Hi Sapphire,

I'm not an agressive type. A 26-year military career taught me the futility of waging battles. So the battle will not commence with me.

My feelings regarding reading the dots vs. playing by ear are that both methods produce great music. So, it doesn't matter whether you are an ear player or a reader. Just play and enjoy. I read the dots, can play by ear a little and do improvisations. In all three cases, I ACQUIRED those skills, meaning anyone can learn to read, to improvise, or play by ear. I don't play by ear much because I have so much written music upon which to draw for pleasure and inspiration.

If I had to choose between being a reader or an ear player, I would much rather be a reader. The wealth of music in print gives a reader untold resources. An ear player has to hear something first. I can scan through 15 or 20 books (hundreds of songs) and pick those I want to play. An ear player can't do that. He/she has to hear the music before playing it and cannot, therefore, draw upon the huge library of printed music. That, to me, seems to be a severe limitation.

Just my thoughts.

My Very Best Wishes to All of You,

Chuck

[This message has been edited by Chuck Piper (edited 10-14-2004).]