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

[David Ilvedson]

I didn't know who started Pianotech...good to know, even though I didn't know Jack Reeves.   I guess we can also blame Jack for Pianotech...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Jim Busby" <jim_busby at byu.edu>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 1/19/2010 5:38:41 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] personal question- where did you learn PT?


>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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