[pianotech] Ethics and efficacy of part-time tuning

[G Cousins]

David, 
I concur with the analysis of you and Mike, however,

M Webster 
Main Entry:1pro·fes·sion·alPronunciation:\prə-ˈfesh-nəl, -ˈfe-shə-nəl\
    Function:adjectiveDate:1606
  1 a: of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession b: engaged in one of the learned professions c 
            (1): characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession 
            (2): exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace2 a: participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs <a professional golfer> b: having a particular profession as a permanent career <a professional soldier> c: engaged in by persons receiving financial return <professional football>3: following a line of conduct as though it were a profession <a professional patriot>

Every professional  Eg:  Doctor, Accountant, Attorney, Architect Policeman, Firefighter, Electrician, Plumber etc is worthy of the profession due to their full time comitment to their trade. If I'm in the ER or a Hospital I truly HOPE that the doctor is a Full Time doctor. I think my wife would insist that the doctor is a full time profesional in his or her specialty if I'm on the operting table. (at least i hope so  haha)  That said there is a true added value in being a full time technician. Just as being an RPT has added value to the craftsperson who has earned the title.  IMHO 

Gerry Cousins, RPT






From: david at piano.plus.com
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:52:17 +0100
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Ethics and efficacy of part-time tuning

Good thoughts, Michael.
 
I guess you would also object to *fulltime*  techs who are as you describe
- not trying to better themselves, etc?
 
When the Pianoforte Tuners Assoiciation opened up their convention &
classes in the 1980s to non-members, I was always eager to attend, went to
loads of wonderful classes and learned lots of useful stuff, anad met some
very nice people. I used to look forward so much to going.
 
I've been a member of this forum for around a decade, and have found it
such a warmhearted and informative and helpful place.
 
I have most of the books on piano technology and tuning, including the two
relatively recent ones by Capleton which I've commented on in here
previously.
 
Two years ago I invested in a Fujan lever (which I love) - I doubt if
there are many others in Scotland.
 
I am always eager to learn of new tools, techniques and materials.
 
Hopefully these things help to establish that my interest is an active and
progressive one.  My remit in my fulltime job currently is about lifelong
learning, and I am a proponent of it.
 
But I am a part-time  tuner/technician.
 
Is a full-timer who has done none of those things and who has one year's
experience forty times over (as  another contributor sapiently put it)
preferable?
 
Best regards,
 
David.
 
 
>I have no objection to part-time technicians. my mentor is now a part
>timer after many years of 12 and 14 hour days.
>I have no objection to part-time techs who are establishing themselves, I
>was, in fact, one of those.
 
>My objection is to the part timers who make no attempt to better
>themselves, have no contact with any of the techs in the region, do not
>seek out the local PTG chapter but just continue on their merry way
>repeating the same mistakes over and over, ad infinitum. In a those
cases >I have made attempts to seek them out, one accepted, the others
weren't >interested.
 
>We all have done work we would rather not admit to years later, not on
>purpose, just as we were learning.
>My favorite analogy is driving. Right after you got your license you were
>certain you knew everything you needed to know about driving, looking back
>now, you wonder how you survived!
>Mike
 
 
 
 


--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: davidlovepianos at comcast.net
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:07:58 -0700
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Ethics and efficacy of part-time tuning

I don't see why not.  Believe me, if I could make a living working 15 - 20
hours a week I'd do it in a NY minute.  Lots of other things to do in this
life.  For many people that's plenty of time for banging your head inside a
piano.  As in any endeavor your goal should be the highest quality service.
While there can be a relationship between time input and skill development
it is not necessarily proportional--at least not after a point.  How much
work time you commit per week is not really relevant, in my opinion.
Anyway, a sparse and uncertain marketplace may preclude a full time
commitment anyway, at least one that earns income.  
 
David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of david at piano.plus.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 6:50 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Ethics and efficacy of part-time tuning
 
Nice thoughts, David.
 
The situation I'm describing from my personal perspective is a bit
different, though.
 
In the 80s I was working two jobs too. Then the opportunity of a secure
well-paid permanent job in teaching opened up. I felt that I would be
foolish not to take it, so I did.  Thus, for me, tuning has remained a
useful second income, rather than being developed into a fulltime
occupation.
 
Is that bad?
 
I fill a geographical niche, offering a service of a quality that
discerning customers seem to like.
 
Is it OK to keep doing that?
 
Or must there be an all-out effort (in a sparse and very uncertain
marketplace) to become a fulltime tuner/technician?
 
Best regards,
 
David.
 
 
 
>When I started out I was working two jobs while the piano business
>developed.  Eventually I was working 7 days a week and at a certain point
>you just have to make a choice unless your other job can be phased out
>(which, fortunately, mine was able to be).  Under the best of circumstance
>it just takes time to develop enough of a clientele to support yourself,
>your family and the other self employment expenses that go along with it
>such as retirement, health insurance, etc..  The government doesn't like
>self employed people and they don't make it easy.
 
>David Love
>www.davidlovepianos.com
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