Expertise Dissected, Essay Example

The author argues that the acquisition of musical talent is in part due to genetics and environmental factors. Even though many people are able to learn music skills as adults, most are not able to become experts at the instruments or vocals they intend to harness. On the other hand, individuals that are genetically predisposed for this talent are able to more easily learn the skills they need to become great at their chosen musical talent. Therefore, individuals with genetics that help them build the cognitive and manual skills needed for success are more likely to become talented musicians. As a consequence, a majority of the individuals we listen to today that have been able to achieve greatness have likely been born with these musical skills, to an extent.

One of the most poignant arguments that the author makes is that “some people simply acquire musical skills more rapidly than others”. This is due to a combination of genetics and training. Individuals who train earlier as musicians have more time to hone their skill and are therefore more likely to become great. In addition, during this period of time, it is important for these individuals to practice frequently. It has been found that individuals that practice a lot versus those who don’t are likely to be twice as better at music as their non-practicing counterparts. Therefore, nurturing the art of music is an important component of building skill.

An additional piece of supporting evidence is that most research studies have found that if individuals practice something for 10,000 hours or greater, they are likely to become world renowned experts. While this demonstrates that practice is certainly important, some people are able to achieve perfection more quickly than others, while others need more than 10,000 hours of practice to achieve this greatness. Therefore, it is apparent that even though practice is a major component of musical success, there is also some underlying genetic cause that allows people to learn a particular skill more quickly or slowly.

According to a study conducted at Florida State University, it is possible to physically study others in order to become a better musician. Individuals that study their favorite musical artists are therefore able to take on their mannerisms to perfect their own music and create their own artistic age. While anyone could do this, it is essential to consider that analytical skills are a major contributor to the success or failure of this activity. Individuals that are more genetically predisposed to perform well in music are therefore more likely to have better analytical skills when trying to pick up new ideas from the music they enjoy.

In conclusion, it is apparent that a mixture of genetics and environmental factors allow one to become proficient in their musical talents. While practice is a key component of refining this talent, individuals who are born with certain skills can build their talent more readily. Research studies have been performed to indicate that practice is an important component of building musical skill, although not all people are able to become well-versed in their musical talent after 10,000 hours of practice. Individuals that are genetically gifted are able to accomplish this more quickly, while those with less natural skill need to practice more. Overall, it is clear that genetics and practice influence talent, and that each individual should learn to create a understanding of these factors to design the best music training program for them.