<div>Matthew,</div> <div>    I took the course 05-06 and graduated with Highest honors. I took the tuning exams in Bozeman Montana with Randy at the Hands on training. Make sure when you email Randy that you put your student id number in the subject as the course tells you to. Randy receives hundreds or thousands of emails a day. You can phone him also. Whenever I phone him he picks up and I can speak to him about any issue I have. His course has changed my life. I have a degree in Music and BA in music ed. I have been a music teacher for 20 yrs. I love my work as a technician. Today I tuned a Steinway L and touched up the regulation (the piano had been played by Previn and Bernstein!!) , after lunch I tuned a Yamaha GH1 grand in a restaurant and sold them an annual service contract. (Randy's idea) Then on my way home I bought a nice Kohler & Campbell Console for $300. I have a buyer already for $1100.   Let's see I made over $600 today for 4 hours work......I'd say Randy's course is worth doing and Randy is a wealth of knowledge in the field. I average between $800 - 1200 month on the side working 3-4 hours a week. It didn't happen overnight and having a reputation in my area as a pianist and teacher helped but it can be done. Call Randy and join your PTG chapter. Seroe Michaud www.michaudspiano.com <BR><BR><B><I>Matthew Todd <toddpianoworks@yahoo.com></I></B> wrote:</div> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid"> <DIV>Since we are on the subject of the Potter course, can someone please tell me they have had better luck with him than I have.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I really have an honest desire to learn this trade, and I need to at least finish this course before I can think about getting apprenticed, but it seems that response time has been an issue of the school.  In fact, I have been waiting for my video tape to be returned to me containing tuning critiques and it has been three years.  That is where I have left off.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I want to give this another chance, and I just want to start from the beginning, and I have e-mailed Randy several times to ask about starting over, but I have not gotten a response.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>What to do?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Matthew<BR><BR><B><I>Doug Renz <doug@dougrenz.com></I></B> wrote:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid"> <META content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)" name=Generator> <STYLE> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </STYLE> <STYLE>  </STYLE> <DIV class=Section1> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">I am trying to sell my Randy Potter course for more than +20% off the retail, if anyone is interested, please email me privately at <A href="mailto:doug@dougrenz.com">doug@dougrenz.com</A> to discuss and make an offer.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">I would like to not break it up in part, but sell it as a whole to someone who is desiring to learn the trade. I highly recommend the course also.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><BR>Thanks, Doug<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV> <DIV style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #b5c4df 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none"> <DIV class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> Michelle Smith [mailto:michelle@smithpianoservice.com] <BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, August 02, 2007 5:33 PM<BR><B>To:</B> 'Pianotech List'<BR><B>Subject:</B> RE: Piano Training Question<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy">Thanks Paul.  I figured someone would chime in concerning the other schools.  I’m glad you did!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy">Michelle<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <HR align=center width="100%" SIZE=2> </SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>PAULREVENKOJONES<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, August 02, 2007 3:17 PM<BR><B>To:</B> Pianotech List<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: Piano Training Question</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">You might, Michelle, in the same breath, mention the Chicago School for Piano Technology <IMG id=_x0000_i1025 height=19 alt=:-) hspace=5 src="cid:1496573167000000@web52106.mail.re2.yahoo.com" width=19 border=0>. No self-interest involved. Geography might be an issue.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV></DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV></DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Paul<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV></DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV></DIV> <DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">"If you want to know the truth, stop having opinions" (Chinese fortune cookie)</SPAN></STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV></DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV></DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">In a message dated 08/02/07 14:21:05 Central Daylight Time, michelle@smithpianoservice.com writes:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN-TOP: 5pt; PADDING-LEFT: 4pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN-LEFT: 3.75pt; BORDER-LEFT: blue 1.5pt solid; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none"> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy">Evan, <o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy">I’ve also gone through the Potter course and attended the Bozeman class with Rob.  If you have the self discipline to get through all of the materials, you will have a good foundation from which to move forward.  Joining PTG is a must in my opinion.  <o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy">Your original e-mail also mentioned schools.  If you have the time and resources, you might consider the North Bennett Street School in Boston.  Check out their website at nbss.org.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy">Have a good one!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy">Michelle Smith<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy">Smith Piano Service<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy">Bastrop, Texas<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <HR align=center width="100%" SIZE=2> </SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Rob Mitchell<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, August 02, 2007 12:15 PM<BR><B>To:</B> 'Pianotech List'<BR><B>Subject:</B> RE: Piano Training Question</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Evan,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">I went through Randy Potter’s home study course last fall and I also attended his 1-week Advanced Training Seminar this last January in Bozeman, Montana.  I was an engineer by training and came at this as a career change opportunity with a modest musical background but no experience in piano tuning or repair.  <o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">I would give both of Randy’s courses a strong recommendation.  As with any home study course, you need to be diligent about working through the texts, videos and tests.  I think I averaged about 20 – 30 hours / week and it took me 5 months to finish the course.  If you can afford it, I’d encourage you to purchase the entire course at once (I think Randy still gives the option to purchase in installments).  I found it very helpful to have everything there from the beginning.  <o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Good luck,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoPlainText><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Rob<o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=MsoPlainText><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <div> <HR SIZE=1> Shape Yahoo! in your own image. <A href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48517/*http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7">Join our Network Research Panel today!</A> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR><BR><DIV><FONT face="comic sans ms" color=#0000ff size=4>Roe </FONT></DIV><p>  <hr size=1>Got a little couch potato? <br> Check out fun <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48248/*http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=summer+activities+for+kids&cs=bz">summer activities for kids.</a>