Or is there something that you have to be born with? Something that you either have or you don't? Something that no amount of instrument practice and music theory and sound engineering courses and synth manuals and hours of slaving away at melodies and chords and beats in front of your computer will ever provide?

Maybe this question haunts every producer who hasn't yet written anything that he truly believes is moving and "professional." I know I think about it sometimes. Anyway, this little exchange in another thread made me think about the issue:

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Mystery There are just some things that cannot be taught - the things you were or weren't born with. At the end of the day it doesn't even matter how good you are technically if your ideas are lacking.

quote:

Originally posted by MOK This is OT, but I feel a requirement to register my disagreement with this concept. Rather, anyone can do anything. I know that's arguable, and I know why. I simply feel that this post couldn't just slide past without a little shout from the other side, given the context of the thread.

So, what do you think? Will some people just never write music that really moves people, regardless of how hard they try?

[EDIT TO ADD: I'm obviously not talking about people who are deaf, or tone-deaf, or have no sense of rhythm at all. Basically I have in mind people who have an "average" or maybe slightly "above average" musical sense and really, really want to make great music.]

I think if you are not born with it your music will just sound technically good, but boring you know, "without soul"

while when you were born with it (let's call it some kind of talent) your music has a certain spark...


(not sure what group of these my own tracks fall in)

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talent can't be taught

Last edited by djsphere on Jan-14-2009 at 19:28

Some people just have a faster learning curve. Anything can be learned or taught.

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quote:

Rather, anyone can do anything.

It was actually only this bit that caught my attention.

This really seems to be the mentality in this day & age and I partially blame this for the huge dip in the quality (and a massive increase in quantity) of music over the last few years.

Anyone can do anything. But it doesn't mean they could do anything good.

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quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Mystery It was actually only this bit that caught my attention. This really seems to be the mentality in this day & age and I partially blame this for the huge dip in the quality (and a massive increase of quantity) of music over the last few years. Anyone can do anything. But it doesn't mean they could do anything good.

Yes but then that is implying that the knowledge is there naturally, rather than through practice and determination.

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quote:

Originally posted by Stef Yes but then that is implying that the knowledge is there naturally, rather than through practice and determination.

Most of the time it is.

Sure, you can learn to be your average (or slightly better) songwriter/producer/movie director/author/whatever but to truly shine and excel you need to have that something within you.

Edit:
Just to clarify, I'm mostly talking about creativity, not so much technical skill.

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Endless Cycles [Capital Heaven]
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I've eventually come to realize that this thought, 'anyone can do anything,' is more a matter of faith to me. Precisely because it cannot be proven, and so far as I can see, disproven. As well, I react to related issues in a thematic vein - if someone tells me I can't do something, I do not want to hear it. And when I've overcome some perceived odds, or done something that makes me proud, I attribute it to my faith - That I did what it takes, earned it, and I can do it again elsewhere. And that anyone who might aspired could do the same as well, particularly if their circumstances were favorable.

Whenever this topic has come up in my life, that's where things get fuzzy, and where the argument starts: The idea and trappings entailed in 'Favorable Circumstances.' It's nature vs nurture, in a way.
Chalk me up to Nurture camp.

Funny thing is that, while I feel strongly on the subject, I generally have little desire to critically discuss it. I suppose that makes me a person blinded by their faith, a zealot. Weird, eh?

some people are just out of hope when it comes to music, and it shows very easily at first when it comes to rhytm. being a rhytmic person i think makes it all ALOT more easier, even if u make ambient, it just means ur body understands sound.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Mystery It was actually only this bit that caught my attention. This really seems to be the mentality in this day & age and I partially blame this for the huge dip in the quality (and a massive increase in quantity) of music over the last few years. Anyone can do anything. But it doesn't mean they could do anything good.

What was not explicitly explained in the concept, yet was assumed, is that anyone can do anything, including anything good.
ie, I can be the president, I can be the #1 basketball player in the world, I can solve world hunger alone without electricity in the north pole while constantly distracted by naked(and somehow not frigid) women.

Just so's we're on the same page here.

quote:

Originally posted by MOK What was not explicitly explained in the concept, yet was assumed, is that anyone can do anything, including anything good. ie, I can be the president, I can be the #1 basketball player in the world, I can solve world hunger alone without electricity in the north pole while constantly distracted by naked(and somehow not frigid) women. Just so's we're on the same page here.

A noble thought, but would the world be in the state it's in if it were true?

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Latest releases:
Endless Cycles [Capital Heaven]
The Charlatan [Morphosis]

Well, from my viewpoint, then obviously yes!
Don't bother with me dude, I can't promise entirely reasonable discourse.