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Lovemore Meya Cool Lifestyle Writer
Talent Kasina (14) is demonstrating that one is never too young to make choices about the direction that they want to take in life. The pint-sized boy, who is doing Form 2 at Churchill Boys High chose to be a bagpipe star. Diminutive as he is, Talent is very talented and he plays the instrument with precision. Taking up the challenge from his fellow band members, older than him, Talent said he found his heart yearning for the instrument.
“What I know about bagpipes is that they are played in Scotland and form part of their culture. They are played most often during functions. “Although it is a foreign instrument that is not indigenous to our culture, I never faced any challenges on learning how to play it. This was made simple by making an informed decision.’
“I was lured into the school band after seeing other students of my age being magical by playing our national anthem and I decide to join them,” he said. Talent encouraged parents to support their children in whatever they want to do in life and stop choosing for them.
He said after it was announced that he could join the school band, his heart skipped a bit. “From that day, I practice with others at school on a daily basis. This is what I want to be in life, no one can tell what to do since by doing what my heart desires, it means I can reach places,” said Talent.
He said one of the features he liked about the pipe band is their dress code. “I look good when I am wearing that green skirt called kilt. In theory it sounds awful for a man to be donning a skirt, but I enjoy it most. “Up to date I have travelled a lot and played in places like Bvumba Mountains, Leopard Rock, Gweru including a number of schools in the city,” he said.
Talent had special moments when he performed at Leopard Rock and Bvumba Mountains. Talent wishes to continue playing the instrument and his dream is to go and finish his education in Scotland. Backed by his parents’ support, Talent said the secret to learning the bagpipe is simple and very straightforward.
“The instrument is very light and for one to play it with precision you need about a month of instruction. You blow air into the bag until it is full, place it in the armpit and gradually press it to release air and control the fingers to produce a melodic harmony. “You continuously add some air in the bag while controlling the tune with your fingers,” he explained, which sounds quite complicated to
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