The Danger of Talent

May 3, 2021

Every so often I find myself warning a student about the perils of seeing yourself as talented. While I would agree that making music or playing an instrument comes more easily to some, that isn’t necessarily a good thing. In the years I’ve put in so far as a musician, I’ve seen multiple examples of purportedly talented musicians never make it past a mediocre playing level.

I have encountered musicians beginning their journey who were shocked when they discovered how much work was required. Many of them quit, citing a lack of talent. I’ve also had a few students for whom things came especially easily, most of whom have struggled to overcome mistakes and conquer difficult skills. Their progress is impeded at best and, at worst, they quit in defeat.

The specific reason these musicians often don’t succeed in the long term varies, but it almost always comes back to one unfortunately prevalent myth. The myth says that talented people don’t need to work hard at music. This also applies to areas besides music, but I’ll stick with the music angle. In this view, needing to work for mastery is the sign of a talentless person.

Embracing this myth ensures that those with the most ability end up with the least perseverance, resilience, and discipline. In some cases it’s not so much that they lack those things, but that they feel working to succeed at music somehow makes them less as a person. Less talented, less special, less worthy. Every mistake is seen as a failure, and any new skill they can’t do immediately is a blow to their self worth. Either way, the result is the same. The student never comes close to achieving their full potential and often quits entirely.

On the flip side, the most accomplished musicians I know don’t consider themselves extraordinarily talented. Instead, they point to years of hard work and perseverance, to long hours in the practice room and intense studying. These musicians might express a need to practice after making a mistake, rather than seeing themselves as talentless or worthless. They know mistakes can be avoided or solved with effort and time, and they know that applies to everyone.

The fact is, no matter how talented you are, there will come a point when you have to put in the work or give up. In many ways, it’s best if that point comes early on. Those who must learn through hard work from the beginning are better equipped to continue with music (and anything else!) throughout their lives. The limit for them comes down to how much of their time, effort, and resources they are willing or able to dedicate to their music. On the other hand, the limit for those who rely on talent is reached long before their true potential is realized. Because no matter how much ability you have, high level music making is a learned skill.

To wrap up: if you’re a parent, please don’t feel that your child should only take lessons if they’re talented enough! An ability to learn a skill quickly or easily does not equate to success.

On the other hand, if you do have a child with a strong ability, it’s important to encourage them to persevere through the hard things. Long term success requires an understanding that musical accomplishment comes through effort and study, not because of some innate talent.

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5.3.21