01 Sep 2023
Pianist and Key Board Player | Simon Erick Otieno
- Let's talk about your passion for the piano: how did you start out? How did you learn?
Since I was a child, I used to love music and playing instruments; a passion untold at the time. When at Moi Forces Academy primary school my love for the piano grew though I was never to access one back then until while at Moi Forces Academy Secondary School, Nairobi.
I without a thought took on music as a subject in high school from form 1 to 4. That gave me the foundational piano playing skills. Additionally, this was the only voice and music theory, which gave me a strong ground in voice training choral singing and training. Thanks to that training I am now a Choir choral Trainer and voice coach to various music groups!
It is from my interest to mentor upcoming musicians that with the help of one of my teachers I set St. Paul’s ACK Choir in Nairobi South.
I also doubled as the church keyboardist and spent most of my days assisting the choir master manage the choir activities.
- How easy was it to learn playing?
I would not refer to it as easy but with lots of practice one can get better. For my case, no one was readily available to instruct me so I had to lots of self-training at the beginning. By the time I was completing my high school, I had become so good that I trained quite a number of students.
- What kind of piano do you play and what do you love about it?
While in school I played the upright Grand piano, whereas in church I play the Yamaha electronic keyboard PSR640, PSR 770. Either way I can play any piano make.
- What is your favorite music to play alongside the piano?
Being a church person, I love Gospel music, classical music i.e., the Handel's messiah, I love Accapella music and choir singing.
- Where do you play?
I play mostly hymns in church during praise and worship sessions and worship concerts.
- Describe your best performance this far? (Either in a concert or gathering)
My best performances are during church services or during overnight prayer meetings. I also enjoy playing during KQ prayer meetings most notably during this year’s KQ prayer meeting at Hangar 2 in July.
Any pianist you look out to or one who inspires you?
I used to get inspired by two renowned keyboard players Isaac I and Gideon Kamanzi both of whom serve in churches and have gone to accomplish a lot. They are truly inspirational.
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