Great post. Makes sense. DA On Apr 4, 2009, at 5:20 PM, Alexander Lass wrote: > As a relatively new (and student) technician, my thoughts on this > subject may not merit as much attention as those with more > experience who have contributed. Still, I think it’s important to > show that not all associates see the aurally correct temperament > requirement as a necessary “evil” to becoming an RPT. It may seem > easy for those who have long since passed the exam to belabor its > benefits, but I am really very happy that the PTG continues to > uphold the tradition. > > I’m as tired as anyone of reading the comparisons of a piano > technician to a surgeon or car mechanic, but let’s not forget they > all have something in common: each is a professional who provides a > service to the community. They market themselves as having enough > knowledge, training, and experience to perform certain tasks with > certain fundamental and facile abilities that the public can be > reasonably well assured that the job will be done correctly. I > know that before my doctor could diagnose a torn ACL, she was > probably able to name all the bones, muscles, tendons, and > ligaments. Before that, I suspect that she learned the concept of > the scientific method: these are fundamental to the study of > medicine. The car mechanic can hook my car up to a machine that > tells him the timing is off, and my understanding is that today’s > computers will even tell him what parts need to be adjusted to > compensate for this. When he’s done making these adjustments, > though, I know he takes the car for a test drive to make sure > everything feels right and that the car can perform certain function > as it was designed. > > If Pythagoras hadn’t discovered that a bunch of fifths didn’t quite > equal up to several octaves we might not have a job; pretty much > anyone can tune a bunch of pure intervals (though, admittedly, > stability would still be a challenge for most). Maybe I’m way off, > but I see setting a solid temperament as about the most fundamental > task a piano tuner can perform. Understanding the interval > relationships and how to listen and test for the subtle differences > is – in my opinion – the core of what we do. > > There is a real misunderstanding in all of this debate, that the > aural temperament requirement of the PTG exam is in some way the > organization’s public condemnation of the ETD. I think that today’s > ETD’s are fine instruments; just like today’s medical technology and > car diagnostics are wonderful tools. But there is a lot to be said > about having a solid foundation in one’s profession. > > That’s all. Thanks to any who read this. > > Alex > Aspiring RPT > > > On Apr 4, 2009, at 8:55 AM, Duaine & Laura Hechler wrote: > >> Dave Foster wrote: >> >> <snip> >>> But I disagree that a technician NEEDS to know how to tune aurally >>> to be considered a Piano Technician. >> AMEN, BROTHER >>> So people just aren’t born with the natural ability to hear >>> certain things. That shouldn’t detour them from being a well- >>> respected great Piano Technician. >> AMEN, BROTHER >> >> <snip> >>> That’s my opinion… don’t shoot the messenger. >>> >>> Dave Foster >> I'm going to AMEN the messenger to "infinity and beyond". >> >> It's too bad that other list members - and - the PTG can't share >> your (and my) feelings ! >> -- >> Duaine Hechler >> Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ >> Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding >> Reed Organ Society Member >> Florissant, MO 63034 >> (314) 838-5587 >> dahechler at att.net >> www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com >> -- >> Home & Business user of Linux - 10 years > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech_ptg.org/attachments/20090405/cd9b7867/attachment.html>
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