Journal contents

[Clyde Hollinger]

Clair,

I have a couple thoughts.  It is a lot easier to say what would be nice
than it is to get personally involved.  Why not become an RPT (or maybe
you did since the last directory was printed, and maybe that isn't even
a requirement) and offer your services?  If you are a good writer on
pertinent subjects and can submit sketches or photos with your work, I
doubt your contributions will be turned down.

Second, I suspect your percentages are plenty optimistic.  If you can
match them from your own chapter I encourage you to do it.

Third, there are highly qualified technicians who would find writing
such a daunting task that they will never do it.  On the other hand,
there are skilled writers who don't have a deep enough experience to
provide worthy content.

I suppose every publication can be improved in some way, but I happen to
like the Journal a whole lot just the way it is, and I commend those who
work at putting it together.  I guess there's nothing wrong with
fantasizing, as you stated, but fantasies aren't of much practical
value.  No offense intended.

I can write.  I have had small stuff selected for the Journal in the
past and have occasionally been published elsewhere, but if I were asked
to write an article for the Journal I would think long and hard before
saying yes.  It would appear like a mountain to me.

Regards,
Clyde Hollinger, RPT

Clair Dunn wrote:

> Susan--
> I *never* meant to imply that we should seek quantity over quality.
> Far from it. I would expect the same quality, just a much broader
> scope.
>
> However, since my post I have learned that material is a problem. In
> other words, technicians are not submitting enough material to
> increase the size of the Journal.
>
> My fantasy is that there would be editorial sections, each with
> their own editors--e.g.
> tuning
> regulation
> hammers/voicing
> stringing
> refinishing
> keyboard
> dampers/trapwork
> soundboard work
> bridgework
> old grands
> old verticals
> tools
> historical temperaments
> customer relations
> conventions
> reviews of new pianos/models
> etc., etc. (list to be determined by consensus!)
>
> Each would have a feature article each month, with smaller pieces as
> they turn up.
>
> However, since the acquisition/availibility of content, according to
> Jeannie, is a severe problem-- I guess this won't happen. Sigh. But,
> it sure would be nice.
>
> I don't know what the full number of paid Guild members is, but say
> it's 2000. A 10% participation would give us 200 willing to sign up
> for 1 or more contributions per year in some one of the regular
> sections, those 200 (by their associations) should be able to drag
> in  another 200 for a dedicated/working/contributing pool of 400
> members.  Surely that would be enough to produce a healthy, helpful
> Journal  with expanded coverage of our field???
>
> Cheers,
> Clair
>
> Clair's Piano Service
> http://www.vt2000.com/cps