Alberto Mancini

Which musician has influenced you the most? 
When I was younger, there was this friend of mine who was playing the sax with me. He was barely trained, and played just whatever could with his enormous talent. And at that time I was a boy with a lot of classical training on my shoulders, and couldn’t believe that, somehow, this untrained guy could, eventually, play better than me. This changed my approach to music completely and teached me, once for all, that technique is just a part of the thing. This to me has been the most valuable lesson ever.

What can you teach me about your instruments different than any other teacher?
There is always a better teacher. But I’d love to find someone better than me at teaching the basic stuff (the first approach to piano, the basic harmony, how to write a simple song), just to dialogue and to learn something from them! 

How did you learn to play your instrument?
My family had a piano in the house. When I was a kid, for three years, I didn’t like it at all, I barely studied. Then, I slowly realized that with music if I put some effort in something, I could succeed. And that helped me not only in dedicating myself more to the piano and loving it more and more, but also gave me the confidence of committing at school and everywhere else.

How do you go about writing a song or composing a piece yourself?
I usually start knowing in what style I want to write and what are the techniques that are usually used in that style. I listen a lot of stuff in that specific genre and learn some songs of it, and interiorize them at a point where you can start writing and “automatically” recognize what is good for it or not. When I write stuff just for myself, I just use the most various techniques. Sometimes I just write in rhyme and then put music under it. Sometimes I just have a great melody and put chords under it. No rules when you do stuff for yourself.

On what equipment do you play today?
Now I write on a M1 Macbook. I have a Korg Stage Vintage that is perfect for Rhodes and Wurlizer to play live. I also request it often at festivals. I have a moog little phatty sythesizer, but lately I find more convenient to go around with a computer and a controller. 

What personal trait has helped you when you practice the most?
I had this great professor during my piano bachelor, Franco D’Andrea, who taught me everything I know about jazz piano with love and passion. I owe him a lot.

What does your instrument have that others don't?
Piano is basically an entire orchestra. If you can tame it, it will lead you wherever you want.

What you pay special attention to when you teach?
I love to teach to kids the connection between the voice (the instrument we have built in, and the one they are more familiar with) and the piano. So we always sing the songs we play, they are all fun to sing and to play. I also invent some stories behind every piece so they feel they are part of a story. Also, I like to have fun with my students. There is a clear line where we can or cannot have fun, but enjoying the lesson is an essential part of the process. Also I take extra care at the learning curve: it has to be as smooth as possible.

How do you build up your music lessons?
My lessons start with a little chat with the student: how much they studied, why, I ask what they enjoyed and where they may have found some difficulty. Then we start the actual lesson, usually with some technique to warm up the fingers. Then we play some pieces, usually matching some reading exercises. If the lesson requires it, we proceed with some theory information related to the piece we are studying. I prefer to alternate piano-related exercises to other activities.

What do you do with children?
I start knowing them and getting familiar with them. Becoming a friend, and not only a teacher, it is very important to me to build trust and passion. Of course, it’s not just fun and games: they have to respect you and do what you tell them. But that’s my approach, usually, and I think it works the vast majority of the times.

What was until now your greatest experience as a musician?
I don’t know. Maybe going to Osaka in Japan to play traditional Italian music. That experience has been incredible.

What was the largest stage that you've performed on?
With the band Motel Kaiju it happened to us to travel a lot. I can’t say if the stage in Lviv Jazz Festival (Ukraine) was bigger than the Nisville Festival (Serbia). Also with my band Deaf Kaki Chumpy we played for hundreds of people.

Which musician would you like to play with?
I want to choose a dead one! Miles Davis for sure 100%. If I have to choose an alive one, I’d say I’d write music for Hans Zimmer of course! And I would love to perform with Luis Cole.

Which record would you bring to a desert island?
Probably I’d bring a (long) Ella Fitzgerald album where she sings Cole Porter songs. There’s EVERYTING in it. Or maybe the Sacre du Printemps. I don’t know, it’s very difficult to choose. I’d choose a record that has a lot of layers, so you can dive into different aspects of it, and never get bored.

On which stage do you prefer to perform?
Hamburg Elbphilarmonie with no doubt.

After music, what is important in your life?
Friendships and food for sure. I love to read, to play chess, to cook, to write stories. Tons.