They're out there, but let's try to bring them in the fold

[David Love]

I have to agree with John (and Jon) here.  While we all went through a
learning curve of some sort, we shouldn't hesitate to communicate that a
high standard is expected and that one's work is open for serious criticism
if and when you take your show on the road.  The person doing this kind of
work should be thankful that the quality, or lack thereof, of their work is
being pointed out by other members of the trade rather than the aggrieved
customer.   

If I were serious about pursuing the trade and were doing sloppy work I
wouldn't want anyone tiptoeing around me afraid to hurt my feelings.  Better
to know, get organized and move forward.  The truth often hurts.  

David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net 
www.davidlovepianos.com

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of John Delacour
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 4:57 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: RE: They're out there, but let's try to bring them in the fold

At 14:37 -0400 1/4/08, Dean May wrote:

>...calling people names only builds the walls higher. I see no 
>upside. Shaming people will not cause them to see the light. It will 
>only make those on the fringes (many of them reading this list) to 
>continue staying away from full engagement, because they don't have 
>the confidence and they certainly don't want to be called names.
>
>Let's try to build bridges, not widen chasms.


Nonsense!  The man's an born incompetent botcher and will always be 
one, and there are far too many of them around.  There are no bridges 
to be built between the craftsman and such impostors.

At 07:55 -0400 1/4/08, AlliedPianoCraft wrote:

>Sorry Dean, I had jigs and guides from day one. Yes, I'm better now, 
>but my first was most acceptable. The man doesn't even know basic 
>woodworking.

Exactly!

At 06:56 -0400 1/4/08, Farrell wrote:

>...from day one, any ethical technician should be able to 
>distinguish between acceptable work results and unacceptable results.

Yes.  If a tuner, whether registered or not, is not naturally 
inclined to the very precise understanding and practice of piano 
repair, he should leave well alone and stick to tuning.  And I'm 
afraid, from long experience, that means the vast majority of them.

JD