There are three tiers of recognizing greatness.
- Recognize greatness.
- Recognize why something is great.
- Achieve greatness.
Almost all of us can recognize greatness.
I never aspired to that top tier of greatness as a performer. I’d much rather teach. But being an effective teacher is in some part dependent on getting to the second tier. I might not be able to sing like Bobby McFerrin, but I can certainly talk – and teach – about many of the skills that makes him remarkable.
Achieving virtuosity is on another level and requires single-minded focus, time, opportunity, and luck.
I loved watching this video of two great magicians – Penn & Teller – recognizing why another musician has achieved virtuosity in his art.