Over the weekend I had a heart to heart with one of my students.
They were beating themselves up over their progress and it all came down to one question...
“Do you think I have the talent to play guitar?”
My answer was of course undoubtedly “YES!”... but first we had to talk about what “talent” really means. And what it should mean to you.
Here’s what I said to the student…
“Dave…” we’ll call him… “here’s what I think it really means to be talented.
Talent isn’t something anyone is born with.
Not a single person on this earth is ‘naturally talented’... or ‘naturally gifted.’
Is the journey of learning the guitar harder for some? Yes.
Do some people seem to just ‘click’ with the guitar? Yes… and there are many reasons for this. (Perhaps a story for another article.)
But does that mean you don’t ‘have the talent to play?’... Definitely not.
Talent is something that is created in someone. It’s something that is earned.
Sure it takes a little bit of hard work. And sure there will be times where your patience, will power, motivation, and desire will be tested. But anything that’s worth doing in life usually takes some effort.
And I can tell you that the reward is faaaar greater than the frustration you experience along the way.
You’ve just gotta ride the wave (so to speak) and as long as you’re putting in little bits of practice each day it gets better.
That’s how people become talented.
Through persistent, consistent effort each day.
I hesitated to write this article today because this idea of talent can be emotionally triggering. But I think it’s an important message that we all need reminding of. Myself included.
So wherever you’re at with your playing. If you’re super motivated and excited about guitar. Or if you’re down-in-the-dumps because you’re feeling stuck with something…
Just remember this...