Is musical talent largely genetic?

[Richmondbread]

Is musical talent largely genetic, or is it more environment ? Do certain personality traits make someone musically inclined? I took to music at a very young age. It seemed innate. I started playing piano at 3 years old. I don't think I am particularly talented, however I did have many musicians, particularly on my dad's side. Some semi-famous

This was my great grandfather's sister: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Hauffe

My great grandfather also played Vaudeville in the United States with his Zither band. I wonder if musical gifting is more a personality trait than anything else. If someone is very interested in music- they want to pursue it, so they practice and practice their instruments (or their voice). However, my dad has no musical talent at all, and neither do my brother's children. My siblings have some gifting but were not as interested in music as much as I was.

[Rgvgjhvv]

Bit of both I guess. Most people can learn anything if they take it up young though. I think some people are born with a talent or at least with an above-average knack for music versus other people. These are the people who are most likely to do well and pursue it as they see instant results when learning a new instrument, for example. Others can still reach the same level, but if it's hard work for them, they might become disinterested and that's that.

Same exact thing for sports.

[happycow]

I don't know. No one on either side of my family had any interest in playing an instrument. And when I finally picked up the guitar my parents did everything in their power to stop me, but I persisted. I had an interest in playing an instrument since the 3rd grade. Wanted to play the clarinet. My parents refused to put me in music. It wasn't until I was 17 that I got my first guitar. My siblings had some interest in playing an instrument, but they did not have anywhere near the dedication that I had. I used to play 8+ hours a day, and when I got my first job the playing did not stop. Music was all I ever cared about. And I really started to improve when I began delving into theory.

I don't know where my obsession with music came from but it certainly did not come from my parents or anyone else that I know. But sadly these days I don't play anymore. The passion died. :(

[Scouseman]

...But sadly these days I don't play anymore. The passion died. :(

Why is that?

[happycow]

Why is that?

I got way too frustrated with the music scene here. I live in a heavy metal city, and heavy metal is not my style. I focused a lot on classic rock style, blues, jazz, classical, all incorporated into my style. I studied pretty hard just to expand my ability to play, only for pretty much no one to have any interest in it. xD Dealing with musicians who don't want to learn anything new, who don't pull their weight or help with any damn necessary expenses. I even played in a Doom band for a bit only for it to all fall apart because a couple songs I wrote for the band were "too complex." :rolleyes: Yeah, different time signatures are so complicated..... lmao.

I've tried jamming with older people too thinking I would click with them better. Nope. Lol.

[MiloshN]

I (hope) have music talent, my father too. Interested, father's brother know to singing very well too. On my father side lot of my close have singing talent.
On mother side that's not case ��

[Coastal Elite]

Yes and this explains why not one person in my family has musical talent.