Training New Tech

[Farrell]

A woman/client approached me the other day regarding the piano technician
profession. I was tuning her new (new to her) 1976 Yamaha G1 that I helper
her buy (nearly perfect shape, very little wear - $2,000 - what a steal!). I
would guess she is mid thirties, two small kids (est. 2 & 4 yo) married,
Master's degree in some kind of hand therapy - used to help folks use their
orthopedic devices for hand injuries, etc. She does not want to go back to
the medical profession. She is staying home presently with the kids. Family
is MILITARY. Typical stay is two to six years (sounds like most commonly two
to four). She is looking for a new profession. She thinks she would like to
keep it part time - like when kids are in school, etc.

She is an advanced piano player. She has taught piano lessons. She is music
director & pianist at her church. She says she is very mechanically inclined
(likely true given her previous profession - she does geometry well - maybe
she would be a natural with action geometry!). She expressed interest in
learning in-home tuning & repairing and shop work. If she were to pursue it,
she would likely do the Randy Potter course and look to me for a fair bit of
training (scary thought, real scary).

I have never hired/helped/associated with/etc. another tech before. I could
actually use a bit of help at this point. I am very busy. I am very
interested in any input/experiences any of you have regarding this type of
matter. Both from her point of view (how would it work for her, given her
military situation, etc.) and from my point (obviously, there would be a lot
more training than production for a goodly while). How does one go about
figuring the value of training? She might do work in my shop (i.e., gluing
damper felts, etc.) I would spent time showing her how to do it, and she
would make some progress - what have any of you done to figure pay when it
also requires a good bit of your time - and this would obviously evolve to
where less of my time is spent and productivity goes up - how does one
account/compensate for that productivity flux? She moved into town recently.
She will likely be here two to four years. Does this have any potential for
me - beyond being interesting? I can't have it cost me money - I like the
idea of being a good Samaritan - but I have a family to feed - and the last
few years have been........well, lean. Aren't there some business theories
out there that go something like - "if it does not provide income, don't do
it!"

I think from her point of view the profession would have potential. She
moves into a new city, gets involved at her church, picks up a few students
to teach piano. Then she would check out local techs and find one or two
busy ones that are interested in subbing out some tunings and/or have some
help in shop. I think she would have to realize that she will most often be
working for/with another tech because of her temporary status in any given
location. Her income potential would be lower than a successful tech with a
well established business - but then her life would be quite a bit more
simple - I think that is part of what she is looking for. What does anyone
think of the potential for her?

Thanks for any insight.

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com