Does success in music come from talent or practice?

Is talent or practice more important to become a skilled and successful musician?

First, it’s important to acknowledge that “success” means different things to different people. For some, it might look like earning a living as a gigging musician. For others, it might mean perfectly executing a difficult classical piece. Some may want to achieve acceptance to a prestigious conservatory or get a part in a musical theater production. Some may simply wish to enjoy the process of learning and engaging with the discipline of music. The only version of success you should ultimately be striving for is the one that is personally meaningful to you.

But in a general sense, success implies that you have developed a high level of proficiency at a craft and you can perceive forward progress over time, no matter how incremental. But do you get there by talent alone? Absolutely not.

Talent or Practice?

Some people believe that you are either born with the gift of playing music (or any other specific skill or creative endeavor) or you aren’t, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are rare individuals who truly do not feel ANY connection to music, and a few may be legitimately tone deaf or have zero aptitude. But musicality and the ability to find joy in making beautiful music is not some elusive magical gift. It is something that can be achieved by anyone with the interest and the passion and the willingness to put in the work.

Sometimes, tremendous talent can even be a roadblock to success. When people are praised early and often that they are naturally gifted at something, they can lose a willingness to work hard because they think they are already great. These individuals can end up with an inflated sense of self-importance, a reluctance to take risks (the essence of creativity) and a fear of failure so strong it can become paralyzing.

What the Masters Say

One of my favorite things to do at Stages is attend Masterclasses. I love listening to the variety of talented & successful professionals sharing their music and their journey. Even though most of the masterclasses I’ve attended have been far beyond my skill level or not even on an instrument I play, I have learned something valuable and inspiring from each and every one.

But the single thread I’ve heard from each of these musical masters – regardless of what instrument they play- is that they unlocked their creativity and success largely through hard work, time, investment and energy. These are things we all possess and – should we choose to channel them into music (or any other artistic endeavor or skill) – it cannot help but pay off if you stick with it.

“What you focus on grows” has always been a mantra I use when I need to be reminded that I can achieve most anything I want if I’m willing to put my focus and energy into, in a consistent manner, for a significant period of time. I have found that to be true over and over again in my own life and hear that message coming through from each of the master musicians I have heard speak at Stages.

To a one, they chalk their success up to an insatiable NEED to fulfill the musical compulsion inside of them and put hours and hours and hours of practice over many years into their craft. If you study successful people in any arena – the word you hear tossed around is grit. Want it. Work for it. Don’t give up. That’s it. Hard work wins, hands down.

Another Key To Success: Kindness

One other common theme among the masterclasses I’ve observed is, as they put it” – “just don’t be a jerk.” It sounds crass, but what they mean by that is – be kind, be a good person, be a team player, be a fun person to hang out with, and you will always find a way to be successful in music. Most bands would much rather have a less-than-technically-perfect musician who is fun to be around than a perfect technician who is not dependable, kind or a pleasure to be around.

So – if you want to be a “successful” musician, the formula seems pretty simple to me. Be a good person. Follow your passions. Work Hard. Don’t give up. And success – as you define it – is yours.

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Does success in music come from talent or practice?

Talent or Practice?

What the Masters Say

Another Key To Success: Kindness

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