There are some things I do agree with in your argument such as that it takes more than talent alone to succeed. Absolutely agree. I also agree about hardware Vs. VST. What I take exception to is:
hshs wrote:Nonsense.
"Talent" as such does not exist, as this has been proven in several studies and books by authors such as Malcolm Gladwell. "Talented" people are the ones who practice the most, that is all.
Just because there is some “scientific†text stating it is true does not mean that is the truth whole truth and no gray area. Unless it is a law of Science, we cannot take it as a given with zero questions. Please remember there were printed books that stated the earth was the center of the universe at one time. Many disproved that. Once a Heliocentric solar system was agreed upon, circular orbits were documented in textbooks. Kepler had different ideas. There were books that stated it was physically impossible to run a mile in less than 6 minutes. It is common these days.
While talent does take some practicing to maximize, if you don’t have it you can practice till the cows come home it will not spontaneously appear. Some things come very easily to individuals, they are gifts or "talent." A musical genius like Bernard Herrmann received his first award in composition at the age of 13 I believe. He went to Juilliard for a spell and then quit. It wasn’t the school that made him (he quit), it was his (insert omniscient being of your choice) given talent. Talent which he did hone of course, but it wasn’t ongoing practice that made him a memorable composer. How many kids take lessons and practice practice practice and we never hear of them as great composers especially at the age of 13. There is a friend of mine who is a professional concert musician (flautist) for the Houston Symphony. However, she cannot compose a thing even though she's tried. Exceptional musician, yes; however she doesn't have the talent to compose. Some musicians have both. She does not. I have talent in the area of mathematics/science; I make my living as a scientist. I was identified very early in my youth as a gifted student genius IQ etc. etc. I rarely if ever studied, the night before a test I would read sections and learn what it was I had to learn; I did this all through grade school to university. I did very well in school and in university I often was the curve buster after having skipped class. I did not put the time in others did and I received better grades than many. If I had put the time in, of course I would have done even better. However, there were students studying much more than I was; yet I beat their test scores and grasped concepts much more easily. My boss received his PhD from MIT, he is beyond gifted. No amount of studying will get me to his level of intellect. There are more gifted souls out there. I also played American football growing up. I worked harder than most in practice, yet I was never the fastest in the 40yd dash. Some gifts are given to people at birth and others aren’t. Constant practice will enhance those gifts, but it will not manufacture them. If that was the case, the world would be full of world class musicians/mathematicians/scientist etc. If two are gifted equally, the one that practices more naturally will excel more. However, one who is gifted/talented can get by without practicing as much as someone who is not gited/talented. I am intelligent but if I study as hard as I can, there will not be a Law of Science named after me. That is reserved for the likes of Newton, Einstein, Boyle. I’m not even the smartest person on my floor. So I can work harder and my IQ will suddenly rise? I work hard already, I am smart but I work with some that are “brilliant.†My level and IQ are what they are. I do have a level of musical talent (as many do on this board). If I practice every waking moment that I have at my disposal I'll improve. However, I’m more than sure my name will not be included with the likes of Mozart, Wagner, Herrmann, The Spice Girls etc. I accept that I do not have their gifts. I could still make a hit record... that as we know does not always take talent as exhibuted by (insert favorite Autotune Hip Hop artist here).
"No matter where you go... there you are."
