Piano tuning training

[Mike and Jane Spalding]

Lev,

Here's some scattered thoughts about training, and finding your way.  I hope
they're appropriate to your situation.  You didn't tell us your age and
experience level, whether this is a first career choice, midlife career
change,  retirement career, or maybe just supplemental income until your
band's CD takes off on the charts....

There are a couple - two - three "residence" schools where you can go for a
year or two of full-time training, but they are not near Los Angeles.

Aptitude and talent will only take you so far.   Do you want it badly enough
to "self-start" and persevere?  What about your own learning style?  Can you
learn by reading the text, or do you fare better when an instructor explains
and demonstrates?

Join the PTG and attend the local chapter meetings; don't be bashful about
telling the chapter about your ambitions, you will find them helpful and
supportive.  You will find as many different approaches to piano servicing
as there are members, from tuners to rebuilders to  university technicians
to part timers with assorted day jobs and the list goes on.

Many on this list, myself included, have taken the Randy Potter home study
course.  This is an excellent way to begin learning the craft without
leaving home, or leaving your present job.  Plan to spend a couple thousand
dollars (course, plus practice piano), and a thousand or more hours studying
and practicing.  When you complete the course, you should be confident in
your abilities to tune a piano and fix anything that breaks.  Put that
confidence to the test:  If you can demonstrate your competence by passing
the PTG exams for RPT status, then you know you have the aptitude and
talent.

Mike Spalding

----- Original Message -----
From: Lev Mallinger <lev@www.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2001 5:19 PM
Subject: Piano tuning training


> I am interested in exploring a career
> as a piano technician. I live in Los Angeles
> and have the following questions:
>
> 1. how can I determine if I have the
> aptitude and talent for this?
>
> 2. how should I study (private,
> correspondence school, long-term
> course)?
>
> All your suggestions are appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Lev Mallinger
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
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>
>