This summer one of our many piano teaching goals was to relaunch our comic-based piano book series… The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo.
Many teachers have questions about this exciting, action-packed piano series and in today’s post we’re answering them for you, including the biggest question: Are these the same Fearless Fortissimo books as the originals, just updated? To which the answer is “No… the comic story has changed, the music has changed… even its purpose has changed.”
And the changes are good… really, really good! Read today’s post to learn more about The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo.
A Brief Introduction To Fearless Fortissimo
Before we get to answering your most pressing questions (scroll down) about The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo, here’s a brief introduction:
The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo is the Bam, the Zzzwap, and the Kapow for teaching children who crave action to love piano lessons. Each book in the collection turns original piano pieces into the backdrop for a thrilling comic adventure. As your children learn the music they become the driving force behind the story. Drawn into the tale, they will be keen to perfect each new piece to help the story unfold.
We will be releasing The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo in separate series, with each series comprised of 3 books (3 Episodes). This will allow us to release leveled repertoire that follows the skill progression of method books.
Today marks the release of The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo, Series 1, The Carloforte Trilogy, and is targeted at students who are working in Level 2 method books.
Now, let’s get to your questions:
1. Are the new Fearless Fortissimo books the same as the old books?
No. As mentioned above, everything has changed… for the better! While the old books were some of our most popular, we now have 10 more years of composing, storytelling, and educational design experience. I know many of you will mourn the loss of the old repertoire (as will we!) but we promise that your love for the new music will make you quickly forget the old music.
2. Who should I use the new piano books with?
The old books contained multi-level repertoire and did not allow for a student to progress through the series. With our re-launch, we wanted to create a series of books that would grow with the student. You should begin using The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo, Series 1 with students who are in a Level 2 method book. As a student works through Episodes 1, 2, and 3 in Series 1 they will be progressing through repertoire as they would in a Level 2 method book. By the time they complete Episode 3 they will be playing repertoire at the approximate skill level of a student who has completed a Level 2 method book.
3. Why isn’t there music for younger students?
While there will be in the future, we wanted to begin this new journey by providing leveled repertoire when students need it most! As many of you know, we are currently working on our WunderKeys Level 1 method books. We believe that these method books will more than meet the needs of your Level 1 students!
Bu the fact is… kids lose often interest after Level 1 method books… and they need a superhero to save their piano lesson experience. This is why we relaunched the series with piano books aimed at kids (tweens and teens) who have completed Level 1 method books.
4. Where can I buy The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo?
The first 3 books in The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo are available now on Amazon. These books were born to be published in print! The power of this piano series lies not just in the music but in the love for the story and the illustrations. The full-color print books bring the story to life in a way that digital repertoire simply cannot. And, by distributing through Amazon, the books are cheaper to purchase than if you were to have them printed in full color.
5. Can I see a visual preview?
Click here to be taken to the books on the WunderKeys website where you can click on each book and then on “Look inside” for previews.
9. Can I hear some sound samples?
Below we have included sound samples taken from each of the three episodes in The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo, The Carloforte Trilogy.
Get The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo Today
All three episodes in The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo, The Carloforte Trilogy are now available on Amazon. Click here to get your students started on an action-packed piano adventure.
Kelly Koch says
Just ordered mine! Thank you so much for the MOUNTAIN of music that you give us. Your music and books are transformative, not only to our studios, but to our students as well. Can’t wait to get these new books!
Andrea says
Thank YOU Kelly! Your enthusiasm for our resources is so appreciated! Enjoy – can’t wait to hear how you like the books
Michelle Efird says
Ordered!!!! Thank you so much for your music and especially for your willingness to share your vast knowledge and experience!
Andrea says
Thanks for your support of our resources, Michelle! We’re glad you’re excited and we can’t wait to hear how your students like the books 🙂
Susan Young says
These look and sound like an awesome resource. Definitely going on my wish list for when my material fees come in from my students.
Linda Hyland says
I am excited to try this new series and am getting ready to order it! I do have one question about the progression of the pieces. It seems the order of difficulty that is listed under the song doesn’t go from least difficult to most difficult. Am I not understanding something or did I miss reading something? No matter as I’ll be getting them anyway, but thought I’d ask. Thanks again for such innovative and fun teaching material. As you can tell, we are all loving it!
Anna says
I have the same question about the order of difficulty. I haven’t ordered the copies yet, but hope to soon.
Mary Anne says
is there a digital edition with a studio license? I have the other two and I prefer that format
Andrea says
Hi Mary Anne! No, there is no digital option. The cost to print the books yourself in full color (which they need to be to be effective) is about the same as the cost of the book on Amazon 🙂 Glad you enjoy the 1st Edition – and we hope you love the new music and illustrations of these new books too!
Lori George says
Unfortunately $12.95 per book per student is a high price when we are used to a studio license price. I’ll be continuing to use the old Fearless.
Andrea says
Hi Lori – no problem! Glad you’ve enjoyed the 1st Editions of Fearless Fortissimo. We found that the cost to print the new books yourself in full color is about the same as it is to purchase them in hard copy on Amazon and if you were to bind them then the cost would be more than the hardcopy versions. We know piano teachers are busy people and so for approximately the same cost and then the additional time savings that having a hardcopy book provides – it was the option that made the most sense to us for these books 🙂 We know it may not be ideal for everyone, so we’re glad you still have a “Fearless Option” for your studio. Have a great start to your teaching year!
Heidi says
“We will be releasing The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo in separate series, with each series comprised of 3 books (3 Episodes).”
Do the new second editions also have three levels/series per episode (like the first editions)? Amazon only shows one book per episode. I don’t see where I can find the early elementary/elementary/late elementary versions. Or does each episode have all three levels of each piece?
Andrea says
Hi Heidi! No, the new versions are all at a Level 2 as described above under #2 (pasted here for you) The old books contained multi-level repertoire and did not allow for a student to progress through the series. With our re-launch we wanted to create a series of books that would grow with the student. You should begin using The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo, Series 1 with students who are in a Level 2 method book. As a student works through Episode 1, 2 and 3 in Series 1 they will be progressing through repertoire as they would in a Level 2 method book. By the time they complete Episode 3 they will be playing repertoire at the approximate skill level of a student who has completed a Level 2 method book.