Jade Hylton: Girl about town Jade asks: can you learn music?

This week, I caught up with two BIMM students and band members Chelsea and Lizzy, about whether music is something we can learn or a natural gift. It is said, if you practice anything for more than a thousand hours you can master it, but does rhythm and beat fall under this maxim? Chelsea’s first to give an opinion on the matter. “I think you can learn it but it definitely helps to have a natural feel for music.” Lizzy adds: “I’ve met some people who, for example, have really wanted to play drums … all they want to do is play drums, but for some people it doesn’t come naturally. I’ve seen some people who it hasn’t come naturally to and they’ve actually worked at it and they’ve gotten better but for others, sometimes it’s not such hard work.” Chelsea nods her head in agreement. “You can tell the difference between someone who is a natural musician and someone who has had to work much harder to get as good as they are.”

Chloe and Lizzy are both in a band, which formed at Brighton’s music school BIMM – Brighton Institute of Modern Music – called Garden Heart, with three other members who also study at BIMM. Lizzy is lead vocalist.

“It’s harder to learn singing, for some people it’s hard to find the right pitch.” Chelsea plays keyboard and is also a vocalist. “Because we are with a lot of musicians who work in the school, you can see the differences in people – like our drummer Josh; he is definitely naturally gifted at drumming. He just does it and doesn’t even have to think about it.”

“We sit in on a lot of auditions at BIMM and there are a couple of people who I’ve seen who will play guitar, and you can see it is something that is part of them, as if the guitar is an extension of their body. I think it’s hard because you would think that, going to BIMM, the standard would be really high and – don’t get me wrong, it is – but you can always see those people who you would say aren’t naturally talented at music.”

“Practice always helps, even if you’re naturally talented”

Chelsea brings up a key point: “Practice always helps, even if you are naturally talented, you’ve got to practice”. Lizzy agrees and something springs to mind: “I can’t sing as well if I don’t warm up any more … can’t get away with it.” They look at each other and giggle, as if reminiscing about the last rehearsal they had without having warmed their vocal muscles.

So tell, is there any part of music you think you can’t learn? Or is it possible to learn all elements of music, whatever the genre, instrument, or style? They both look quizzical but, with an umm and an err, Lizzy thinks she has the answer. “I think you can do most things with a bit of practice.

My philosophy is that everyone can sing, other people just might not want to hear it. I know a lot of people would disagree with that, but that’s kind of how I think about it, and people might think if that’s the case, then they can’t sing. But it’s difficult.”

As I look over at Chelsea, I can see she’s thinking about how far her talents go in music. “It’s like me; I can’t play guitar, not at all. But I can play piano easily. I think it depends on the person as well.”

I’m sure we can agree that we all know somebody, especially in Brighton, who can pick up pretty much any and every instrument and just understand it, like an artist might pick up a piece of charcoal, a paintbrush or a pencil and know how to use it to create something beautiful. Just because they understand it. What do you think? Do you think you can learn music, singing, and instruments, or do you need the raw talent, something you can only be born with? Tweet me and tell me what you think, followed by #musicallygifted.

Twitter: @JadeHylton
Blog: Jadehylton.wordpress.com
Follow Garden Heart on Facebook: facebook.com/gardenheartmusic
Twitter: @GardenHeart5
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/gardenheart