There is a hypothesis that you need to learn things as a younger person to be able to learn it perfectly, but Gary Marcus proved that wrong. You need to overcome certain habits and go slowly, but it is still totally achievable to be able to learn a new instrument or language no matter your age. When you are trying to learn something as an adult, you use different areas of the brain so you need to go slowly and really chunk so that you can retain the information.
The same information was discussed in this article as it was in the video: as psychologists keep doing more and more research, studies are showing critical periods (your window of opportunity to learn something new) don't play that drastic an effect on learning and retaining as we thought. It is important to not get frustrated cause your brain chemistry is different, but it is still achievable if you go slow and have patience.
What does it take to become musical?
In order to become musical, you need to have a tremendous amount of patience, you need to practice, you need to be able to listen for specific things in your music and have a good handle on the basics of music such as rhythm, pitch, and shaping/articulation.
Are musicians born or made?
it is definitely a combination of both. There are some people who are naturally gifted, and have an ear for music and pick up things very quickly, but that does not mean if you're not naturally talented that you can't work your way up to being as talented and skilled.
This past week I have been working really hard on the Star Spangled Banner to be prepared for the performance at assembly on Monday May 20. I can apply the logics of Guitar zero to think about the importance of slow practice and chunking. Even if I am learning something at a slightly older age, I can still learn it well and practice hard if I have patience.
Step 1
Embed websites, audio and images to augment your research
A. What does it mean to be 'successful'? Define Success.
Being successful in my opinion means accomplishing your goals, hopes, and dreams and being happy with your decisions in life. Success can only be measured by the individual themselves.
B. Create a list of personal qualities/characteristics associated with successful people.
Happiness, little to no regrets, risk-taker, ambitious, driven, hardworking
C. Can these qualities/characteristic be learned or are they innate?
I think these qualities are both innate and can be learned: some of these qualities are just a part of who we are and are in our genetics, some are a result of our environment, and whether or not we are surrounded by positive people to encourage us to be successful.
D. List a few resources including books, internet sites and course offerings that could assist a person seeking to become 'successful'.
E. Describe various circumstances (i.e.resources, situations) that can contribute to becoming successful.
Education, connections, skill, circumstances, money, work habits
F. Choose a successful INDIVIDUAL (Non-Musical) and describe why you perceive them to be successful.
My grandfather: he grew up dirt poor during the Great Depression and had almost no educational opportunities. He did not let that define him or set him back, and he worked hard for his entire life and he became very financially stable and he was very happy and was able to give his children better opportunities than he had.
G. Choose a successful MUSICIAN and describe why you perceive them to be successful.
I did a project on success last semester in Personal Finance, and we had to focus on a person or group and I did my whole project on the Beatles. They are very successful to me because of how they started out so young (high schoolers) and they got rejected from their first record deal audition. they kept persevering through that discouragement and they worked so hard that they eventually became the band to sell the most records in the world.
H. Create a list of personal qualities/characteristics that were the same for both.
Hard work, perseverance, hope
I. Were there similarities between each person's set of circumstances that led to their success?
They both faced hardships in their life (growing up poor and being rejected) and they let that fuel them to be successful people.
J. What qualities, characteristics and circumstances do you believe YOU possess to be a successful person/musician?
Patience, passion, drive, desire to learn, curiosity.
Step 2
How can you use this information from Attributes of Success to enhance your practice sessions?
That no matter the circumstances, you can always work hard to get better. Here at BBA we are SO fortunate to have all the incredible sources we have to become better musicians. In order to become successful, using up those resources is the best way.