Fw: learner with some questions

[Farrell]

Dear Listees, and Especially Budding Piano Technicians,

Four days ago, Nancy wrote to the Pianotech List seeking some basic 
information regarding how long it might take someone to learn how to tune a 
piano before they go out tuning for pay. I replied to that post, the gist of 
which is copied below.

I think it is reasonable to assume that Nancy is trying to learn how to tune 
aurally (for that is the preferable way to learn and certainly the way the 
Potter course directs its participants).

It was pointed out to me (appropriately so) that my response was misleading 
by omission of pertinent details. I stated that I did the Potter course in 
three or four months, practiced for a couple more months and then started 
tuning for pay. That is true. My error of omission was that when I started 
tuning pianos for pay, six months after starting the Potter course, I was 
relying on use of my ETD (SAT II). When I started tuning for pay I had not 
mastered a full suite of aural tuning skills - primarily, I was not able to 
set an acceptable temperament.

I was certainly not in any way deliberately trying to mislead anyone with my 
omission, but rather I simply did not think my response through thoroughly.

My response was initially directed at Terry Peterson's response that 1,000 
tunings are required before one tunes a piano for pay. IMHO, doing 1,000 
tunings for free is grossly excessive to simply feel qualified to aurally 
tune a piano at the beginning level.

Nancy also asked about an RPT as a tuning tutor. I stated that I learned to 
tune without benefit of a tutor. However, I did not state that, on my own, I 
only learned how to tune with the aid of an ETD. I would strongly suggest 
that anyone trying to learn aural tuning enlist the assistance of a skilled 
aural tuning tutor/mentor.

So, especially for those reading these posts and trying to figure out how 
long it takes to learn aural piano tuning - all I can say with authority is 
that in my experience, the answer would be longer than six months.

I also wish to make clear that I fully believe that good aural tuning skills 
are very important for any piano technician to learn. You will always be 
further ahead with those skills. Even if you do not specialize in tuning, 
good basic knowledge of aural tuning principles will never go to waste. I 
strongly encourage anyone studying this profession to master aural tuning 
skills.

I apologize for my misleading post. I hope I didn't contribute to steering 
anyone in a less productive direction.

Sincerely,

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 9:10 PM
Subject: Re: learner with some questions


> ...the bottom line is to be able to produce a decently tuned piano - 
> pretty clean unisons (as the piano allows) and the rest where nothing 
> stands out - within maybe two hours or so. IMHO, after a few months of 
> practicing tuning principles, and then doing full tunings on a few dozen 
> pianos, you might be at that point.
>
> I did the Potter course in about three or four months, practiced 
> principles during that time, continued practice for a couple more months 
> and I don't think I did more than a couple dozen full tunings before I 
> hung out my sign and started tuning for pay.
>
SNIP
>
> Do the course, practice, do a few dozen free tunings for friends and then 
> go tune like a pro - because at that point you will be one!
>
> Terry Farrell


----- Original Message ----- 
From: nancy downs
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 8:42 AM
Subject: learner with some questions
SNIP
>> <<Also, is there some kind of consensus as to how many pianos a person 
>> has to tune before they are ready for the real world? >>

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "pianolover 88" <pianolover88@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 8:20 PM
Subject: RE: learner with some questions


> <<Also, is there some kind of consensus as to how many pianos a person has 
> to tune before they are ready for the real world? >>
>
> About 1,000 on average.
>
> Terry Peterson