The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo - The Carloforte Trilogy, Episode 1: WunderKeys Comic-Based Piano Music

My student is loving this book. He is very motivated by it.

This book is my piano students’ all time favorite! I don’t have to beg them to practice. Andrea Dow is an amazing composer!!

I bought this because I read about it on a piano teaching blog and thought it sounded like a neat concept--a comic book with its own soundtrack. It is marketed for boys and teens, and I am always on the lookout for fun music because I teach my 8 year old son piano. So, fast forward a few weeks with the book, and I love it. The music in book 1 is middle beginner--probably method book level 2 to 3 kids could handle it. It has a fast driven pace for most of the songs that keeps your hands, eyes, and brain engaged (it maxes out my metronome with one song quarter note = 208 bpm), but repetitive patterns and themes make the songs quick to learn and remember, so the speed isn't an issue. The music is dramatic and in a minor key. It is totally,100% super hero sounding.The comic wasn't engaging for me as an adult, but my son liked it. The music was a little difficult for him, so I play it for fun, and he listens.The format of the book isn't my favorite--the story and pictures are right at the beginning, followed by all the songs. It would be better if the comic pictures that belonged to the songs went with the songs (story and music interspersed vs story at beginning, all songs next), but that was probably a lot more time consuming for the creators.Anyway, I would recommend it!

When my pre-teen boy piano student was ready to forego piano lessons, I introduced this series to revive his interest. He liked the format and is now in book 3 of the series. As he learns new pieces, we also review one or two pieces a week from the first two books to keep them fresh. I have noted improvement in pedaling technique, note reading fluency, and rhythm concepts. He is always positive about moving on to the next piece and is happy to master each one. What next? I hope Andrea Dow will continue the series or write another in this format at the next level. I appreciate that the series doesn’t take huge leaps and instead gradually moves forward helping the student gain confidence.

I’ve taught piano for 28 years. Boys are a challenge- keeping them interested is tough. And then I stumbled accidentally into this series.WOW WIT A “POW!” The music is PERFECT for my level 2 boys. And they are INTO IT! It’s GREAT! With every penny. I bought several!

The songs sounds epic and advanced, but they're sneakily easy to learn for piano students around level 2 lesson books. Also good for a Level 1b student recital piece. Level 3-5 students could use them for sightreading or just to have some fun songs to play that sound cool but aren't super hard 🙂

The Dows have written so much music that is inspiring to my students. I've just introduced this trilogy to 4 boys and 1 girl, ages 8-14 and they LOVE it! The songs tell the story and are a springboard for creative sounds for these students. One of these students was going to quit lessons, but the first book has changed his mind. He is loving the journey on the story and songs! The songs are in minor keys; makes introducing minor scales fun. I can't say enough about the sounds these songs are inspiring through my student's fingers. Our imagination is captured! Highly recommended, especially for any student tired of method books. Gems!

Do you hve difficult-to-please preteen boy Piano students that are getting bored of lessons and practicing? This book series is definitely for you, then! The fun characters and colorful story are perfect for drawing in unmotivated students, and the music is always “so cool!” The kids love playing a “soundtrack” for the comic strip, and I love all the practice they’re getting with accidentals, changing hand positions, and using expression markings to tell a story with music!These books are also a built in super hero theme for any recital or performance class! With tons of supplementary materials available on the Dow’s TeachPianoToday blog, this series is priceless for a piano Studio looking to shake things up and get kids excited!

If you teach a young tween boy, look no farther than these books. Fearless Fortissimo captures their interest right away.

wunderkeys nunca decepciona, temas super atractivos para los alumno ¿lo único negativo? demasiado breve :(

The thrilling comic adventure approach has truly inspired my ten- year old boy who loves comics. I have struggled to keep him on a method book but he is so motivated by this book that I have been able to reinforce on note reading and building techniques. I highly recommended this fun collection!

If only this was available when I was learning as a child! The comic book concept is a great idea which tweens and teens love. It ignites their imagination and really brings their practice on - aiding them in particular with dynamics and articulation. Not only do the young learners buzz about this material, the adult learners enjoy the pieces too. I can't recommend Andrea Dow enough!

Fearless Fortissimo is a great cartoon style music book that has captured the imagination of hero loving students. Previously a student making little progress has become the fastest learner because of enjoyment with these piano pieces. As a teacher, I just love to see such great progress and happiness.