Musical Ability
"You have it or you don't have it" is a slightly exaggerated statement we can make about our potential in the area of music. In music perhaps more than in any other human activity, the existence of special talent is clearly recognized. Most great musicians have exhibited their ability at a very early age. The measurement of musical ability involves such things as sensitivity to pitch, intensity, time, and appreciation for rhythm, timbre, consonance, and volume. Manipulative skill is obviously essential in both vocal and instrumental music. Of course, one may have little or no performance ability to enjoy music. As a matter of fact, listening to music is our biggest national hobby.
Artistic Talent
Talent for drawing, painting, sculpture, or architectual and other design is also rather specific. Many of us cannot draw a straight line or paint a picture, regardless of our desire to express ourselves artistically. We have graphic arts scales for measuring drawings and measures of art judgment or "appreciation" resting on the ability to make fine discriminations, as well as measures of feeling and insight. But missing are valid measures of the creative aspects of art. Work samples are our best indicators.
Success in most special ability pursuits requires varying degrees of creative, innovative, and problem-solving ability.
