to keep going — and that motivation builds on itself. Piano Express is designed to create this positive cycle from day one.
Effective practice at home → Sense of pride and accomplishment → "I love learning piano!" → Motivated to keep practicing
When practice feels effective and rewarding, students want to keep going — and that motivation builds on itself. Piano Express is designed to create this positive cycle from day one.
Effective practice at home → Sense of pride and accomplishment → "I love learning piano!" → Motivated to keep practicing
Logging in is easy!
Getting into Piano Express takes about 10 seconds. Here's how:
Getting into Piano Express takes about 10 seconds. Here's how:
- Visit play.thepianoexpress.com in a Chrome browser (Windows, Mac, or Android) — or download the Piano Express app from the iOS App Store if you're on an iPad.
- Allow the website to use your camera when prompted.
- Hold up your student's QR code (on the back of their student binder) to the camera. You're in!
$ 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!
How to practice at home
The app guides students through a fun progression — always start in Practice Mode to warm up, then switch to Play Mode when you're ready to be graded. Aim for 95% accuracy at each level before moving up!
The app guides students through a fun progression — always start in Practice Mode to warm up, then switch to Play Mode when you're ready to be graded. Aim for 95% accuracy at each level before moving 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! |
Pro tip: Don't skip speeds! Play from your book, not the screen. Turn your piano on before logging in, and use the correct hand for each part.
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
What you'll need at home
To get the most out of Piano Express at home, you'll need a digital keyboard or piano with a USB or MIDI port, plus a compatible device to run the app on. Here's a guide to keyboard options:
To get the most out of Piano Express at home, you'll need a digital keyboard or piano with a USB or MIDI port, plus a compatible device to run the app on. Here's a guide to keyboard options:
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Budget option
61-key keyboardAffordable and portable — a great way to get started. Keys are unweighted so the feel differs from a real piano, but it works well for beginners. You'll likely want to upgrade as your student progresses. |
Best value
Basic digital piano (88 keys)Weighted, hammer-action keys that feel like a real piano. Can connect to headphones and computers. Our studio uses the Casio CDP S160 — a great long-term choice for committed students. |
Premium
Acoustic or high-end digitalThe very best sound and key response. Acoustic pianos can last generations. High-end digital models offer recording capabilities and expanded sound banks. |
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!
Already have an acoustic piano at home?
No problem at all! Students can absolutely practice on an acoustic piano. They'll still be able to review and learn their pieces at home, then complete the app scoring during lesson time, which usually goes very smoothly since they've already prepared the piece.
No problem at all! Students can absolutely practice on an acoustic piano. They'll still be able to review and learn their pieces at home, then complete the app scoring during lesson time, which usually goes very smoothly since they've already prepared the piece.
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!