Do you believe that Musical ability is a special talent from within that you were born with, or is it just a skill that anybody can learn to perfection?

I believe it's a bit of both. Part of it is a "tortoise and the hair" kind of thing. Those that are born with natural talent with eventually lose against those who work hard. To be successful, you need both.

The main difference between innate musical talent and hard work, however, is that hard work will allow you only to play what's written on the page. Anyone can do that. Musical talent (that you're born with), allows you to make music out of what's written on the page. It's a very rare gift.

I think it is inherent to us humans. I think everybody has there own musical ability´s. One is great with classical, other with rock. Some are good at notes and composing. Other can make great things on their music instrument(greater then ever can be written, mozart is one of those) you just have to get the change to discover and practise it.
It is quite a costly hobby, sad enough

I think natural ability will get you halfway there. After that, practice makes perfect.

You can have the genetics that make you exceptional. If you don't you can still train very hard but you'll most likely never reach the capacity as someone born with the natural inclination.

Natural ability may be right there if it's not noticed in a child how can it be developed. I think it's percentages of both weighed to either side individual pending. And skills that can be learned with the right guidance.

I believe it is a gift and skills are needed to practice that gift.

to some extent, talent, but that talent can only get you so far. a hard worker will over take a talented person who doesn't practice. that's my oppinion anyhow ;)

I think it is a skill that anyone can learn to be good at but to be really great you need to have a special feeling for the music and I believe that comes from within.

I heard that J.S. Bach said that music and composing is a skill that can be trained and perfected. Please correct me if I am wrong. A great Jazz pianist named Dallas who was my classmate said that natural talent is over rated. Basically he was saying that practice and hard work is what makes you great.

As for me, I am one class short of finishing my Master's degree in music and I still feel like a beginner. Because the more I learn, the more I realize there is so much more to learn. Socrates said, " 'The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." I have been studying music since I was 4, so that's been 28 years so far, and I keep practicing, practicing, practicing and keep trying to get better. It's like the joke, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice."

Another argument is like any other type of skill, music is best learned at a young age like a language. But please don't let this deter you from starting music at a later age. The great Jazz guitarist Wes Montgemary didn't start guitar till he 19.

I hope this helps.

Justice Constantine

I believe that anybody can learn to play music expertly, but those born with the talent will tend to excel and to be more expressive. I can't prove it, but it might be possible that if someone were to immerse themselves in all things music and live this way for many years, they might develop their talent to equal or exceed someone with natural born ability. Of course, I also doubt if natural born ability has any scientific data backing it up, but we all know it exists. Neither of my parents were musical, but I took to music like a duck to water and have studied and performed my whole life.

Both, but leaning more on the latter. One must have the tenacity to play/compose and the natural love of music. It does, however; differ on your own beliefs of determinism and fate, so there is no right answer really.

I believe to some people; it's natural...like able to play the piano by ear. (means that you can play a song without reading music)
Some people can't even hit a tone.
I do believe it the people who are not talented can learn but then again; those who just can't get it; just need's to listen and not play nor sing