Making the Transition

[ROBOTUNER@AOL.COM]

       I guess I maybe shouldn't be replying to this since I have allways 
been a piano tuner.And I have worked for the same dealer for 20 years.But 
here is my story.
        I learned piano technology at Shenandoah Conservatory.I started in my 
junior year.Prior to that I was a trombone performance major.It was in my 
junior year that a former classmate returned to school a year after he had 
graduated to teach piano tech.His name was Jerry Rhoads and he had been a 
Bass Trombone player in the Orchestra with me.This was in 1977.
        Piano tuning had been a career option for me as early as 8th grade 
when my trombone teacher James Crowe was also a tuner and I loved watching 
him tune the family spinet.
        I started my career as a tuner still hopeing to get a break as a 
professional trombone player.Tuneing was to be a side line.That was back in 
1980 and I am now a part time trombonist and full time Concert and Artist 
Technician.I even get to see my trombone teacher that I had after college 
when I tune for the National Symphony(that's a name drop...I really only tune 
for the National Symphony when they are playing outdoor concerts)Funny 
thing..a former trombone teacher of mine,who is principle trombone in the 
National Symphony, is a part time piano tuner.My piano tech teacher after 
college was Rick Butler who is the full time Tuner for the National Symphony 
at the Kennedy Center...He doesn't play trombone.
        Another guestion for the group is,since many of us our musicians,what 
is your primary instrument other than the tuning hammer? I wonder if there is 
a prodominace of trombone players.