Talent Takes Time to Unfold

Talent is a topic that is difficult to pin down. The fact is that talent is a fact in retrospect. After you’ve developed it, it becomes obvious that you have it. The problem is that talent itself is a lot like oil. You’re not sure it’s there unless you drill for it. Drilling for oil in musical terms is studying and practicing – your instrument or your voice. As your potential unfolds, you’ll see what’s there.

Talent continues to unfold – faster for some, slower for others. It shows itself in layers or levels – over time – not all at once. The discovery and evolution of your own talent is one of the most exciting facets of music.

So many people were told that they had no talent. Some notable examples: Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, me, and countless others. Looking back, it seems incredible that such early negative proclamations could have been made about someone’s potential. But these and many more discouraging comments were aimed at musicians and singers throughout their early development.

Everyone has talent. Find your direction and spend time exploring and developing it. It will pay dividends beyond your wildest expectations.

For more on this topic, look at my book Music Pursuing the Horizon. There’s a chapter devoted to this misunderstood topic. It’s available in hard copy and in the PDF format.