[pianotech] 4ths 5ths

[Bill Fritz]

Wim, you missed #4...   an aural tuner who studied and practiced hard for the RPT Tuning test...   barely passed it...   but when they start trying to do the real work of 3, 4, or 5 tunings a day, 4-5 days a week, they can't come close to a temperament or tuning which would still pass the RPT test for most of those piano customers.

But the PTG still promotes those #4 RPT's as "skilled" tuners, "passing rigorous tests".

Somehow, something is missing between the real world & PTG's Mission statement: 
"The mission of the Piano Technicians Guild is to promote the highest possible standards of piano service by providing members with opportunities for professional development, by recognizing technical competence through examinations and by advancing the interests of its members."

Bill




From:
tnrwim at aol.com

To:
pianotech at ptg.org

Subject:
Re: [pianotech] 4ths 5ths

Date:
Wed, 2 Feb 2011 18:49:51 -0500 (EST)


Allow me to make one final comment on this thread. 
 
There are three different levels of tuners. There are those who tune aurally, but are not able to pass the tuning exam, which requires very aural basic tuning skills. These tuners are convinced that the tuning test is flawed, but are happy to tune at their level. They make enough money from their customers, and do not see need to try to improve their tuning skills. 
 
Then there are those tuners who use an ETD, and are satisfied with the results they get. They do not see a need to try to improve on it. They think the tuning exam is not necessary because they know, in their heart, that the ETD gives them the best tuning that can possibly be gotten out of the piano. Most of their customers are happy with their results, and they do not see the need to try to improve on their tuning skills.
 
And then there are those tuners who are able to listen to the results of an ETD, and not only can hear the minor flaws it produces, but can do something about it. These are the tuners who are willing to spend the extra time and effort to correct the minor flaws, and do the best tuning that instrument can produce, not necessarily because their customer demands it, but for their own satisfaction, which is why they became an RPT in the first place. 
 
Wim.

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