The plight of the self-declared “non-musically Inclined”
Every superhero origin story has its mythology. They have their unsuspecting normal person who suddenly realizes they have superpowers. All of a sudden, someone can fly! Or they have Spidey sense! Enter Hollywood’s (Marvel and DC) idea of how talent or superpowers are born. And society’s warped concept of what natural talent means.
Can Musical Talent be Natural?
Is there such a thing as natural talent? This is a great question. There, of course, is on some level. But in my experience, it is not as preordained as people make it seem.
I come from a long line of musicians on my father’s side of the family. My great-grandfather played with John Philip Sousa’s band. My great-grandmother (his wife) studied organ at Oberlin Conservatory. My great-uncle (their son) was a lifelong trombonist. He played in the Ed Sullivan band, and even appears on the Miles Davis record Porgy and Bess and so much more. My father was a saxophonist. Though not his full-time profession, he played in groups for decades. And made a healthy second income doing so. Not bad, right?
How Guitar Talent Really Works
So, is it that simple? Was I handed a genetic superpower? The truth? Yes and no. Natural talent does not absolutely mean you’ll be great at something.
Let’s say you come from a family with a long line of heart disease. Are you guaranteed to have heart disease? Not necessarily. Sure, you might have a higher risk than someone else. But there is no definite you will have heart disease.
It was not definite that I would be a great musician either. While the probability is greater, a lot has to happen to go along with natural talent.
Why Musical Talent Isn’t Always Enough
I have a great ear for music. I feel music very passionately. But just like an athlete, you must continue to develop raw talent to really excel. It takes work. Commitment.
Aaron Judge didn’t hit 62 homers in a season just because he was gifted. Being naturally athletic and 6ft 7” doesn’t hurt. But you couldn’t just put any tall, athletic man in the batter’s box and get that result. He did the work.
All the musicians you see on stage have done an incredible amount of work to get where they are. Dedication to the craft, any craft really, is more important than any natural talent.
What if I Have “Less” Musical Talent?
Learning something out of your comfort zone is one of the best things you can do. Anyone who is willing to work and loves music can become a great player.
While it’s really great to teach super-gifted students, that is not the only time I do my best teaching. I have taught people that weren’t natural musicians. And it is a great experience!
Excelling at Guitar Without a Natural Aptitude
Every teacher has students that aren’t successful. But I have always found those students have one or a combination of these negative traits. And it doesn’t have anything to do with talent.
Not Taking Regular Lessons
This is a big one. Working with your teacher every week keeps you responsible to present your work to someone. It also can help clarify an issue, correct a habit, or inspire you to practice more. The student that cancels all the time doesn’t get that benefit.
Not Practicing
The student who doesn’t practice regularly, of course, another issue. Practice should be in small daily doses. As close to daily as your schedule reasonably will allow.
The Contrarian
It is perfectly fine to ask a teacher to explain why they want you to do something. However, your teacher has been at this longer than you. Their vantage point may not always seem clear at first. HAVE FAITH IN THEIR ADVICE! You couldn’t possibly know what they know and see what they see if you are just starting out. Use your instructor’s knowledge as a tool, not an intellectual obstacle.
Lacking Confidence
Using the words can’t, natural talent, or musically inclined. Those are excuses, not solutions!
On the back of one of my guitars, I have a sticker of the Apollo 11 moon landing commemorative patch. This reminds me that if we, as a species, can land on the moon, then I can learn how to play six guitar strings.
It’s one small leap for your fingers. One giant leap for your musical education.
-JD