When Laura Pausini was around 10 years old, she received a very special gift from her father: her beloved flute.
"It represents the moment in which music became something fundamental for me," the Italian singer recalls in this episode of It Goes to 11, holding her flute lovingly. "It is not just an instrument. It's a part of my life...a part of my family as well."
Pausini isn't exaggerating her flute's significance. It was a gift from her father when she was around 10 years old, and even today, she still uses that same flute to write music and perform.
As the four-time Latin GRAMMY winner explains, she was initially inspired to play the flute after discovering progressive rock pioneers Jethro Tull. Now, her flute actually inspires her own style of singing. "I try to imitate with my voice the sound of the medium-pitched notes," she adds.
But beyond helping her find her sound, the flute has helped Pausini find herself — and helped her realize that music was "truly a part of my soul." Today, her mastery of the instrument has evolved into a long-standing pride and love. It has also led her to several accolades, including some GRAMMY history: In 2006, she became the first Italian female artist to win a GRAMMY.
Press play on the video above to watch Pausini share her love for her flute, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of It Goes to 11.
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