Do Some People Not Have to Practice?

Welcome to LivingPianos.com. I’m Robert Estrin. Have you ever watched a musician perform and thought, “Wow, they must have been born with it—they probably never even have to practice”? It can seem that way, especially when you encounter people who go out of their way to make it look effortless. But let’s take a closer look at whether that’s really the case.

The Illusion of Effortlessness

There’s a trend among some musicians—especially young, gifted ones—to downplay how much they practice. It’s almost as if claiming not to practice is a badge of honor, a way to prove just how naturally talented they are. But the truth is usually very different.

I was recently listening to a podcast featuring the phenomenal pianist Evgeny Kissin. Someone asked him how much he practiced as a child. His answer? Not much at first. He could pick things up quickly and get by. But as he matured and tackled more demanding repertoire, the reality set in that he had to practice, and a lot. I had the privilege of hearing Kissin perform a solo recital in Cleveland recently, and believe me, this man puts in the work.

The “I Don’t Need to Practice” Attitude

Back in New York, my wife Florence, a flutist, would often perform with orchestras and ensembles. At rehearsals, music would be passed out, and some players would just leave the music on the stand when rehearsal ended. “Oh, I don’t need this,” they’d say casually. The implication was: this is so easy, I don’t even need to practice.

Florence, on the other hand, would always take the music home. Practicing gave her the comfort and confidence to enjoy the performance, rather than teeter on the edge. Ironically, a lot of those same students probably slipped into the library later, found the same music, and practiced intensely—just in private. So why pretend? Maybe it’s to psych others out, to make it seem like they’re on another level. But the truth always comes out.

A Personal Story: Smoke and Mirrors

Years ago, I attended an in-home concert in San Diego featuring a very accomplished young pianist. He played a phenomenal recital—virtuosic, musical, the whole package. Later, in conversation, he casually remarked that he didn’t really need to practice much. He claimed he could read through most music and learn it that way. Then, he asked to see an extremely difficult transcription that someone had, and began to read through it. He acted like he’d never seen it before. He read through it impressively. He said he enters such a deep state of concentration when he reads that he internalizes the music instantly. Then, to our amazement, he put the score away and played it from memory.

I was stunned. It made me question everything I thought I knew about learning music. But the next day, curiosity got the better of me. I visited his website—and there it was. That exact piece was already listed in his repertoire! It had clearly been practiced and prepared well before this so-called sight-reading miracle. The day after, it mysteriously disappeared from the site. But not fast enough—I’d seen the truth. Later, I found out from people who knew him well: yes, he practiced, and a lot. Hours and hours every day.

Everyone Has to Practice!

So let’s put this myth to rest once and for all. No one becomes a high-level player without serious practice. The idea that some people are just so naturally gifted that they don’t need to put in the work? It’s a fairy tale, often spread by people who want to seem superhuman.

I practice—and I’m proud of it. If you practice and you’re proud of it too, share your experience in the comments on LivingPianos.com. Let’s keep growing, expanding our repertoire, and enjoying the process of making performance feel effortless. And if you’re looking to take your playing to the next level, click here to schedule a strategy session with me.