https://stephenlmoss.com/Recent content on Learning CurvesHugo -- gohugo.ioenWed, 03 Dec 2025 14:36:19 -0600https://stephenlmoss.com/posts/welcome/Wed, 26 Nov 2025 08:07:48 -0600https://stephenlmoss.com/posts/welcome/<p>I&rsquo;m Steve, and this is my personal blog. I pursue a number of passions and avocations, and I&rsquo;ll post about them here. I&rsquo;ve been thinking a lot lately about making art, and the kinds of challenges adults go through as they make it, and about the reasons we don&rsquo;t make art even when we really, really wish we could. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy your time here. If you want to share any thoughts, please <a href="https://stephenlmoss.com/page/contact/">get in touch</a>.</p>https://stephenlmoss.com/posts/the-myth-of-musical-talent/Wed, 26 Nov 2025 06:13:47 -0600https://stephenlmoss.com/posts/the-myth-of-musical-talent/<figure><img src="https://stephenlmoss.com/images/fiddler-1.png" alt="man playing fiddle"> </figure> <p>If you play a musical instrument in public, you’ve no doubt had this experience. Someone comes up to you during or after your performance, compliments your music, but then launches into an explanation of why they themselves never learned to play an instrument. “I have no musical talent,” they say, or “when God was handing out talent, He skipped me.” The idea that musicians and other artists need to be born with talent to be good at what they do is a pervasive attitude in our culture. In my opinion, it’s a very destructive attitude as well.</p>