<HTML><HEAD> <META charset=US-ASCII http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=US-ASCII"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1106" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"> <DIV> <DIV>Greetings, </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>    I am in business for about 3 1/2 years. For what this is worth, througout this time at various times, I have been called to voice some pianos for local celebreties and usually the comp[laint is the same; the piano sounds too shrill or hard.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>   I merely "sugar coat" the hammers. This means very lightly neeedling the area very close to the strike point and a bit right on the strike point. Works for them... and for me. However I am planning on learning more as  I am more able to attend PTG conventions.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Julia Gottshall</DIV> <DIV>REading, PA </DIV> <DIV>In a message dated 2/5/2007 4:25:07 PM Eastern Standard Time, edmiller3@hotmail.com writes:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><FONT face=Arial>Hello,<BR><BR>I'm looking for some voicing advice (mentoring). I'm two years into learning <BR>the piano trade and have learned a great deal already in the realm of <BR>tuning, regulating and repairing (though I know there's MUCH more to learn). <BR>I've found that most skills are pretty straight foward, they just take a <BR>little doing to get the hang of.<BR><BR>Voicing, on the other hand, seems to me to be the most nuanced skill of them <BR>all. I'm a bit intimidated by it. There are so many techniques that I have <BR>read about. I'm sure most of them have merit, but none of them mean anything <BR>if the technician has not developed a fine ear for tonal quality and <BR>characterstics, and the subtle changes that can be achieved by manipulating <BR>the hammers.<BR><BR>I'm intereted in hearing any thoughts on how one develops this skill. I'm <BR>less interested in specific techniques. I'm more looking for insight into <BR>the process of learning to be a quality voicing technician. Possibly some <BR>some stories from your own voicing learning process.<BR><BR>Any thoughts would be appreciated.<BR>Thanks,<BR>Ed</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV> <DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>