tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051826042602269061.post5933802758133002335..comments2024-03-25T09:01:20.997-07:00Comments on Diary of an Autodidact: The Second Sex (Part 2) by Simone de BeauvoirDiary of an Autodidacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849157548643091986noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051826042602269061.post-25211791376952727972022-04-17T22:05:53.522-07:002022-04-17T22:05:53.522-07:00You are right about that. There is a definite elem...You are right about that. There is a definite element of talent that either exists or not. I feel that a lot, because I am a decent, but not full-time professional talent, and there are things I struggle with regardless of the amount of work I put in. (I am not disappointed, because I did not expect to be a professional, and the fact that I can get paid a bit as a side gig is all gravy.) What I will say is that I know people who worked hard and didn't achieve greatness. But I do not know a single skilled musician who didn't work their ass off to get there. <br />Diary of an Autodidacthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11849157548643091986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051826042602269061.post-9364035304685205602022-04-15T10:29:35.473-07:002022-04-15T10:29:35.473-07:00A wonderful post. However, there is a line I feel ...A wonderful post. However, there is a line I feel compelled to give some nuance to. You briefly mention the irritation you feel when people praise your talent at playing an instrument. While your feelings aren't totally off base, allow me to share a personal story.<br /><br />I wanted to be a good singer so I could be the lead in musicals as a child. I had a private tutor for years. I tried out for musicals. I never got the lead role, at best one of the minor characters who only sung in a crowd. As it turns out, my efforts raised a bad voice to a tolerable one. I don't have the pipes to ever create a good singing voice. It was a harsh blow when I realized this. I'm sure you've put commendable effort into honing your skills. But be thankful your baseline was good enough to turn into something grander, unlike me and many others. MrRoivashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12018731012247569416noreply@blogger.com