Emile aims to open a studio

Skillful fingers on the piano keyboard, the harmony in the notes of the National Anthem played by Emile Fredric sent everyone including the guest of honour to their feet out of admiration. Emile was all smiles.

A pupil at Kibangu English medium, he is a keen piano player able to play not just the National Anthem but many other songs as well.

That was during the school’s education exhibitions where his skills got nurtured.

“I was very young when I started to play the piano toys that my parents bought for me. That is when I developed love of the piano,” Emile tells Young Citizen.

His talent was immediately recognised and nurtured by his parents. His father surprised him when he brought home a Piano. That marked a great starting point of his music career. Emile was also introduced to a teacher who taught him piano playing techniques during the weekends.

“To begin with, piano classes were challenging, as I was not used to the keyboard. Through time however, I came to master everything including notes, keys and chords. It was real fun for me,” says Emile.He recalls that to start with, he mastered simple melodies which he developed into those requiring more energy and skills. The young pianist agrees that one needs to have a good ear for tunes and be able to pick up some basic chord together with knowledge from books.

“The piano is a unique and interesting instrument, and is also fun to play. While you may think that it is impossible to become a good pianist in a short time, from my point of view, I think it is possible to master it,” he says.

Emile can describe physical parts of the piano including the 88 keys. According to him, white keys are called naturals because they make natural notes when pressed. Black piano keys are called accidentals because they make a sharp or flat note when pressed.

“You need to be relaxed when you start playing. One also needs to enjoy it,” he adds.

Asked where he sees himself in future, Emile said he wants to be a doctor because he likes science, Mathematics and ICT subjects but pursue his musical talent and possibly open a recording studio where he will record music.