ASHLAND — Dr. Ron Sprunger, professor emeritus at Ashland Theological Seminary, continues his passion for teaching and writing. The July-August issue of Clavier Companion includes his article, “Learning to Play by Ear.”
Clavier Companion is a magazine for people who are passionate about the piano. Sprunger values skill in reading music, but he questions the placing of emphasis on reading in beginning lessons. Sprunger says in the development of language skills a child listens and speaks before reading. A student who approaches music “ear first” can be discouraged when note reading is introduced as an integral part of beginning lessons.
His article in Clavier Companion is for the more advanced musician who reads and would benefit from the delight of exploring the different chords that go with each pitch of the scale.
With Linda, his wife as co-arranger, Ron Sprunger is preparing another collection for piano and organ, which is to be published by Lillenas Music in 2017. His website launched by Spire Advertising is another venue he has chosen for facilitating musical growth (www.How2PlayByEar.com).
Sprunger encourages people of all ages to keep on learning. He will lead a workshop in Dalton, Ohio, on July 16 in Wayne County. For information, contact Sprunger at sprungerron@gmail.com.
