It is widely believed that talented musicians only emerge from families with a strong musical history. And for a long time I have thought that this is a big misconception. There is no doubt that growing up in a musical family has its rewards. Indeed, such heroes of classical music as Mozart and J.S. Bach owe much of their success to their families; Mozart and his equally gifted sister were taught by their father, while the tradition of music in the Bach family traces right back to Johann Sebastian’s great, great grandfather.

So does this indicate that growing up surrounded by music is necessary in order to become a successful musician?

I believe not. From my own experience, musical ability does not belong solely to those born into families of musicians. Neither of my own parents are musicians, nor did I get piano lessons as a toddler. There are many talented and successful musicians in the world with very limited musical background. British concert pianist Richard Meyrick is a fine example. None of his immediate family were musicians, and he had no piano teacher until his teens; yet at 16 years of age he won a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music in London, and now performs at concert halls around the world.

So how did Meyrick become the successful concert pianist he is today? How did he even discover his talent in the first place? The answer is simple. He was inspired!

Inspiration is the key to discovering and exploring one’s skills. It is also the reason why growing up with music in the family can be valuable to a musician’s development. Meyrick discovered his passion for music when his father took him to a performance by a famous concert pianist. The Norwegian composer Grieg, taught piano by his mother from the age of six, was inspired by the passionate amateur performances of his parents and their friends.

So, is it true that a person’s heritage determines whether or not they are musically intelligent? My answer is no: music is not inherited, it is inspired!