>> But I try to remember there is a time for beginners before they have >>that acquired knowledge. And as teachers we have to think about how to >>get them to that level.

Yeah, I agree. I guess it's just that for about the first 15 years I played, I did everything by ear. Didn't have a clue how to play scales... didn't know the names of chords.... didn't even know how to read tab until I started posting at GuitarTricks. It seems like some students want instant answers.
Like .. "What notes do you play over these chords?"
I feel like saying "Any notes you want as long as they sound good... just screw around for a few days and come up with something. Music is about feeling things, not doing math"

It's kinda like, when I was a beginner, there was very little information available about how to play guitar. You couldn't afford to buy books or take lessons so you either figured it out for yourself or you were out of luck.
The good thing about that was that it forced you to develop your listening skills and use your own intelligence to figure out how to play things.

When students have everything spelled out for them, I think they lose out in the long run. They develop their reading and math skills, but their natural musical abilities take a back seat because they expect instant answers.