Hi, I am Ty Curtis, and I have instructed guitar lessons in Mt. Pleasant for a couple of decades now. I have had some outstanding students over the years, and I can honestly say that I have looked forward to the many times that I have gotten to sit down with them and help them reach their artistic endeavors on the guitar.

Some of my students have gone on to achieve notable success in music. Others simply enjoyed the challenge of trying to learn a new instrument. Some have stuck with it, and playing guitar has become an enjoyable part of their life. Others have tried it and discovered that their interests in guitar lessons faded as other priorities overcrowded it from their schedules. All of my students really enjoy their lessons, but there is one thing I know that is true of all guitar students. At some point in the process, life’s circumstances change, and taking lessons come to a conclusion. In other words, nobody takes guitar lessons forever. Now, I am not saying that they don’t keep on learning, because they do. I am just saying that a time will come when guitar lessons are not benefiting them.

I had one student who took guitar lessons for three years. We started the lessons when he was in the fourth grade, and finished them during the summer before he went into the eighth grade. We both enjoyed those three years of lessons tremendously. He learned how to play the guitar quite well, but we both new when the time had come to conclude the lessons. He is now an independent learner on the instrument, and it is a fun and vibrant part of his life. He is what I would call one of my success stories.

I did have one student, however, that I will never forget. This one was not one of my success stories. Taking guitar lessons was not this seventh grade student’s idea; it was his parent’s idea. They told him to give it a try, and if he didn’t like it he could quit. I recall when he came to the first lesson. He was clearly not thrilled to be there. As I tried to show him things about the guitar he would always be checking the time or showing some other signs of discontentment. I did my best to connect with this teenager on some level so that I could pass on a few guitar skills to him, but he was having none of it. I told his parents about his lack of interest. I relayed to them that I felt bad about taking up his time, and taking their money because I knew that he wasn’t getting a lot out of the lessons. They said thanks, but to give it a few more lessons and see if things didn’t turn around.

Well, we did give it a few more weeks, but things didn’t improve. He kept digressing during the lessons. Sometimes he would leave his music at home, and I would have to make do with other materials to get him through the lesson. Near the end of one lesson I kiddingly said, “I think I heard a car door outside.” He jumped to his feet and looked out of the window faster than you could say, “jack rabbit.” The writing was on the wall for this guitar student.

This was definitely an exception to the group of students that I have taught. I am quite sure that most students who have taken guitar lessons from me over the years have enjoyed their lessons and gained a lot from them. You can visit the TyCurtis.com webpage and read the endorsements that were submitted by satisfied students.

Why would I want to include a story like this one on my blog? The explanation is simple. Once the novelty of taking guitar lessons has worn off, there is a certain amount of discipline that is required for anyone who really wants to learn. I felt that it would be beneficial to share this story with anyone out there who is thinking about taking lessons, or is about to “make” their child take guitar lessons. It is enjoyable and rewarding for those who take lessons for the right reasons. It really does help tremendously, however, if the child (or adult) is motivated internally to learn the instrument.