Re: Talent vs Practice vs ???
1. Certain qualities are probably innate, such as intelligence, muscular coordination, body size/shape, ability to assimilate and retain information (related to "intelligence"). These may establish the outside parameters of how much a person can develop in a particular area; interest and practice won't make a person exceed the limits genetically imposed.
2. Within those limits, much of what we see as "talent" is interest in a particular area, leading to a person's emphasizing activities that contribute to development in that area. However, the range of genetically-acquired predilections is broad and complicated, so interest and "practice" can expand a person's "talent" to the boundaries of his/her innate abilities, but not past those boundaries.
3. The brain does some pretty amazing things to develop itself, sometimes to compensate for damage or underdevelopment in certain areas. We see cases of persons with severe cognitive or intellectual challenges, who demonstrate prodigious musical skills. Of course, since they receive "rewards" for demonstrating these skills, they spend much of their time in these rewarding activities.
I have played stringed instruments, now, for well over 50 years, and fairly seriously. But, I cannot -- and could not, even with more practice than I currently schedule -- play any of these instruments with the skill level of some of the musicians to whom I listen. There are established personal parameters of coordination, dexterity, and musical data assimilation and comprehension, within which I must operate. Within those parameters, I can increase my abilities through study and practice.
People (not all of 'em!) tell me I'm "talented." I know that I'm not as accomplished as thousands of musicians whose work I've heard. I also know that I could work harder, be more organized, disciplined, and creative, and increase my skill level significantly. But I honestly believe that there are innate limits -- and probably innate proclivities -- that direct, and to some extent foreclose -- each person's development in the various areas of his/her life.
The trick, I suppose, is to understand one's aptitudes and limitations, and maximize positive output and experience within that framework.
Maybe this makes sense…dunno...
Allen Hopkins
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