From playing against opponents, to playing the piano: Guido Vianello opens #ASLuissFreeTime

When a boxer warms up his hands, he usually does it to get ready to step into the ring. From “playing” against his opponents to playing the piano, for someone, however, the step is short. This is the case of Guido Vianello, boxer with 7 wins by knockout and one draw in 8 professional matches. Our Top Athlete, enrolled in the third year of Political Science, is the first main carachter of #ASLuissFreeTime, the special dedicated to the hobbies of Luiss student-athletes. While his granddaughter was having fun mashing the keys in the background, “The Gladiator” told us about his passion for the piano and the pleasure of combining a tough sport like boxing with such an elegant instrument.

Guido, how did your passion for the piano begin?

I travel a lot and the piano is an instrument you often come across when traveling, at the airport or in hotels. I have always looked at it with interest, because it gives me so much energy.. Unfortunately, in the past I was never able to learn how to play it. This year I had more time on my hands and I took advantage of it.

Did you start playing in the States or in Italy?

I took my first lessons in the United States, but I didn’t like the American teaching method at all: they break the notes into five, they use letters… They do everything in pieces and in disorder, it was just confusing for me. So, once I got back to Rome, I started all over again with maestro Andrea Beneventano, a great jazz musician. When I come back to Italy, I take lessons from him, then abroad I continue as self-taught, thanks to books.

Did you have any inspiration, a person who pushed you to take lessons?

No, there is no one in particular who induced me to play. Just curiosity and the desire to learn. It’s a very personal passion: I download the sheet music, translate it and start playing on my own.

And what is the aspect you like most about this new passion?

The daily improvement: day after day, with practice I succeed in something more. After a month, the first song comes out. Through practice and study, I can play a melody that initially seemed impossible to me. It’s beautiful.

How much time do you dedicate to the piano? Do you play before or after matches?

During the weeks leading up to matches, I play almost every day for a few hours. Then, when I go to the hotel before the match, I can’t do it anymore because I don’t have my piano available. As soon as I get home, though, I pick it right back up.

Does playing relaxes you?

It helps me keep my mind busy: the life of an athlete is very particular, when we are not in the gym we have to do something else. In the sports center where I train, I have my piano and in the evening I can play there, while continuing to train other parts of my body.

It’s also quite a strain, isn’t it?

It’s quite a strain: my forearms and hands burn so much. You have to move them in opposite directions a lot, so you need a lot of coordination. Thanks to the piano, I develop new skills.

An artist you particularly like to play?

Without a doubt, Ludovico Einaudi: I love it!

Ok, then reveal one of your tricks and challenge our readers to play one of his songs!

Right hand top notes of “Nuvole bianche”: si la la, si la la, re do do, re do do. To play these well, keep your hands very relaxed. If you touch the keys stiffly, a noise comes out that doesn’t match the melody. You must touch them lightly and let your hands go.

We would like to thank Guido Vianello for telling us about his unsuspected passion for the piano. If you can play the intro to “White Clouds” better than he can, show us by tagging @sportluiss in your Instagram stories and using the hashtag #ASLuissFreeTime.

Keep his advice in mind, though: watch your hands!