Musical talent that wasn't expected

[Anonymous]

I am not musical, but am discovering my daughter has a gift of music. She started playing piano/guitar 1.5 years ago and it is very natural in a crazy way. She has to work for her grades and a lot of the areas in her life, so this is unexpected. It appears to be natural and a true passion where she can't find enough hours to fulfill her internal desires. She now is working with random people at her school and she has created/directed/produced/edited, etc. a classic song where multiple instruments are used and vocals. She is involved in every piece of the process. I do not have any musical abilities. Can someone please tell me how/what I can encourage her to do besides having fun with music? Is there a path for this sort of thing? I mean this in all seriousness. She seems so in control and so aware, and so proactive/professional, etc. She is competent at school and does okay, but she has some sort of talent that I assume should be nurtured. How/what can I do to help? Thanks in advance! from a non-musical mom!! Lastly, I realize it could just be a hobby and not every single thing should be about college, career, etc. I get that. But, those skills must be transferable. Right? Are there any programs she should explore -- even if she doesn't want a music career? Looking for any sort of suggestion!! thanks!!!

[Anonymous]

This is great! Does she have a teacher? The teacher should be able to help with this.

My DD has perfect pitch and plays the violin, I found a few orchestra/ensemble options via a local parent message board. I noticed one of my friends post something about violin camp on Instagram and reached out to find out more. As she gets older we will see how serious she is with it.

I think there are a lot of paths for music, not just professionally. FWIW I am a professional writer (former journalist) which was not something my parents had any idea of who to get to that place. I had to advocate to get the info myself but they were supportive. If you believe it you can achieve it.

[Anonymous]

She is likely to be very good at math, particularly geometry. That could lead to architecture. Good at chemistry and physics.

If she doesn't have the discipline for the above, you should just thank your lucky stars that she loves and excels at music. And has found her passion. She can complete a teaching degree and have that available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She is likely to be very good at math, particularly geometry. That could lead to architecture. Good at chemistry and physics.

If she doesn't have the discipline for the above, you should just thank your lucky stars that she loves and excels at music. And has found her passion. She can complete a teaching degree and have that available.

Just because she might have good math skills doesn’t mean she wants to use them. She could love it so much she ends up a professional musician. She found she has a natural gift for music. Why turn it into something totally not related to music?

[Anonymous]

How old is she?

[Anonymous]

Doesn't sound like you need to encourage her. Maybe you mean facilitate? There are high schools for the performing arts - maybe she wants to go to one of those.

[Anonymous]

So you know the math and music thing isn't always the case. Rhythm is more easily understood if someone can appreciate math. But talent is very different than musicianship. I went to conservatory and there's a number of my friends who sucked at math. My son is good at math but struggles with piano because he has a hard time learning notes. My daughter sucks at math and has like zero rhythm but she can play anything because she can sightread like nobody's business. She can't play it right but if you model the rhythm she has an ear and gets it quickly. So there you go - math certainly helps but music is another language. My daughters ear really helps her. She also has deep executive functioning skills which means that she can practice less than most because she gets how to practice. Coupled with excellent memory, piano is easier for her than for most. That has nothing to do with how far she'll go because you still have to love it

[Anonymous]

That's wonderful! Do you think she would like being a music teacher? It's a solid career, and many high school music teachers perform on the side.

Music therapy is cool, but kind of hard to find a job in that field.

There are also some performing-adjacent fields, like theater management, production, etc.

[Anonymous]

1. Music can be a great de-stresser she can use at any moment of her life, so this is a very positive development, OP! I'm happy for her.

2. For college admissions, she needs measurable achievement: competition wins, belonging to a youth orchestra or chamber music group, being accepted to selective programs/camps. This requires private music lessons and several years of study. It's WORK. My string player teen has been playing for 10 years and is on that path.

[Anonymous]

I have a 9 year old like this. Started with piano 2 years ago and he is such a natural. People are very impressed with his skills. It’s like he feels the music. He picked up violin this year too and is also mastering it with ease. He does music festivals and finds ways to perform as much as possible. He is in a youth orchestra as well. Im really not sure what else to do other than these things. Good luck!