Can Talent Be Learned?

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During my years as a high school band director, I often had a nagging feeling that the tail was wagging the dog. We worked many, many hours preparing for this contest and that contest. We were so busy preparing for contests that there was very little time left to actually teach music. The kids in my band had great technique, they were practically professional - in fact, we spent a lot more time practicing and rehearsing than many professionals do. We won contests, but still there was this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I was not teaching "Music".  

I know that some of the kids picked it up because a large number of them went on to become professional musicians and music teachers. But to be truthful, I think that those were the kids that would  have done well at just about anything. Being in the band may have given them some inspiration, but I still do not feel that it was because I was teaching them to understand music.

There were other kids who wanted to so badly, but no matter how hard they worked, or how hard I tried to teach them, it just was not there. Of course there is always the hope in my mind that those kids were just late bloomers, and that now they are enjoying a rich and full musical life.

What brought all of this on, is the video above of 8 year old Geoffrey Gallante. Listen to Geoffrey's phrasing as he performs in this video. Clearly, he is doing more than just playing the notes. He plays better than many of the "pro" musicians that I know.

I would like to know how much of this is innate musicality and how much is the result of good teaching and coaching?

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