Re: [Harp-L] Re: Genius? LOL



Rick in NZ,

Isaac Newton and Einstein didn't appear fully able either. They studied and
acquired knowledge. What they had was a greater potential, which was
realised, due to their inquiring minds - and their intellectual creativity
or capacity. This is no different to someone like Miles Davis (and other
jazz greats I could name). Davis studied, acquired knowledge, but also had a
creative genius (a creative IQ) that surpassed others and made him stand out
in his field. Davis was as much of a musical genius by his twenties as
Einstein was a scientific phenom - but in both cases their skills related to
their fields of endeavour weren't innate. Davis didn't emerge from the womb
able to play the horn and Einstein didn't emerge able to balance complex
physical equations. They just had the intellectual capacity to extend their
specialisations beyond their peers. Davis was therefore as much a genius as
Einstein or Newton, though he may never have had a flair for calculus.
Equally, Einstein was a keen amateur violinist who through his fame was able
to play with some of the true greats. But in a quote from one of those
greats (I forget which) it was clear that Einstein was much loved as an
enthusiast but he had no genius for music - much as he wished for it.

Mastery of OB techniques, therefore, and making the effort to cop phrasing
from other instruments isn't a product of genius, but merely of hard work.
Total mastery of the instrument leads to virtuosity, but NOT to genius.
Genius cannot be acquired through hard work. Though of course I respect
anyone who strives and achieves a level of mastery in any field.

EV



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