Thursday, July 18, 2013

Piano, Piano: Words 2 Live By

Piano. Piano. I went to Lucca Italian School to learn Italian. What I took away was a philosophy for living.

I'm not sure when piano, piano first flowed into the reservoir of Italian words and phrases in my brain. It may have been during morning break on the second day of school when I asked Angelo, one of the founders, about paying the balance of my fee. Other students were jockying for attention asking about scheduling or housing or what activities were planned for that afternoon. I think it was then that I first heard Angelo say piano, piano. Of course he didn't translate it, but he added something else in Italian that I interpreted as "no need to worry, no rush, we'll figure everything out in due time, just relax."

I immediately translated piano, piano as "softly, softly," drawing upon my long-ago piano playing. Whatever meaning other students attached to it, piano, piano became an instant hit among us. Soon we were saying it to each other and to our teachers and using the critical defining gesture: both hands extended, palms down, fingers spread apart, smoothing the air at waist level.


Angelo, artful practitioner of piano, piano eating a bloom from a tree on a "Parla e Cammina" excursion.


















It wasn't easy going to language school. Another student likened it to being in the first grade again and I think that's a good description, even for students who entered knowing some Italian. Imagine dozens of adults from all over the world, many who are long-time professionals used to being in charge of people and programs, suddenly finding themselves in a position where someone else was in command and everything said and heard was in a language not their own. For people accustomed to grasping information quickly in order to solve problems, meet deadlines, and anticipate the next challenge, the slow pace of learning a new language can be frustrating. No wonder piano, piano struck a chord.

But I mustn't give the wrong impression. The teachers at Lucca Italian School are vivace (brilliant, vivacious)! They love their language, their city and surrounding countryside, their food and wine, and their art and culture. Most of them are natives of Lucca Province and have deep roots in their community. The depth of their knowledge about all things Tuscan inspires their vision for the school: students are welcomed as part of a large, extended family and encouraged in their study of Italian to explore Tuscany and what it means to be Italian. They have created a center of learning that's "all about the student" which is calibrated to bring forth each student's self-confidence to learn Italian without feeling the need to compete and without being judged. As my friend and colleague Eric put it recently, "they don't teach to the test." Pianopiano.

In hindsight, I believe my adventure at Lucca Italian School was the best learning experience I've ever had.The teachers invested their knowledge, energy and creativity in lessons and activities that provided me with a powerful incentive to join in the fun so that I wouldn't miss out on unlocking the mysteries of Italian life.

The first mystery is solved, though, as you already know: piano, piano.


Atop Lucca's walls I am practicing piano, piano with my friend Rebecca.



Piano, piano, guys!

Imparting the wisdom of piano, piano to the young.

And embodying piano, piano for the ages.

Wait a minute! We're not anywhere close to the Veneto! 

The sway of the breeze, the rustle of the card  deck, piano, piano.

In Parma, the street paver personally knows every stone! Piano, piano.

In Bologna, the fish are jumping out of the walls. Piano, piano. 



In Orvieto, i miei amici practice pianopiano while waiting for the sun to set on the cathedral...


And this is their reward!

Ciao for now!

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