In a message dated 5/29/98 9:58:36 PM Central Daylight Time, kswafford@earthlink.net writes: << The sequence of events in the PTG exam changed some time back. First, one must "prove that [one] can [tune] 2 octaves entirely by ear..." Part One of the exam is strictly aural and involves tuning the pitch of A4, followed by a temperament octave, and then the rest of the mid-range, C3-B4. In Part Two of the tuning exam, a visual tuning device may be used, if the examinee desires, to help with the tuning of C1-B2 and C5-B7. Unisons must be tuned without a visual tuning device. Kent Swafford >> Thanks for your clarification, Kent. I have not given any Exams since this change went into effect and had forgotten about it when I wrote this post. I do remember now that when I saw that the new order was in effect, I thought it was a good idea because it eliminates a very great waste of time on both the Examiners' and Examinee's part and gives the Examinee the chance to assess what improvements in knowledge and skill need to be made. However, it does not change the cold, hard reality. A professional piano technician really must be able to tune an adequate temperament by ear only. If one is dependant on a Strobe Tuner to create a a semblance of a temperament and cannot do better than that, it is time to assess where one's priorities are and what the purpose of being in the piano service business really is. I tend to agree with Franz Mohr's assessment of the use of ETD's, at least to a point. He always said that he had never met a piano technician that used an ETD (and in his experience, that usually meant a Strobe Tuner) who could produce a stable tuning. He stressed repeatedly in his lectures that a visual aid actually would distract the technician from developing a true feeling and sensitivity for what is really required to tune a piano according to a high professional standard. In my own experience as an Examiner, I have seen it happen far too often for my own comfort, not to mention the humiliation that the Examinee must feel, that a user of an ETD creates a very passable tuning, only to show afterwards that he/she has little idea of what really sounds correct and what does not. The ability to perceive and create that which is correct entirely by ear is the only skill that merits the use of the title, RPT. Bill Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin
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