Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2011

Department

Music

Language

English

Publication Title

Journal of Singing

Abstract

The writer discusses whether there is something like innate talent as stated by Howe et al. (Behavioral and Brain Sciences 1998;21:437), by evaluating the many responses and studies on the topic for more than a decade. Teachers simply do not have the luxury to entertain the notion of talent. Most independent teachers literally cannot afford to, and institutionally affiliated teachers generally cannot withhold instruction from admitted students due to the lack of something as hazy and subjective as “natural gifts.” The idea of innate talent could have damaging effects on those who secretly fear that they do not have it and those who believe they possess it the most. In the light of Ericsson's theory of “Deliberate Practice” and Dweck's “Mindsets,” the unequivocal answer to students is to get over themselves and get to work.

Comments

This published version is made available on Dickinson Scholar with the permission of the publisher. For more information on the published version, visit National Association of Teachers of Singing's Website.

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