The Comprehensive Course for the Beginning Pianist. The Academy Piano Course explores modern techniques of instruction introduces creative elements as early as possible, works with pattern and shape for reading music rote teaching for technique and features music across a range of styles including classical, folk, and ensemble pieces. Both books divide into three sections with ten lessons in each. At the end of book 1 students will understand notation and play hands together. At the end of book 2 students will have played pieces up to and including Grade 1 standard.