Musical Talent?

​

When we encounter great musicians, we often think to ourselves that they must be prodigies. Well, this is about half right. There are many ongoing debates regarding musical talent, and this article will organize that concept and analyze how it impacts musicians. 

 

There are mainly two types of musical talent: innate and acquired. Due to this, the central debate boils down to Nature versus Nurture. Some claim that people do not have a natural gift in music, but some individuals inevitably display more "musical sense" than others. These characteristics may be: 

​

• Noticing Off Key Music

• Remembering Melodies

• Singing in Tune

• Rhythmic Speaking

• Humming to Themselves

• Tapping Rhythmically 

• Perfect Rhythmic Ability

• Interest in a Variety of Music 

• Sensitivity to Environmental Sounds

• Identify and Imitate Pitch with Precision

• Fondness for Playing Instruments from a Young Age

• Ability to Learn and Express Music via Recognition and Imitation

 

Otherwise, people acquire these abilities through musical education. Both "methods" of talent is important as they hold different benefits. Having a thorough musical education allows the musician to develop technical skills such as sight-reading with precision. However, these individuals may lack fluency in group performances, which is more dependent on the qualities of natural talent listed above. 

 

The question is, how crucial is this "natural talent?" Not all, but many can access music education, but the difference in natural abilities is set as we are born. To answer the question, having natural talent is like being given the privilege to get a "head start." Of course, having more natural talent in music may be useful, but by no means necessary to become a great musician. Some fall in depression as they see other "prodigies" shine. As mentioned in the introduction, it is only half the right to call prominent musicians as prodigies. The astonishing performances we see and hear by musicians are produced by effort and practice; talent alone cannot bring those results. 

 

Passion and dedication to music is what is required for musicians⁠—not talent. Lack of talent may require individuals to invest more time, but that will not stop them from becoming a great musician.

 

The difference in talent is something that we cannot change, and because it is unalterable, it is best to simply move forward. 

​

 

Written by Eric Lee