[pianotech] Are we fading?

[Paul T Williams]

Hi Ed,

I think our profession, on the big scale, is slowly dwindling like the 
piano industry as a whole. My chapter here in Nebraska, is probably about 
an average of my age (nearing 50) or better (at least those who come to 
the meetings), but we have two budding students who are charged up about 
the future possibilities! 

We need to recruit more young folks who want to continue in our footsteps. 
I, for one, am going to teach my 13 year old to rebush keys this summer so 
he can make some cash., but he hasn't shown interest in doing what I do 
for a career.

I wish I had the time to properly train some new blood as I have 110 
pianos to care for, so lots to learn from. The university is always 
willing to get free "help", at least on the upright practice room pianos. 
The down side for me is that I have to immediately go and correct all the 
mistakes :>( as they learn;  so the 2 sided coin....heads I win, tails you 
lose. or the other way around, I should say.

We only offer a one semester class on the basics of piano mechanics in 
which I have an average of 3 or 4 students just looking for a small bit of 
education to learn of the instruments they play. Most of my students are 
not even piano majors, but filling up an elective as it's a cool class. 
They're always very enthusiastic in class, but at the end of the semester, 
that's all they do.  Sadly, and I think it should be manditory, that all 
piano majors take my class; but, then again, I don't have the time to 
teach that many students.

It may be a problem in the next 10 years, however, the income 
possibilities may be huge for the new blood entering this field.

Just my 2 cents.

Paul




 



From:
Ed Foote <a440a at aol.com>
To:
pianotech at ptg.org
Date:
07/07/2010 03:31 PM
Subject:
[pianotech] Are we fading?



Greetings,
   In this months Journal, Clarence Zeches mentions that the average age 
of "our technicians", (I take that to mean Guild membership), is in the 
50's or later.  Judging by the gray hair and wrinkles at the conventions, 
(mine too!) I will not dispute that.  This was in response to the question 
of "Where are the techs going to be coming from in 20 or 30 years"? 
   My personal observation is that the average age of tuners is much 
lower, but that includes the non-Guild tuners, many of whom have an ETD, 
hammer, mute and maybe a screwdriver but no more. It is easy money, and 
many of the bread and butter tunings are being done, (poorly), by 
part-timers. 
    Is the Guild slowly representing fewer and fewer of the people that 
are actually doing the tuning out there? 
Ed Foote RPT
http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
 

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