Alternative Pathways to Talent Development in Music

Abstract

The narrative of an eminent Filipino singer-songwriter, Noel Cabangon, provides a description of an alternative pathway to musical talent development. Most theories on talent development assume that a young artist would have access to the resources required for one to advance in the domain. The results of multiple in-depth interviews suggested that in the absence of such resources, there is an alternative pathway toward expertise in the musical domain. This pathway involves early exposure to music in the context of daily living, the active role played by the neighborhood and the entire community in nurturing the musical talent, and deliberate practice. The article also explores various motivations (both intrinsic and extrinsic) in developing musical expertise. The implications of the research findings to educators and practitioners are also discussed.