Anna1111 wrote:
There may well be a genetic link to being a world's *best* musician, but even Mozart & Yo Yo Ma had to do massive *practice* to become great musicians (Yo Yo Ma, like Mozart was a child prodigy, but we have pretty good records on how much training & practice his parents required of him while he was still a preschooler!). And many folks without the gene could be pretty good if they worked at it. You never know what genetic propensity your kid has till they give it a few years and get reasonably good - then the genius can begin to develop.
Unfortunately, we have an entire culture of people who think *everything* is genetic or instantaneous and never work for *anything*
Even in the Biblical passages, there was a strong nurture link - back in those days, sons did their father's work, because that's all they were ever apprenticed in. It was not just genetics, but also exposure.
Oh, absolutely! Even a gifted singer improves with practice and TRAINING. Someone that works hard and has a good teacher can end up better than someone with a gift that never works at it. No doubt about that.
When I learned piano I just assumed it was something to do for life but that didn't help me get good!
I have no clue who YoYoMa is, LOL.