Can practice ever make up for a lack of natural talent?

for instance if you wanted to be a dancer, and you practiced every day to be really great, can that make up for your lack of natural rhythm and balance? just how much of a head start does innate talent give you?Can practice ever make up for a lack of natural talent?
Yes for the most part. I think it's more important to remember that everyone has some things they are really good at and some things they are really bad at.Can practice ever make up for a lack of natural talent?
I am a musician- and I can tell you that some people have a natural gift for music that I work with, and others really had to work at it. Sometimes the ones that really had to work at it, are better today, because of it. Natural talent may help someone to begin to do something like music, dancing, writing, etc- however sometimes that talent will make them not strive for excellence, because they already feel that they are there. I know many people have made it farther in the music business because they worked hard and wanted to improve. I have a student that does not have that much natural talent, I don't believe, but I think he will go far, because he tries very hard.
If you have some capacity or ability for a thing, then diligent practice and effort will provide great results. If you have none, you will either waste your time or accomplish something astounding (even if in other people's eyes it does not amount to much). Ah, but a man's reach ought to exceed his grasp, else what's heaven for?





Innate talent gives you a great head start, but unless you cultivate it diligently, your accomplishment will be less than the talentless wannabe who nevertheless loves the thing with all his heart.





In God's eyes, it doesn't matter what you have to begin with. It matters what you do with it.





MeMe: I seriously doubt that there is one soul on earth who has nothing to offer. You just haven't realized your talent yet.
I would say that if the amount of practice is equal in amount and quality: then no. (opinion)





If however, the one with more natural talent doesn't work as hard at it, then the extra work could possibly make up for it.





It all depends on several factors:


amount of work


difference in natural talent


quality of the training
I think talent is an excuse that people use to hold themselves or others down. Of course, one should ask themselves why they want to do what they're doing. There are all sorts of markets and arts that one could compete in. They are all entrenched in their ways and do not want to or cannot change, so, of course, it pays to be trained by an expert in what the judges and culture critics are looking for. Just be yourself and be happy. Don't worry too much about making a career out of anything you love doing. Most people try to be something they're not, so instead of getting great folk culture, we get American Idol and things of that nature. I'd rather listen to homeless street musicians.
As long as you're not planning to be on Broadway or whatever equivalent. Many people who aren't naturally gifted do a fine job with practice and determination. The ones who are picked out of the crowd for the spotlight have that natural zing, plus the determination and practice. A thought though, unless you practice, you don't know if you might have some real talent hidden away! Some people just hit a stage where it all clicks.
Hi and it depends, if it is a handicap then most likely you may not reach the top spot for dancing, but natural rhythm can be restored through hypnosis, our of rhythm is usually caused by some kind of mental blocks, but even without psychoanalysis with the right kind of practice you can get around some inadequate moves
I have often heard people argue this. People want to believe that they could do anything if they practiced enough. But alas - it isn't true. Mostly a real hot-shot violin player - or hot shot dancer - is born, not made.





These real hot shots still have to practice like crazy - but the difference is that when they practice they GET somewhere.





The rest of us can practice all we want and get nowhere.
I think you will become competent at whatever it is that you want to do but you will never reach the type of excellence that someone who has innate talent would attain through practice.
If you practice everyday, you can do whatever you want! Great works are performed not by talent or strength but by perseverance.
I don't have one natural talent. I am a totally untalented individual. Oh well....
Yes it can because ';practice makes perfect';
Yes, Muscle Memory does wonders.
Dancers? Wtf? I thought this question would be about sex.
oh yes...


ask my first girlfriend


ask my current girlfriend.
of course it can.