Do you think it is helpful or harmful to think about talent?

ranjit

As someone learning to play the piano, do you find that it helps to believe that talent doesn't exist, or that anyone can become a virtuoso? etc. Just wondering what people think.

iternabe

ranjit or that anyone can become a virtuoso

This apparently cannot be true if a virtuoso must be able to play Rachmaninov or Scriabin which is simply impossible for my small hand that cannot reach a 9th.

Of course, talent is not limited to physical abilities. But when you get to know someone who has certain extraordinary mental talents, you may find out that there are abilities you just cannot match whatever you do. Realizing this does not need to lead to despair. On the contrary, with the right attitude, it will help you to recalibrate and work towards the path that’s possible and fruitful for you.

iternabe

I am reading Brahms Biography by Jan Swafford. Brahms is no doubt super talented. Yet he worked so hard to perfect his craft. That, IMHO, is the recipe for greatness.

I think either (talent, hard work) may get one half-way. Talent may give one a head start. But slack off, and other hard workers soon catch up. On the other hand, one can get very good by putting in the work with perseverance, but may not be able to break the final barrier into greatness without talent.

There is also nothing wrong with admitting one's own lack of talent, and be content with achieving the best one could.

pianoloverus

iternabe Brahms is no doubt super talented

For a composer at the level of Brahms, I think using an adjective like talented or even super talented Is very insufficient. Doesn't one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music deserve an adjective like genius?

Gombessa

iternabe I think either (talent, hard work) may get one half-way. Talent may give one a head start. But slack off, and other hard workers soon catch up.

This 100%. I am not naturally talented at much of anything. But I have the privilege of a good enough life where I can afford to throw time and effort at my problems, without worrying about putting food on the table. So in school I had the time to study twice as many hours as everyone else. When I work, I put in 12+ hours normally even if I don't have to. I do the same with piano, and just about anything else that's important to me.

And that has gotten me really far, including more success than people I recognize are much more talented/natural than I am. But the moment someone like that puts in real effort, they shoot by like I'm standing still and there's just no way I could ever catch up.

That's fine. I'm profoundly envious of these folks, but I know life is a huge lottery, and there's always going to be someone better than you.

rogerch

I am much more talented at my career (software) than I am at piano. The contrast makes me very aware of my limitations.

With both software and piano I also apply hard work and determination. I find the slow progress I achieve at the piano to be rewarding in a different way from software where things come more easily. I like that I can learn and improve and enjoy the piano even though it's hard.

I don't aspire to be a virtuoso. If I had gone down that road when I was younger I imagine my lack of talent would have limited how far I got. Who knows? I'm pretty good at hard work and determination. Maybe that's a talent too?

I believe that talent exists. I think someone with a lot of talent can become a virtuoso more easily than someone with less. I think someone with less musical talent but lots of motivation and determination can still become a very high level player.

pianoloverus

If one doesn't think talent exists, one would be forced to say that all the greatest pianists didn't have talent. Does anyone actually think they were able to achieve what they did simply because they had great teachers and worked very hard? Of course, one doesn't have to have talent on that level(genius in the case of the greatest pianists) to be rightly called talented.

thepianoplayer416

I started piano as an adult for stress relief. I wasn't at all concerned about whether I had the talent. I had a lot of stress from work so would come home everyday and play for least an hour like taking my regular dose of multivitamins. I wasn't focused on playing very technical pieces than some interesting songs to cheer me up at the end of the day.

I my younger days I didn't consider myself to be talented in anything. I waited 3 decades before buying my first keyboard and then getting a teacher for lessons. Now that I'm not pursuing a career as a professional pianist, talent doesn't mean much.

pianoloverus

Gombessa iternabe I think either (talent, hard work) may get one half-way. Talent may give one a head start. But slack off, and other hard workers soon catch up.

This 100%.

Yes, but catching up to a talented person who is not working hard is not the same as being able to reach the same level that a talented person who is very motivated and has a strong working ethic can reach.

MRC

Talent comes in many forms. Somebody may not be gifted with particular physical dexterity, but they may have great powers of concentration, the ability to work hard for long hours or a capacity for assimilating advice. Those are talents too.

Simonb

I'm sure we're all talented but in different ways, and at different levels. But I think you have to be incredibly deluded (and probably vain and arrogant) to seriously believe that you have as much talent as a brilliant musician, whether it be Beethoven, Paul McCartney, Herbie Hancock or John Williams - either of them :-).

No I don't think Paul McCartney is a virtuoso, but virtuosity isn't the only indication of talent.

Cheers