January/February 2003
Feature Articles
Holistic Health Q & A
by Dr. Ruth E. Bradley
Of quantum physics, vibrational energy
and the power of our thoughts.
The Treasures of the Amazon Rainforest
by Lenny Rader
The story of the pioneers who uncovered
the real treasures of the Amazon: healing, life-enhancing plants.
What is... Human Growth Hormone?
by Marjorie Williams
Research proves natural growth hormone
to be powerful anti-aging weapon that helps reduce body fat, increase energy
and much more.
UnCommon Sense!
by David Findlay
The War on Terrorism.
Articles on the theme "Talents & Abilities"
A Misuse of Talents & Abilities
by Lela Lilyquist and John R. Lee MD
How the Medical Establishment has been
corrupted, becoming a pawn of the drug companies.
Every Child Can Sing
by Barbara Bedingfield
An education that brings out the innate
abilities in every child.
Developing Musical Ability
by Bob & Claire Franki
Regardless of natural talent, it is
training that enables musical ability in children to shine.
Your Genius
by Linda Gaylord
Ways to discover and develop your unique
talents and gifts.
From Russia with Passion
by Oksana Kolesnikova
A talented young pianist and composer's
personal story.
Nature versus Nurture
by Charles Larsen
We all have talents and abilities,
but some are less obvious than others.
Developing Musical Ability
by Bob & Claire Franki
According to Webster's dictionary, talent is "the natural endowments of a person," or "a special, often creative or artistic aptitude." Talent is instinctive, sometimes needing just a spark at the right time to be engaged, like a baby bird nudged out of the nest that learns to fly. On the other hand, ability is either "natural aptitude" (talent) OR "acquired proficiency". Ability is the sum of two components: nature and nurture.
What are the different types of talent? A gifted athlete might be tone deaf. An artistic genius could be a social misfit. Some people are "jacks of all trades, masters of none." Howard Gardner's "Theory of Multiple Intelligences" identifies seven forms of talent: linguistic, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, musical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. People have varying strengths and combinations of all of these. Musical intelligence is: singing in tune, moving in time to music, awareness of nuances of sounds, recognizing melodies, and remembering rhymes and verses. We believe that everyone is born with some musical talent, but it needs nurturing for it to thrive.
If we examine the childhoods of three universally acclaimed musical geniuses, Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, how did their early music education, combined with their natural talents enable the achievements of their lives?
All three composers came from families of musicians, with their fathers starting intensive music lessons at early ages. Bach knew how to play the violin, harpsichord, and organ before his eighth birthday. Mozart began music lessons at age four, wrote his own music at five, and went on his first concert tour at age six. Beethoven started piano lessons by age five, played the piano before the Bonn court, and gave his first public concert in Cologne by age eight.
Looking back, we know that all three masters-to-be had immense talent, but it was undoubtedly their training, hard work, and early immersion in music that enabled them to meet their destinies. It is interesting to wonder what might have become of them had they been born into families of farmers, blacksmiths or carpenters?
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, founder of the Suzuki music education method, based his teaching on the belief that, "musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed, just like all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue." His revelation: All children master their own language so easily and fluently because they are immersed in it from the time they are in their mother's womb. With that revelation, the "Mother Tongue Method" of music education was born.
Dr. Suzuki's revelation sparked a new approach to music education. He changed the old way of thinking that only the talented few can become good musicians. His teaching focused on education and training rather than hereditary or inborn talent. He realized that the older one gets, the harder it is to learn something as complex as another language or a musical instrument. So he applied his theory to the education of his violin students, often starting them as young as three years old. He trained his students with constant exposure to music, as a mother would speak to her newborn, and taught them the fundamentals of playing the violin, the way we would teach a child the ABCs. He found a person's musical ability is attained through practice and proper education. Early immersion in a musical learning environment strengthens that ability. Not everyone is a Bach, Mozart, or Beethoven, but we can all be fluent in music if we receive the proper education and practice.
As parents, we must look to the achievements of those before us in providing the type of environment that promotes fluency in all seven areas of intelligence. In music, we must begin at birth, and if you haven't yet, do so now. It's never too late! Children's aural capabilities are most fluent during the early years, and this is the best time to establish musical sensitivity. Sing songs and rhymes to your baby often. Give your child a drum and encourage him to play along with the music. If you play an instrument, play whenever you can, because this is the best musical inspiration you can give your child. Bring him to classes where he can be introduced to the fundamentals of music: melody, rhythm and dynamics, while singing, moving, and making music with other children. Call it music socialization or just playing together in a group setting. Such is the wonder of music making. Most of all, we need to make learning music FUN! A child who enjoys himself and has fun with his parents and teachers while making music is much more likely to keep at it, and become able.
In some ways, it is harder today. Back in Bach's time there were no cars or planes to sweep parents off to jobs that sometimes keep families separated for days or even weeks at a time. There were no televisions, video games or computers that can take us even further apart while we're sitting in the same room. All these modern distractions keep families from doing simple things together, such as making music, painting, reading, or just talking. That's why we must be even more vigilant; spending every moment we can, developing the talents of our children into abilities that create fluency. This is our purpose, and through our efforts we may enable the next Bach, Mozart or Beethoven to flourish.
Bob and Claire Franki are the creators of "Classical Fun Music," a music and movement program for 0 to 6-year-olds, based in Clearwater FL. (727) 791-4925. E-mail info@cmkids.org or visit www.cmkids.org
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