Klarinet Archive - Posting 000269.txt from 1996/06

From: Stan Geidel <sgeidel@-----.NET>
Subj: new discussion topic: talent vs hard work
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 17:22:28 -0400

Friends,

I propose the following discussion topic...

Let's imagine two very different students. The first student possesses
signficant talent; things come naturally and easily to this individual.
Long hours in the practice room are not really necessary for this person to
attain excellent results; results appear after only a modest investment of time.
The second student is only of modest talent, but has an uncompromising
work ethic. This second student is willing to spend uncounted hours in the
practice room to do "whatever it takes" to excel on the clarinet.

All other things being equal, which hypothetical student would achieve more
over time, both instrumentally and musically? I am asking the question,
"What is more important: innate ability, or hard work?"

--Stan Geidel