Music Talent

Talent should not be the primary factor in considering music lessons.

In my experience, most people are able to respond to or to participate in music at some level. In some cases where a person is described as not able to "carry a tune" while singing, the problem may be a mechanical one, a matter of difficulty in managing vocal production. Definitely, some learn to perform more quickly and easily than others. And there are those who are called prodigies who achieve adult artistic levels of performance at ages even as young as 6.

However, one does not have to be a prodigy to perform at satisfying levels, to have significant benefits from music study, or even to have a professional career.

You might have heard of people who have "perfect pitch", who can name the exact pitch name of any musical sound or can sing the pitch unaided when a specific note name is requested. This gift can be identified as young as age 3. Such individuals are usually also gifted in music. However, for each person with perfect pitch, there are many without who are equally or more talented. So it is not necessary. In fact it can be frustrating when singing in an a cappela choir which goes out of pitch, or when playing transposing wind and brass instruments.

Starting age is very often a factor in determining professional success. Talent is more easily developed before age 10 or 12 than after, though one can really begin at any age including senior years. The effects of music learning on brain development is also more noticable when music study takes place at an early age.

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