In other words, you're not going to find tarab if you're relying on reading the sheet music to tell you what comes next.
Yes, in my piano lessons I used to get into trouble for waiting to turn the page of my sheet music till, you know, a spot in the music when my left hand was free, because that was clear evidence that I was playing from memory OH NO.
It could be that you (generic of course! I actually mean me...) don't actually have zero talent/ aptitude, they are just teaching the the wrong way for your brain.
Anybody who can memorise a piece of music can't be *completely* devoid of musical ability, surely.
But I agree - I think a lot of musical things can be learned if you're just taught the right way FOR YOU. I am convinced everyone can sing in tune if they just learn how to do it (though apparently there really are people who are tone deaf - I have no concept of what this would be like). It doesn't help that these days, it's so common for people to believe they/others can't sing unless they sound like Christina Aguilera, and in a more secular world there tends to be a lot less regular singing.
But - how does a tone deaf person experience music then?
I am floored because I know how important music is in Kina's world!
ETA: I was thinking that tone deaf people could not distinguish between notes. Like, you play a note and they cannot sing it back, nor can they tell that they cannot sing it back. Am I wrong?