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I don't mean full on compositions, either, but just really anything original. Even if its the simplest little diddy ever you just improvised out of your a**.

I mean, I'm all for playing other people's pieces, because its a way to improve your own playing, but ultimately I see playing other people's pieces as a way to assimilate their techniques into your own playing and make your own original music better. Yet I never see that. I've found the amount of musicians who can play something original and especially the amount of musicians who can do any kind of improvisation is really disappointing.

No. You're wrong. see, none of that is a talent. A talent is something you're born with. You weren't born being good at reading sheet music, or being able to count to music. I used to have no timing at all, but all I had to do was work on it and now I just can't lose the beat. These things are skills.

Improvisation is not something that's difficult. Do you know how easy it is to improvise? Do you realize how easy it is to make your own music? Apparently you don't, because all you have to do is hum a melody and then arbitrarily assign a key to that melody and play that melody on your instrument on choice. Anyone can do it. Same thing with composing, because composing is just taking a melody and making chords out it with a bunch of instruments.

Music is not a talent because no one is born instantly able to make it. Some people are just born with more of an affinity for others than others. Its why you get your Beethovens, you get your Beatles, and then you get your Avril Lavignes.

I dont agree, I believe music is a skill yes, but some people are better than others, aka talent. Talent is the ability to progress at the skill quickly, or even understand them. I wasnt born being able to play an oboe no, but with others that began learning oboe at the same time with the SAME experience, and lessons, we ended up in different places, and some couldnt do it at all. The difference between us isnt skill, its the talent to perform a skill. So I have to respectfully disagree.


First of all dont insult my intelligence. Im not an idiot as far as music, please at least be respectful. Im halfway through a bachelors in music education, and i've been playing the oboe and flute for 13 years.

Improvisation is not hard to you because you can actually do it. No its not hard to sit down at a piano and make a simple MELODY. No s**t thats easy a 2 yr old can do it. But when your on the spot with a harmony going on, ummmm not so easy to some people. Originality is something a lot of people have trouble with.

And yes I know what composition is... Its learned by every music major in part writing in music theory. That dosnt mean your any good at it. Some people can just sit down and write with MUCH more ease that others.



Affinity for music = Talent for music. What you call "affinity" is what the rest of us call talent.

dictionary.com
Talent - a special natural ability or aptitude
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Oh, and dont talk down to me just because you disagree.

I can count on one hand how many times I've actually composed something. I like to improvise on violin. I just don't have the patience to write it down. Maybe I'll hire some transcription service (I think I actually saw a flyer somewhere advertising it). I commend any musician will to give not only hours to create and rehearse music, but more hours to put it on paper.

I almost wish I was studying jazz because of their ability to improvise so cleanly on the spot. Sometimes the improvisation is better than the original piece itself (if the player's frighteningly good).

I'm not good at composing, I just don't know how to start.
I think I should try simple melodies first and practice more...

I still think there's such thing as musical talent...

Some people are just better without trying any harder if at all. And in some cases the people that try the hardest i've ever seen, still fall short in comparison. I've seen it way to many times to think otherwise.

Its the same with painting, art, sports, acting ect... some people are just.... good. And they really dont have to try as hard. Some others want it maybe more so, and try just as hard if not harder, but they may never make it as far. This is certianly not every case, but it does speak for quite a few.

The difference in them is a natural ability... called talent.

I believe if your in a musical career long enough you'll see this, ESPECIALLY if you teach.

Oh and yes there are some people who just cant do music, I have met them. I never used to believe it but now I do from experience. Disagree with me if you want.. But I have seen it.
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I kinda threw the topic off so im not talking about it anymore.

I like to improvise on the guitar but as far as composing and writing goes I never tried it but maybe I will some day when I get better at music.