Kobe van Beethoven? Kobe Bryant learned to play “Moonlight Sonata” by ear for wife Vanessa

Throughout his life, Kobe Bryant stayed motivated by new areas of endeavor. Like the Holiday Inn ads where guests use a good night’s sleep to address problems outside their purview, when Bryant turned 41 he rode the wave of confidence gained from his legendary basketball career to tackle new challenges.

First up, he learned how to play a classical piano piece by ear. Bryant looped Beethoven’s famed “Moonlight Sonata” on his iPhone while he picked out the melody note-by-note on a keyboard.

Just finished celebrating my 20 year career. It's a blessing to now celebrate 15 years of marriage today! I love you mama per sempre #15yranniversary

A photo posted by Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) on Apr 18, 2016 at 10:46pm PDT

Bryant performed the sonata for his wife Vanessa to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary. If not for his untimely demise, no one would have been surprised if Bryant had gone on to master Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s notoriously difficult “Flight of the Bumblebee.”

Bryant was no newcomer to the world of music. In high school he was part of a rap crew known as CHEIZAW (Canon Homo Sapiens Eclectic Iconic Zaibatsu Abstract Words). Later, as a young star for the Los Angeles Lakers, he spent a summer back east working on his rap skills at Manhattan’s Hit Factory. Signed by Sony, Bryant performed competently when given the opportunity to record a verse on a remix of Brian McKnight’s “Hold Me.”

In January of 2000, Sony Entertainment released the Bryant’s rap single “K.O.B.E.” featuring a hook sung by supermodel Tyra Banks. Unfortunately (or perhaps, mercifully, judging by the public’s reaction to the song), Bryant’s singing career was short lived. Interest in the hoopster/rapper novelty had already begun to wane after earlier offerings from Lakers’ teammate Shaquille O’Neal.

Before his Beethoven performance, Bryant’s previous notable news in the realm of music — aside from Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers playing the national anthem prior to the Black Mamba’s final game — was presenting Taylor Swift with her own banner at Staples Center.

Congrats on record setting 16 sold out shows @taylorswift, most by any artist in the history of STAPLES Center! For that we raise a banner in your honor! #1989TourLA

A video posted by STAPLES Center (@staplescenterla) on Aug 21, 2015 at 11:07pm PDT

In 1989, Bryant surprised Swift at one of her world tour concerts. He appeared on stage to a deafening roar from the crowd and then directed Swift’s attention toward the rafters.

In Bryant’s final months he poured his passion into Granity Studios, an award winning multimedia original content company that was focused on creating new ways to tell stories around sports.