Are musicians born or made? (Research article)

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Scientists Have Discovered Proof That Musicians Are Fundamentally Different From Everyone Else

Their skills are literally in their DNA.

The news: Contrary to what we were told growing up as we trudged to music lessons and spent hours working on our piano fingerings or flute exercises, practice doesn't make perfect. That is, unless you have the genetic profile for a star.

Regardless of the hours spent practicing, two twins have about the same musical ability, according to a recent study published in the journal Psychological Sciences. Sorry Malcolm Gladwell fans, it appears 10,000 hours might not even cut it.

How do researchers know it's genes, and not something else? Because they studied twins. Since they share their DNA, twins help scientists determine how factors outside the genes influence characteristics like music ability.

Lead researcher Miriam Mosing looked at more than 1,000 pairs of identical twins (who share all their genes) and roughly the same number of fraternal twins (who share half). She then found the ones who sang or played a musical instrument and asked each to estimate how many hours a week they practiced at different ages.

Mosing then used three tests to measure the person's ability to detect differences in each of pitch, melody and rhythm. Unfortunately, for those putting in countless hours of practice, it seemed the real talent was mostly innate.

Here's the craziest finding: In one pair of twins Mosing studied, the difference in total practice time over the course of both subjects' lives was a whopping 20,228 hours of practice. Regardless, their musical ability was found to be the same.

This isn't the first test of this sort: A previous study of identical twins not only had similar results, but it also found that the tendency to practice in the first place is also under genetic control. Sounds like an endless spiral, right?

So here's what we have: People with better genes will become better musicians, no matter how much they practice, and people with the genes to become better musicians are already programmed to practice more.

It looks like that old joke might have to be altered: How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Genetics, genetics, genetics.

By Erin Brodwin, original link: http://mic.com/articles/93125/scien...licymicFB&utm_medium=main&utm_campaign=social
 
I dun think so, skills can be learned provided one has interest, time, mentor and resource

all my 3 bros learned organ and all of us learned a second instrument.

I learned the most which includes all instruments in a combo band setup


nothing terror about knowing music, it's just another ability; no need to ya ya papaya

those who can make millions out of music are TERROR !!!

zerror zerror zerror !!! is war coming ? dun be knock out by terror !
 
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I don't think it's about terror or just playing Fur Elise on keyboard, I think the 'musicians are born' means those genius or those who play very difficult pieces on piano without much effort. Rollstone, Music is an art to learn over a lifetime, not a 3 months course.
 
Genetics has flaws as well. I've met skilled musician parents but the kids want to be doctors and lawyers while some have no musicality gene in their entire family tree yet the kids are talented with music.

So I'd say, talent is recognized (at young age), passion/drive to improve is realized.. With hardwork and pure effort.

Two people can put in 50'000 hrs of effort, but if you practise only to repeat the mistake over and over while the other practises to avoid making the old mistake and make new ones, the comparison would be quite immeasurable or inaccurate because humans are not cut and paste clones
 
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