In need of some encouragement

[Pianoman]

Hi Avery,
I think all schools are constantly being pressed to keep costs in check. 
Here, as everywhere, teachers and programs are struggling and administrator, 
top honchos, are making over $100k to boss things.  I do not think even 
beginner tuners will take $50 tunings unless they are warranty types from 
the dealer.  On the other hand, us old guys, gets phased out because we used 
to work for those prices 25 years ago.  Maybe that is the scheme of things. 
It is a good opening for beginners.
James
James Grebe   Piano Tuning & Repair   Member of M.P.T.
R.P.T. of the P.T.G. for over 30 years.   "Member of the Year" in 1989
Creator of Handsome Hardwood Caster Cups, Piano Benches, Writing 
Instruments,Table Timepieces
 (314) 845-8282   1526 Raspberry Lane   Arnold, MO 63010
Researcher of St. Louis Theatre History
BECOME WHAT YOU BELIEVE!
pianoman at accessus.net
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Avery" <avery1 at houston.rr.com>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, September 08, 2006 6:03 PM
Subject: Re: In need of some encouragement


> At 01:50 PM 9/8/2006, you wrote:
>>About an hour later she calls back and had to cancel as the administrator 
>>told her unless the charge was $50 or less per piano they would not pay 
>>for it.  That is almost half the going rate so I lost the 3 piano tunings.
>
> I can't help but wonder what HIS salary is? Probably over $20,000 a 
> year!!!!!!!! Ya think?
>
> Avery
>
>>JAMES
>>James Grebe   Piano Tuning & Repair   Member of M.P.T.
>>R.P.T. of the P.T.G. for over 30 years.   "Member of the Year" in 1989
>>Creator of Handsome Hardwood Caster Cups, Piano Benches, Writing 
>>Instruments,Table Timepieces
>>(314) 845-8282   1526 Raspberry Lane   Arnold, MO 63010
>>Researcher of St. Louis Theatre History
>>BECOME WHAT YOU BELIEVE!
>>pianoman at accessus.net
>>----- Original Message ----- From: "David B. Stang" 
>><stangdave at columbus.rr.com>
>>To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
>>Sent: Friday, September 08, 2006 11:57 AM
>>Subject: In need of some encouragement
>>
>>
>>>Friends,
>>>I'm feeling a little bit discouraged for two reasons.
>>>
>>>First, I am really struggling with my aural temperament tuning. I 
>>>understand intellectually how it is supposed to fit together, how all the 
>>>intervals ought to beat, and so on. But I have been practicing at home 
>>>and at customers' homes for a few months now, and I still just can't do 
>>>it right. By "do it right" I mean get it close enough to pass the RPT 
>>>exam (I use my ETD to test myself). My main problem, I think, is, I just 
>>>can't always hear the beats. For instance, I can nearly always hear the 
>>>F3-A3 Major 3rd, and the F3-D4 6th. But I struggle to hear the A3-C#4 and 
>>>especially struggle to hear the C#4-F4. I can't percieve those faster 
>>>beats. And sometimes I can't hear the beating even when it's supposed to 
>>>be slow. Sometimes the 5ths and 4ths are loud and clear; other times they 
>>>are not there at all. Are my ears the problem? Is it my brain?
>>>
>>>Second, I am discouraged with my business. I could use some more 
>>>customers. I have gotten every kind of marketing advice imaginable - 
>>>that's not what I need. I am unhappy because I am kind of shy, and I just 
>>>don't do some of those assertive things that many business people do. It 
>>>doesn't come naturally for me to sell myself. (Like my friend Jon 
>>>Ralinovsky who was just e-ridiculed on this list, for simply posting the 
>>>link to the Cincinnati Seminar without tooting his own horn about the 
>>>good stuff he has lined up!) Maybe I don't have the right personality to 
>>>run my own business.
>>>
>>>Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.
>>>Thanks
>>>
>>>David B. Stang, 2/3-rds of the way toward RPT
>>>Columbus, Ohio
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>