In January of 1968 I received a phone call from some guy I didn't know.  He introduced himself and then said "A friend of mine knows a guy in your building..."  Seriously?  I know a guy who knows a guy??!!  Anyway he asked me to teach him guitar.  I explained that I'd never given lessons before, but he insisted and so it began.  Now some 48 years later I can't help but look back and ponder this peculiar profession that I've chosen.

I've met people or read interviews with others who've said "I didn't choose this job, it chose me".  My initial response is usually to say something catty and walk away.  I don't really do that because I was raised to be polite, but the thought has crossed my mind.  But I've taught at three music stores (turned down offers from several others), two community colleges, two four-year liberal arts colleges (turned down a couple of others), and one Big 10 university and I've never applied for a job.  I didn't even decide to do this professionally until I was 32 and had several other jobs along the way.  So I guess it did choose me.  (Please save your catty remarks for another day.)

I think back on the many changes I've seen and the one that sticks out the most is quality.  Although I was lucky enough to be associated with some pretty terrific guitar teachers right from the beginning, I heard horror stories from students or their parents about many other teachers.  That includes one guitar teacher who couldn't even play the instrument!  Happily those days seem to be behind us.

There were only two colleges in the U.S. that offered degrees for guitarists in 1968 that I know of.  Now there are degree programs at colleges, universities, and conservatories throughout the nation and around the world.  Today your local guitar teacher may have qualifications that rival or exceed those of the local piano or violin teachers.

There are greater resources for the teacher and student than ever before and these resources are easily available.  At the colleges there were listening libraries but the guitar selections were very limited if they existed at all.  Today a student can simply go online and find videos of some of the best players ever.  Some sheet music is available for free, and there are multiple sources to order sheet music for a price.

When I used to tell people that I taught guitar professionally they looked at me funny, even though  at my busiest I taught 93 private lessons, 3 guitar classes, and conducted 2 guitar ensembles (one adult and one children) every week.  Today I don't teach nearly that much and I find time to perform occasionally which I couldn't do back then.  More importantly, the idea of a grown man teaching guitar all day isn't nearly as peculiar as it used to be.

It makes me happy to see how far this profession has come.  As I look back I feel justified in the decision I made all of those years ago (contrary to the best wishes of some family and friends).  And I can't wait to see all of the improvements to come in the next 48 years.