[pianotech] personal question- where did you learn PT?

[Jim Busby]

Jack was, of course, the person who started "Pianotech". He was a good man. Merrill just underwent brain surgery, and while he still has his long term memory there's not much short term memory left. He sold all his tools last month.

I hope you'll come to the Las Vegas Convention. It would be good to meet you.

Jim Busby
BYU

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of James Johnson
Sent: Friday, January 15, 2010 8:56 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] personal question- where did you learn PT?

Jim,

Merrill Cox and I were very good friends and graduated together along with Jack Reeves.  We even sat next to each other in Male Chorus.  I was the first one from the program to leave the nest, so to speak, and go out into the real world to seek my fortune as a piano technician.  Jack and Merrill both stayed on as BYU employees.  By the way, I'm still seeking.  Actually, I have everything I need, just not everything I want.

Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Busby<mailto:jim_busby at byu.edu>
To: pianotech at ptg.org<mailto:pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, January 15, 2010 5:18 AM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] personal question- where did you learn PT?

Jim,

I came here to BYU the year they did away with that program! They won't let us do it due to costs. I did learn a lot from Merrill Cox, then I went back to AZ and was mentored by Arthur Gardner, taught music for nine years to support my tuning habit... then went back to fulltime piano tuning, being mentored by Vince Mrykalo. 4 Steinway seminars, 3 Yamaha, and dozens of other PTG conventions and seminars later I'm still wishing I had the BYU tech experience, or the NBSS, or others (Paul?).

Jim Busby BYU



From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of James Johnson
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 10:11 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] personal question- where did you learn PT?

I was one of the first 3 graduates of the Brigham Young University piano technology program.  I received my degree in 1968 and have been a full time technician ever since.  This is the same program that Steve Brady, Rick Baldesson, Des Wilson and many other fine technicians later graduated from.  I have always been grateful to have had such comprehensive training at the beginning of my career.  After graduation I was a partner in a shop in Palo Alto, CA where I was mentored by my partners Bob Burton and Ken Kadwell.  I was also able to do a lot of university work under Bob's supervision and eventually took over those contracts as he neared retirement. All of this led to me being  the technician for Foothill, DeAnza and San Jose City Colleges as well as San Jose State and Santa Clara Universities.  I was also able to tune for the San Francisco Symphony for 12 years.  All of these contracts provided another whole level of education and experience.

Jim


----- Original Message -----
From: Zoe Sandell<mailto:yiddishtangofever at shaw.ca>
To: pianotech at ptg.org<mailto:pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 8:38 AM
Subject: [pianotech] personal question- where did you learn PT?

As a current student of Piano Technology, trying to carve out my path of learning on Vancouver Island BC.... I wonder where different people have gained their knowledge.  If you would like to share your experience I would be thrilled... because there is so much knowledge and talent on this forum!!

Thanks
Zoe


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