I appreciate the appropriate translation to English Jurgen. Literally the world Klavierbauer translates to "piano builder". Yet there is not a single one of these fellows/gals comming freshly out of factory training that could even come close to building a piano. Most never gain enough broad based experience to build an entire instrument from scratch... or even half way in their entire careers. The minimum requirements for the title are quite rudimentary really. Even the <<Meister>> degree which is quite thorough really does not necessarily guarantee a future rebuilder of any high skilled level. I know a few independants that for instance cant even remember from their school days how to shaft a bridge together. This title in German is actually a bit problematic when translated to some of our other European languages, as several decide to translate directly to Piano Builder and tout themselves as such, citing this <<prestigious degree>>. To my mind of thinking this is pure false advertising. The translation any language to "Piano Technician" is the correct one. Personally I'd like to see the German association impress this upon their foreign trainees. Cheers RicB A tiny correction if I may: "Bund Deutscher Klavierbauer" is the association of German piano technicians. The German piano manufacturers have their own association is called "Bundesverband Klavier" http://www.pianos.de/ Jurgen Goering
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