[pianotech] Question of Protocol; was: but will it split

[Shawn Brock]

William,

I agree but...  No one has a need to get upset about my comments, I just stated my opinion.  Its just a shame that so much time is taken up arguing in a pointless manner.  Its like being back in the third grade...  Like I stated in an earlier email, I respect and value anyone who does the work we do.  It has nothing to do with agreeing or disagreeing, I have learned something from every technician I have ever met.  A lot of what I have learned is what not to do, but that is maybe the most important lesson you can get in life.  All the best to you in the comeing year.

Shawn Brock, RPT
513-316-0563
www.shawnbrock.com
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: William Monroe 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2008 1:10 PM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Question of Protocol; was: but will it split


  Yes, and a happy new year to you, too.  <G>

  I think it depends upon how you receive it.  And, I think you could make the same blanket statement of any profession.  If you are predisposed to seeing us (piano technicians, that is) as self-serving, holier than thou's, then by and large that is how we will appear to you.  If, however, you are open to the idea that most of us are not self-aggrandizing soap boxers, I think your attitude might shift.  Certainly egotistical technicians do exist, but I really rather think they are the exception, not the rule.

  Ultimately, though, it really is your attitude.  If you choose to see us as mostly bad, we will be.  If you choose to witness the incredible generosity and sharing  that most of us take part in, without regard to the amount of work or thought it took us to come up with some of our skills, I think you'll start down a (pleasant) path which allows you to dismiss the few who are non-collegial and be a part of a rather eccentric, selfless group of good folks.

  The rather minimal effort it takes to parse out the disagreeable few and enjoy and learn from the rather agreeable rest is so completely worth it for me.  I hate to think where my skills would be if I decided to just "mind my own business."  I've learned so much from the PTG (even from those disagreeable ones).  I've found that my growth is worth it.

  Enjoy the season.
  William R. Monroe

    SNIP
     Some piano technicians think they are god, and no one else could work the miracles that they do and everyone other than
    them is just s**t.  A colleague in the Cincinnati chapter once pointed this out to me.  I was vary arguable for a time thinking the technician just had
    a chip on his shoulder.  The longer I'm around a large number of technicians though the more I think the colleague was correct in his thinking.  At one
    time I would do anything to be a part of this list and all PTG chapter meetings and conventions.  My mind has changed though...  Its not worth it!  Its not
    worth putting up with people who have such a bad attitude.  I just go to my appointments, do my shop work and try to keep my mouth shut.  Musicians are legendary for having large egos and most of my life I worked in that competitive throat cutting environment.  I have to tell you though piano technicians are just as egotistical, perhaps more so than the musicians they/we serve.  That is a true shame!  We work on perhaps the most primitive junk piles in the musical world but yet some of us think we are just the gods all pianists have been waiting fore.  Don't misunderstand me, I am not talking about any certain person, its just that this thread brought these ramblings to the front of my mind.  So, I guess that's all I have to say now.  I'm out to voice and tune an S&S B.  

    Shawn Brock, RPT
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