What is the difference between being gifted and talented???

[go12_3]

I feel that being gifted comes naturally as in musical abilities(as in art, etc).  Some children are gifted in the audio aspect of learning music, hence they become rapid learners.  To be talented in playing an instrument takes skill and a musical background.  Just 8 years ago, I learned to play the violin---never touched the instrument, yet in taking lessons, I acquired the skill and yet gifted in producing the tone, etc of the violin.  It's the feeling comfortable in playing an instrument. The gifted and talented can be together also.  Most musicians are both gifted and talented.  What does it take to be talented or vice versa?  I also play guitar, and sing.  Folks told me over the years, that I was "talented",  my husband thinks I'm gifted.......hummmmm....

[pianisten1989]

I think it's the same thing, but different words. In my native, it is the same thing.

[go12_3]

Okay----then how come some folks can sing wonderfully without even being trained to sing?   I'm one of those people.  Plus, the fact, being gifted comes from within, not from the environment.  A person can be musicially inclined, yet the talent has to be developed over time.  So does a skilled muscian needs to have technique and skills in order to be talented?  I can see your point that being gifted and talented is much of the same thing.  Depends upon the individual and his background.

[allthumbs]

I can't remember where I read this and it might have been here in PianoStreet that explained very succinctly the difference between being gifted and a genius.

This could apply here substituting your terms.

Gifted is being able to hit a target no one else can.

Genius is being able to hit a target no one else can see.

[iroveashe]

I can't remember where I read this and it might have been here in PianoStreet that explained very succinctly the difference between being gifted and a genius.

This could apply here substituting your terms.

Gifted is being able to hit a target no one else can.

Genius is being able to hit a target no one else can see.

It's an Arthur Schopenhauer quote. You've probably seen it in healdie's signature.

[allthumbs]

Yes, that's it!

Thanks, I knew I saw it here and I almost got it correct.

[pianisten1989]

Okay----then how come some folks can sing wonderfully without even being trained to sing?   I'm one of those people.  Plus, the fact, being gifted comes from within, not from the environment.  A person can be musicially inclined, yet the talent has to be developed over time.  So does a skilled muscian needs to have technique and skills in order to be talented?  I can see your point that being gifted and talented is much of the same thing.  Depends upon the individual and his background.

I don't really get it. I said gifted and talanted is the same thing.. Not there is no such thing as Talent...
And no, talent doesn't have to be developed over time?

[javacisnotrecognized]

Having physical facility is talent. Having the understanding and the imagination to create something worthwhile is gifted.


Or is it the other way around ?

[go12_3]

Thanks for the remarks.  The topic of being gifted and talented could go hand in hand.  Throughout our lives.  Talent is to be developed in which being gifted is being enhanced through the talent....or does that makes any sense......

[jcfelice88keys]

I heard a variation on what was described above:

"That which someone can do that others find difficult ... is talent."

"That which someone can do that the talented find impossible ... is genius."


I am not sure of the author of this quote, but seem to recall it might be Benjamin Franklin.

Cheers,


Joe  <jcfelice88keys>

[iroveashe]

Since it seems to be quoting season, here's one more by Edison:
«Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.»
Some variation of that says talent instead of inspiration.

Being gifted and being talented are basically the same thing, they both imply some natural inborn predisposition to a certain subject or activity; we could say that whether is called being gifted, talented or inspired they all refer to some kind of magical skill without any kind of previous training, which is indeed possible but it does not make you a genius or anything close to it.

I found this article while looking for the quote, it's pretty interesting.

[Bob]

I think of gifted more as mental ability.  Talent as more of a skill or being more dexterious.

Maybe with talent a person can just naturally do something, but something skill-related.  Gifted would be someone being able to work on something more taxing and get better results.


I think they're both a little general though.  Genes, environment, hard work... all that plays into it.

I'm pretty sure some thinker out there has written a book defining the differences of each.

Speaking of gifted, have you noticed the gifted programs in public schools disappearing?  With budget cuts, those programs can go and not too many people will protest.  Interesting sidenote.

[morningstar]

In my native they are more or less the same. A talent is when someone shows aptitude for something but it does normally have to be nurtured to bring it to full potential. A gift is the same as far as I figure.

[mad_max2024]

This thread is making my head hurt...

[opus10no2]

People notice my physical attributes and say 'wow, he's gifted'

Then they notice I can use it too.. 'dang, he's talented too'.

[go12_3]

People notice my physical attributes and say 'wow, he's gifted'

Then they notice I can use it too.. 'dang, he's talented too'.

Good thought!  = ) 

[franzliszt2]

I think that gifted and talented are the same thing, just different words.

It is really obvious when a child is talented (gifted) becasue they learn the subject at an abnormally fast rate and show a natural abilty in the subject. I think with singing it is very rare because they need a very fine ear, and a perfect voice....and those 2 do not go together very often. Not many people are talented singers....but many think they are, which really is quite annoyng because they insist on singing.

Talent can be wasted though, and I think this is the saddest thing of all. A talent is like a seed planted inside of someone, and it will only grow so far unless it is helped. A talented pianist is useless if he doesn't have a piano to practice on.

A very good teacher at some point is essential. I had a bad teacher when  first started, and stayed with this women for 3 years but  somehow had a very natural way of getting around the piano and could move freely and wasn't tense. It was only when I went to a very good teacher that things totally changed and I learnt the meaning of hard work and disipline.

If you look at any great pianist they were all very talented, and worked very very very hard at it. I don't think any of them were just born piansts. I mean of course you had people like Rubinstein who never practiced, but n his book my young years he talks about doing technical work, and practicing long hours. So even if they have a reputation for not practicing now, they would have done when they were a child.

Also....great singers do practce and get a lot of coaching. Where I am, the opera department is by far the busiest department. They get lots of coaching, language classes, acting classes etc....so they work very hard as well.

[simon_horsey]

Good points franz number 2! I agree. I have a saying for my students: "TNT - Tenacity not Talent."

I don't think it matters how talented (or gifted) a student is, if they do not put the work in they will not realise their potential. In fact, sometimes I find a natural ability at the piano can be a barrier because they feel they can do it all already, without practice. I have this quote from Calvin Coolidge on my door:
 
Nothing in this world can
take the place of persistence.

Talent will not; nothing is more common
than unsuccessful people with talent.

Genius will not; unrewarded genius
is almost a proverb.
 
Education will not;
the world is full of educated derelicts.
 
Persistence and determination
alone are omnipotent.

I have it printed on the inside of their note books as well and make them read it to me if they tell me they don't need practice!

[a-sharp]

I think they are the same, but the words suggest a different source - "gift" being from God - and talent from nature (and can be applied to someone not religious) - but even that is a loose interpretation. It's the same thing. Both imply innate ability, IMO.

[pianoplayjl]

Can't tell the difference. Aren't tehy the same thing?