Hello Doug, I ordered the American School of Piano Tuning and it was a joke, but it was on me, the tools were really sub-standard. No pictures or anything in the course just typewritten text. The tuning method is really dated, not a modern temperament with all the aural checks. After reading each chapter, I didn't even bother corresponding with them, I used other books. My suggestion is that you get all the video tapes of Jim Coleman Sr. Superior Tapes. He has a whole series. I think they are $40-50 each. Randy Potter uses some of Coleman tapes in his course. Jim Coleman Sr. is the dean of Piano Tuning at the conventions has been teaching for over 40 years and in his spare time welcomes the new students. You could even schedule an all day seminar with him at his house in Tempe and you wouldn't be disappointed. He is on this list so you could email him privately. If you get the book Piano Tuning and Servicing by Art Reblitz, it too is the bible which any competant tuner should have. After you gain some experience your local tuners will take notice of you and surely help, but if not there are plenty of things you can learn on you own until you are in a better beginner friendly environment. Randy Potter's course is very complete but it might be more than you want, I have seen it and highly recommend it too. Eliot Lee
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