What caused the decline of the practicing instrumentalist?

Why isn't anyone learning how to play an instrument anymore?

These and many more, have been the eternal questions that I have been trying to find the answers to, for about 15-20 years. I have a pretty good idea as to why interests in learning how to play musical instruments, have dropped off so dramatically in the past couple of decades. There really isn't an easy answer. There are several things that point to the ushering-in of the digital age, and the fact that there really isn't a music industry anymore. Kids nowadays, would rather be "gamer's" than learn how to play the drums or the guitar. Is it that simple? Absolutely not.

The younger generations of today, have proven to have an abundance of amazing new talented musicians. The abilities these kids have, sometimes far exceeds the things my generation could do when we were kids. The only problem is, these new and upcoming musicians, are a very small group. That group of select instrumentalists were more than likely inspired by other musicians, parents or other adult musicians, friends who pl…