During the course of a lesson my teen students will often mention the name of a singer or band and a song they would like to learn. Except in certain cases, I have absolutely no idea who or what they are referring to. Then they give me the same condescending smile that I used to give my grandparents when I was their age. And I return the favor with the same patient smile my grandparents gave me in return. The one that made me feel like I had just lost the game but wasn't sure how.
To be sure, the majority of guitar students want to eventually play in a band. I hear it constantly. My friend Chris Rollins coaches an adult rock band class that includes performance opportunities. Even very young children tell me that it's a goal they have. You have to admit that a six year old with a long term goal is a little uncommon. So most guitar teachers base their lessons on teaching people how to be in a band.
But what about the students that don't want to play in a band? This was a problem that my student-turned-friend Tom had when he moved to Florida. He had studied with me in Michigan for a couple of years and figured he could find a new teacher in Florida and continue where we left off. After two years and several teachers he called me in frustration. "All they want to teach me is how to play in a band", he complained. "I don't want to play in a band and I don't want to sing. All I want to do is learn how to play music on the guitar." This was the path we had been on so he knew that it was a viable goal. It's really not much different than piano lessons.
There is a small percentage of students who fit this description. They don't want to perform. Many don't even want their friends to know that they play. It's private. But they work hard at it and many play very well. Some are adults and some are kids. A secret brigade of finger style guitarists.
The publishing companies have started paying attention though. There are now many books filled with arrangements of pop songs for finger style guitar. Apparently these students who keep a low profile are spending money and the smarter companies are taking notice. This approach to the guitar was popular during the fifties, became uncool in the late sixties, and is now making a comeback.
So if you hear live music wafting from a neighbor's house don't say anything. But the next time you see them give a smile and a thumbs up. And if that music is occasionally sprinkled with bad language...... well that's just counterpoint to the joy.