<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PostalCode"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="Street"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="address"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PersonName"/>  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue style='word-wrap: break-word;-khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space'> <div class=Section1> Hi Thomas,<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> You’re right about it being different for every tech. I tune for BYU as well as “<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Snow</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">College</st1:PlaceType>”, a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Steinway</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> with 34 Steinways. While I don’t deal with the same issues at both schools I think a “CAUT Credential” should probably cover the larger school needs so that if the smaller school CAUT tech ever went to a larger university he/she would be better trained. Well, at least they might be exposed to the larger scale problems/issues at a larger institution. We mustn’t get into a mindset that this credential will be all/do all for all techs any more than a teaching degree will help the “one room schoolhouse” teacher the same as the larger 5A schools. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Jim Busby BYU<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Russell Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 9:38 PM To: caut@ptg.org Subject: Re: [CAUT] CAUT credential<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> I have been following this discussion but haven't chimed in until now.  As was pointed out recently, CAUT encompasses a wide variety of positions.  My position at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Iowa</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> is a contract position that requires high level concert preparation and tuning for international orchestras, solo pianists, and touring chamber ensembles several times a year.  Other than that I am asked to maintain approximately 30 aging Steinway grands (and 30 various uprights) in studios, on stages, and in practice rooms on a limited budget.  I give advice about what I see as priorities and hope they can come up with the money to pay for what is needed.  I am paid my rate for the work I provide.  I have nothing to do with administration, budgeting, HVAC, or supervision.  <o:p></o:p> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> I am asked to do the work at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Iowa</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> because, over the years, I have been able to consistently provide quality work on demand.  I built up a level of trust over time.  Although I haven't seen any data on hiring practices or types of contracts, I would guess that my situation is fairly typical of universities and colleges that don't have national level music programs.  In my position, a CAUT credential as described by many on the list wouldn't be useful to me or <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Iowa</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.  The musicians and concert venue managers that request my work and the administrators that agree to pay me do so because I provide the specific services at the level they require.  From what I have seen on this list, every university has a different set of needs for the technician.  Their best hiring process would be references, vita, and a trial over time prior to a long term contract.  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> As a working technician, I would agree with the sentiments expressed by Richard West.  I think PTG efforts would be best expended in creating training materials and providing training opportunities for CAUTS in all the areas where needs have been expressed in these discussions.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> Thomas Russell RPT<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Iowa</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><o:p></o:p> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div> On Nov 1, 2007, at 8:32 PM, <a href="mailto:caut-request@ptg.org">caut-request@ptg.org</a> wrote:<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p></o:p> <div> Send caut mailing list submissions to<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>             <a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>             <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives">https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a><o:p></o:p> </div> <div> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>             <a href="mailto:caut-request@ptg.org">caut-request@ptg.org</a><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> You can reach the person managing the list at<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>             <a href="mailto:caut-owner@ptg.org">caut-owner@ptg.org</a><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> than "Re: Contents of caut digest..."<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Today's Topics:<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div>    1. Re: CAUT credential vs. academic program? (<a href="mailto:ITUNEPIANO@aol.com">ITUNEPIANO@aol.com</a>)<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>    2. Re: CAUT credential vs. academic program? (Kent Swafford)<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>    3. Re: CAUT credential vs. academic program? (Jim Busby)<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>    4. Re: CAUT credential vs. academic program? (<a href="mailto:ITUNEPIANO@aol.com">ITUNEPIANO@aol.com</a>)<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>    5. Re: CAUT credential vs. academic program? (David Love)<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>    6. Re: CAUT credential vs. academic program? (David Love)<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>    7. Re: CAUT credential vs. academic program? (David Love)<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt;min-height: 17px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt'> From: <a href="mailto:ITUNEPIANO@aol.com">ITUNEPIANO@aol.com</a><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:30.0pt'> Date: November 1, 2007 6:51:24 PM CDT<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:20.25pt'> To: <a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:45.75pt'> Subject: Re: [CAUT] CAUT credential vs. academic program?<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:53.25pt'> Reply-To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName> <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> <div> <div> In a message dated 11/1/2007 6:16:48 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, <a href="mailto:pwilliams4@unlnotes.unl.edu">pwilliams4@unlnotes.unl.edu</a> writes:<o:p></o:p> </div> <blockquote style='margin-left:0in;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> At the very least, we should understand musical nomenclature even if we can only play chopsticks. <o:p></o:p> </blockquote> </div> Sounds like musical nomenclature could be part of a caut class/written test.  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Bob Maret, RPT Piano Technician<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p></o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-top:7.5pt;text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> See what's new at <a href="http://www.aol.com?NCID=AOLCMP00300000001170" target="_blank" title="http://www.aol.com?NCID=AOLCMP00300000001170">AOL.com</a> and <a href="http://www.aol.com/mksplash.adp?NCID=AOLCMP00300000001169" target="_blank" title="http://www.aol.com/mksplash.adp?NCID=AOLCMP00300000001169">Make AOL Your Homepage</a>.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt;min-height: 17px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt'> From: Kent Swafford <<a href="mailto:kswafford@gmail.com">kswafford@gmail.com</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:30.0pt'> Date: November 1, 2007 6:46:46 PM CDT<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:20.25pt'> To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName> <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:45.75pt'> Subject: Re: [CAUT] CAUT credential vs. academic program?<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:53.25pt'> Reply-To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName> <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div> On Nov 1, 2007, at 5:50 PM, Jim Busby wrote:<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p></o:p> <span style='orphans: 2;text-align:auto;widows: 2;-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0;word-spacing:0px'>This one sentence is what I want to comment on “If an RPT/ CAUT is to be something "more desireable" than an RPT status, then different standards should be established”.  I don’t see the CAUT credential as something “more desirable” or higher, better than, etc. It seems to me like it’s just “different”, or “in addition to” RPT. My understanding of a “CAUT Credential” is that it will help CAUTs focus on things that non CAUTs may not need.<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> Sounds like a "specialty" to me. CAUTs are "specialists", aren't they?<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kent</st1:place></st1:country-region><o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt;min-height: 17px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt'> From: Jim Busby <<a href="mailto:jim_busby@byu.edu">jim_busby@byu.edu</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:30.0pt'> Date: November 1, 2007 6:55:06 PM CDT<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:20.25pt'> To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName> <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:45.75pt'> Subject: Re: [CAUT] CAUT credential vs. academic program?<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:53.25pt'> Reply-To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName> <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> <O:SMARTTAGTYPE namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"><O:SMARTTAGTYPE namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"><O:SMARTTAGTYPE namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PersonName">Yes. Not “better”…specialists. <O:P></O:P><o:p></o:p> <O:P> </O:P><o:p></o:p> Jim<O:P></O:P><o:p></o:p> <O:P> </O:P><o:p></o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [<a href="mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org">mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org</a>] On Behalf Of Kent Swafford Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 5:47 PM To: <ST1:PERSONNAME u1:st="on"><st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</ST1:PERSONNAME></st1:PersonName> Subject: Re: [CAUT] CAUT credential vs. academic program?<O:P></O:P><o:p></o:p> </div> <O:P> </O:P><o:p></o:p> <O:P> </O:P><o:p></o:p> <div> <div> On Nov 1, 2007, at 5:50 PM, Jim Busby wrote:<O:P></O:P><o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p></o:p> <O:P></O:P> <span style='orphans: 2;text-align:auto;widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px;-webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0;word-spacing:0px'>This one sentence is what I want to comment on “If an RPT/ CAUT is to be something "more desireable" than an RPT status, then different standards should be established”.  I don’t see the CAUT credential as something “more desirable” or higher, better than, etc. It seems to me like it’s just “different”, or “in addition to” RPT. My understanding of a “CAUT Credential” is that it will help CAUTs focus on things that non CAUTs may not need.<O:P></O:P><o:p></o:p> </div> <O:P> </O:P><o:p></o:p> <div> Sounds like a "specialty" to me. CAUTs are "specialists", aren't they?<O:P></O:P><o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <O:P> </O:P><o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <O:P> </O:P><o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <ST1:COUNTRY-REGION u1:st="on"><ST1:PLACE u1:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kent</st1:place></st1:country-region></ST1:PLACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION><O:P></O:P><o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <O:P> </O:P><o:p></o:p> </div> </div> </O:SMARTTAGTYPE></O:SMARTTAGTYPE></O:SMARTTAGTYPE> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt;min-height: 17px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt'> From: <a href="mailto:ITUNEPIANO@aol.com">ITUNEPIANO@aol.com</a><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:30.0pt'> Date: November 1, 2007 6:54:05 PM CDT<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:20.25pt'> To: <a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:45.75pt'> Subject: Re: [CAUT] CAUT credential vs. academic program?<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:53.25pt'> Reply-To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName> <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> Agree 100%, Jim<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Bob Maret, RPT Piano Technician<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p></o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-top:7.5pt;text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> See what's new at <a href="http://www.aol.com?NCID=AOLCMP00300000001170" target="_blank" title="http://www.aol.com?NCID=AOLCMP00300000001170">AOL.com</a> and <a href="http://www.aol.com/mksplash.adp?NCID=AOLCMP00300000001169" target="_blank" title="http://www.aol.com/mksplash.adp?NCID=AOLCMP00300000001169">Make AOL Your Homepage</a>.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt;min-height: 17px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt'> From: "David Love" <<a href="mailto:davidlovepianos@comcast.net">davidlovepianos@comcast.net</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:30.0pt'> Date: November 1, 2007 7:40:17 PM CDT<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:20.25pt'> To: "'<st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName>'" <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:45.75pt'> Subject: Re: [CAUT] CAUT credential vs. academic program?<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:53.25pt'> Reply-To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName> <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> While knowing how to play the piano certainly can’t hurt a piano technician, it’s not clear that it necessarily helps.  Certainly being a pianist doesn’t make you a piano technician: how many pianists can’t tell you the difference between a hammer and a damper?  Piano technicians will have different skill sets and levels of understanding the mechanics of a piano and you will find just as often excellent piano technicians who don’t play as you will piano technicians who play who aren’t very skilled technicians.  The same is true for communicating.  A skilled technician is in part, by my definition, one who is able to communicate effectively with the pianist whether it is about the difficulties of executing a rapid passage, the subtleties of voicing, or the quality of tone.  Where a piano technician who doesn’t play is at somewhat of a disadvantage is that they can’t necessarily test out the performance aspect themselves.  But how many piano technicians, even those who do play, really can push the piano to its limit.  Playing the piano and working on the piano are not always the most compatible, especially in terms of the stresses put on the hands.  <o:p></o:p> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> David Love <a href="mailto:davidlovepianos@comcast.net">davidlovepianos@comcast.net</a> <a href="http://www.davidlovepianos.com">www.davidlovepianos.com</a> <o:p></o:p> </div> -----Original Message----- From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [<a href="mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org">mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org</a>] On Behalf Of Paul T Williams Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 3:12 PM To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName> Subject: Re: [CAUT] CAUT credential vs. academic program?<o:p></o:p> <div style='margin-left:.5in'>  <o:p></o:p> </div> Jeff, Since we don't have a time machine to test that, then yes, it is "impossible to measure"  How do you know what to do if the pianist says " it's difficult to control the pedaling during the pianissimo section of the development in the second movement" or "the presto section of so and so's piece is nearly impossible to acheive"? This kind of musical knowledge is crucial to make the artist happy. Some musicians attempt to put things in layman's terms, but many don't. They do a lot of assuming that we understand their speak. On the other side, some musicians try to understand our lingo and many do, but most don't.  The more education on both sides of the coin, the better the end result will be. At the very least, we should understand musical nomenclature even if we can only play chopsticks. Diversity of learning involves both education and life experiences. Where do you/we draw the line?  There is no "formula" to do this...  Do you want a clear-cut solution? That too, is "impossible". What is your "perfect solution" , then?  There is none, but we have to start with something. If an RPT/ CAUT is to be something "more desireable" than an RPT status, then different standards should be established. So, how would you determine what that is? Or, should we just go with the status-quo for universities to mearly know that RPT's have reached a great level of piano technology and leave the education learned elsewhere by the wayside? Paul <o:p></o:p> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;margin-left:.5in'> <tr> <td width="39%" valign=top style='width:39.98%;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> Jeff Tanner <<a href="mailto:jtanner@mozart.sc.edu">jtanner@mozart.sc.edu</a>> Sent by: <a href="mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org">caut-bounces@ptg.org</a> <o:p></o:p> 10/31/2007 01:11 PM <o:p></o:p> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellpadding=0> <tr> <td valign=top bgcolor=white style='background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> Please respond to <st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName> <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>><o:p></o:p> </td> </tr> </table> <div> <o:p></o:p> </div> </td> <td width="58%" valign=top style='width:58.98%;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'> <tr> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> To<o:p></o:p> </td> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName> <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>> <o:p></o:p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> cc<o:p></o:p> </td> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> Subject<o:p></o:p> </td> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> Re: [CAUT] CAUT credential vs. academic program?<o:p></o:p> </td> </tr> </table> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0> <tr> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> </td> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <div> <o:p></o:p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt;min-height: 17px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt'> From: "David Love" <<a href="mailto:davidlovepianos@comcast.net">davidlovepianos@comcast.net</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:30.0pt'> Date: November 1, 2007 8:13:00 PM CDT<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:20.25pt'> To: "'<st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName>'" <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:45.75pt'> Subject: Re: [CAUT] CAUT credential vs. academic program?<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:53.25pt'> Reply-To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName> <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> One problem I see in all this is that at all levels the requirements are different and it renders the classification somewhat meaningless—certainly for those of us on the inside.  There are RPTs who took the tests some years ago and haven’t worked on a piano for ages, preferring now to spend their time as dealers.  There are others who only do simple house call type work and then there are those who can build you a piano out of a pile of lumber and some scrap iron.  There are those who manage rebuilding shops with many employees, inventories, buy and sell and do concert work and there are those who do nothing more than dealer service calls.  Similarly, there are CAUT’s who manage all levels of inventory, rebuilding, purchasing and employees and others who simply do simple service work on demand.  Unless you differentiate by some sort of subcategorizing method, adding various subtests like boy scout merit badges, a separate CAUT classification would be no more helpful in defining someone’s skills than the RPT classification.  I don’t see that happening nor do I think it would be an easy thing to administer.  <o:p></o:p> <div> David Love <a href="mailto:davidlovepianos@comcast.net">davidlovepianos@comcast.net</a> <a href="http://www.davidlovepianos.com">www.davidlovepianos.com</a> <o:p></o:p> </div> -----Original Message----- From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [<a href="mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org">mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org</a>] On Behalf Of Kent Swafford Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 4:47 PM To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName> Subject: Re: [CAUT] CAUT credential vs. academic program?<o:p></o:p> <div style='margin-left:.5in'>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:.5in'>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <div> On Nov 1, 2007, at 5:50 PM, Jim Busby wrote:<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <span style='orphans: 2; text-align:auto;widows: 2;-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px;-webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0;word-spacing:0px'>This one sentence is what I want to comment on “If an RPT/ CAUT is to be something "more desireable" than an RPT status, then different standards should be established”.  I don’t see the CAUT credential as something “more desirable” or higher, better than, etc. It seems to me like it’s just “different”, or “in addition to” RPT. My understanding of a “CAUT Credential” is that it will help CAUTs focus on things that non CAUTs may not need.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:.5in'>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Sounds like a "specialty" to me. CAUTs are "specialists", aren't they?<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <div style='margin-left:.5in'>  <o:p></o:p> </div> </div> <div> <div style='margin-left:.5in'>  <o:p></o:p> </div> </div> <div> <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kent</st1:place></st1:country-region><o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <div style='margin-left:.5in'>  <o:p></o:p> </div> </div> </div> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt;min-height: 17px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:33.0pt'> From: "David Love" <<a href="mailto:davidlovepianos@comcast.net">davidlovepianos@comcast.net</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:30.0pt'> Date: November 1, 2007 8:31:24 PM CDT<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:20.25pt'> To: "'<st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName>'" <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:45.75pt'> Subject: Re: [CAUT] CAUT credential vs. academic program?<o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:53.25pt'> Reply-To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName> <<a href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</a>><o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div style='min-height: 14px'> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> I sent this off in a bit of a hurry and wanted to add that playing can actually hurt you as a technician—especially if you don’t really play that well.  I’ve heard many technicians who can supposedly play but have a limited repertoire and one which they struggle to get through.  One problem when you are struggling to play something is that you often don’t really hear it that well, you are too consumed with getting the notes under your fingers to pay close attention to what you are hearing.  That can be a distraction.  A non player who plays a few notes at a time listening carefully for tone, can test repetition with a two handed stroke, and who can assess balance by comparing in a simple way various sections of the piano may be better off than one who puts the piano to the test by a poorly played Chopin Polonaise.  <o:p></o:p> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> David Love <a href="mailto:davidlovepianos@comcast.net">davidlovepianos@comcast.net</a> <a href="http://www.davidlovepianos.com">www.davidlovepianos.com</a> <o:p></o:p> </div> -----Original Message----- From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [<a href="mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org">mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org</a>] On Behalf Of David Love Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 5:40 PM To: '<st1:PersonName w:st="on">College and University Technicians</st1:PersonName>' Subject: Re: [CAUT] CAUT credential vs. academic program?<o:p></o:p> <div style='margin-left:.5in'>  <o:p></o:p> </div> While knowing how to play the piano certainly can’t hurt a piano technician, it’s not clear that it necessarily helps.  Certainly being a pianist doesn’t make you a piano technician: how many pianists can’t tell you the difference between a hammer and a damper?  Piano technicians will have different skill sets and levels of understanding the mechanics of a piano and you will find just as often excellent piano technicians who don’t play as you will piano technicians who play who aren’t very skilled technicians.  The same is true for communicating.  A skilled technician is in part, by my definition, one who is able to communicate effectively with the pianist whether it is about the difficulties of executing a rapid passage, the subtleties of voicing, or the quality of tone.  Where a piano technician who doesn’t play is at somewhat of a disadvantage is that they can’t necessarily test out the performance aspect themselves.  But how many piano technicians, even those who do play, really can push the piano to its limit.  Playing the piano and working on the piano are not always the most compatible, especially in terms of the stresses put on the hands.  <o:p></o:p> <div style='margin-left:.5in'>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> David Love <a href="mailto:davidlovepianos@comcast.net">davidlovepianos@comcast.net</a> <a href="http://www.davidlovepianos.com">www.davidlovepianos.com</a> <o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='margin-left:1.0in'>  <o:p></o:p> </div> </div> <div> _______________________________________________<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> caut list info: <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives">https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a><o:p></o:p> </div> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div> Thomas Russell RPT<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Registered Piano Technician<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">1206 Michigan Ave.</st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Ames</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">IA</st1:State>  <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">50014</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> 515-268-1616<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <a 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