Hi Manning, as one who teaches guitar to young students, I especially enjoy the real young ones those under teenage years. For me, that was the time when a family member really sowed his musical life into exposing me to music from concert orchestra to vocal doo-wop to Deep Purple! And because of his passion for all that music it awakened me to that passion and joy.

I don't fault the younger generation for what you see as laziness. They just have not been shown the excitement of playing in a live setting with other musicians. Where I live the school systems have cut music out of their day. The kids go home to Rock Band because it is the only thing they have been fed by the media. And marketers know one thing about teens is if you make it exciting for one you get them all. That is what triggered the massive music movement in the 60's & 70's and as it began to wain off we now have children playing their ipod or Rock Band. And those who do play an instrument are convinced that TAB and letters over words in a text document is considered reading music.

What I have done is include music appreciation in my instruction. These kids are getting turned on to major guitarists from all generations. As I mentioned in one of my posts of a jazz guitarist from the 1920's who, in modern terms, is a complete shredder only without all the processing to boost him. Then, I take them through every possible genre so they can at least get exposed to what is beyond the completely useless radio stations play.

I want to encourage each of us that have an opportunity to get a young person excited about playing a live instrument.