It is commonly thought that one's sense of pitch and rhythm is limited by nature.  This is not true.  Everyone's ear can be significantly improved.

With ear training we can learn to play by ear, without music, and when reading music, make it come to life.

Of course, with ear training, we learn to sing in tune and imrpove ones sense of rhythm.

As a personal story, when I first studied guitar, I could not sing in tune, play by ear and had rhythm problems.  My guitar teacher did not know that pitch and rhythm could be vastly improved.  That was the common belief.

However, when I got to music college, Berklee College of Music I took Ear Training.  My ear got much better, so much better I took singing lessons.  I also joined an African Percussion Ensemble at the State University of New York.

I developed the ability to sing in tune, play songs by ear, and learned how to improve my sense of rhythm.

Then, while at Columbia University, I researched the scholarly studies investigating improving pitch and rhythm and the concept of "Talent".

I found that the origin of the word "Talent" was a Roman coin, and with enough "Talents" one could do anything.  In fact, every case of perfect pitch was associated with early learning.  In fact, everyone can acquire the skills people associate with talent with proper instruction.

Using my research and experience, I learned to incorporate ear training into all my music lessons.  My student's ears get much better, they learn to sing in pitch, play songs by ear, and are able to play in an ensemble.

I even teach more advanced musicians how to synchronize wiht a drummer.  A certain magic happens when a bass player synchs with a drummer.

While ear training has incredible lifetime benefits at an early age it is never too late.  I had my ear training at aged 17 and it was the most important music class I ever took.

 In addition, learning string bass, without any frets also helped teach me pitch recognition, though I didn't use my voice.

Ear training should be a part of everyone's music lessons.  What you learn will be part of you the rest of your life.

You will vastly improve your singing, the ability to play songs by ear, and your enjoyment of music will improve.

Don't be fooled by the prevailing notion that you are limited by natural talent!