Hard Work Vs. Talent

A thought occurred to me the other day upon entering the choir room at my High School. I walked in and immediately my director handed me a piece of music and told me to start working on it. I was beginning to feel very overwhelmed about all the music I have to prepare for Contest this spring. With taking a saxophone solo and ensemble, a vocal ensemble, plus music for my large ensembles I participate in, it's not surprising this new piece wasn't exactly exciting for me. I expressed my concern about preparing so much music and she knowingly replied "Oh I understand. That's what happens when you're talented!" It's that statement that got me thinking.

What's the difference between talent and hard work? I don't consider myself and exceptionally talented individual because I know how hard I have to work to make a piece of music speak the way I want. Merriam Webster dictionary defines talent as " a special ability that allows someone to do something well." My personal definition expands on this a bit. I fee like talent gives someone the ability to do something well with little rehearsal and exposure to the task. Everyone knows somebody like this (you know the person in your life). There's always that person that no matter what they try, they succeed almost immediately. The rest of us though have to remember to work hard always. It's important to remember that just because someone has a natural talent in certain area, doesn't mean they have a divine right to it. So to all you hard workers out there, just keep doing what you're doing and you'll get there all the same and be a better person because of it.

Musically,
William Miller