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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=Wimblees@AOL.COM =
href="mailto:Wimblees@AOL.COM">Wimblees@AOL.COM</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> July 23, 2002 6:08 =
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: no comp. was Re: =
Saying "No"
(was Convention is focused)</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 =
FAMILY="SANSSERIF">In a message dated 7/23/02 7:29:44 AM !!!First =
Boot!!!, <A
href="mailto:pianobuilders@olynet.com">pianobuilders@olynet.com</A> =
writes:
<BR><BR><BR></FONT><FONT lang=0 face=Arial color=#000000 =
size=2
FAMILY="SANSSERIF">Del <BR><BR>You make some very good points, and =
I'll make
my own observation later. But let me first interject a couple of =
comments
about the classes I have taught more than once. First, I think it is =
important
that classes be taught more than once. After all, there are thousands =
of
techs, but only a handful show up for a class. Not that everyone one =
should
come hear my words of wisdom, but they should have the opportunity to =
do so,
if they so desire. And the same goes for your classes. I have =
recommended your
classes to a lot of my friends. But if you only teach a class once, =
how can
they learn what I learned? </FONT></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 color=#000080 FAMILY="SANSSERIF">Your point is =
valid, up to a
point. But the class offerings are a drawing card (or not) for many =
technicians
as they consider whether or not they are going invest the time and money =
to
attend any given convention. If a class I give is a part of that draw =
for
someone once, I can hardly expect it to work twice for the same person.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 color=#000080 =
FAMILY="SANSSERIF"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 color=#000080 FAMILY="SANSSERIF">If I am asked =
to give the
same class twice, out of respect for the person or committee asking =
I will
certainly consider doing so, but with reluctance. Hopefully, I'm going =
to learn
something during the coming year. I believe I owe it to the organization =
and to
those brave and sturdy enough to sit through one or more of my =
presentations to
give them my best--each time, every time. Even if I am going to present =
"the
same class" a second time, the outline is going to be updated and =
revised to
correct any errors that may have crept in and to keep it as fresh and up =
to date
as I can make it. Just on the off chance someone does show up twice, I =
want to
make it worth their while. They will at least get a new =
outline.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000080></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000080>Each person sitting in front of me has =
invested a
certain amount of time and money to get to where we all are that day--I =
owe it
to that person to give them the best I have to give.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000080></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000080 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial =
color=#000000 size=2
FAMILY="SANSSERIF">Second, I have never taught a full class at an =
Annual
convention. (I have taught about 5 or 6 mini tech classes). I am still =
waiting
for an invitation. All the classes I have ever taught have been at =
various
regional and one day seminars around the country, or at my chapter =
meeting.
Third, I have developed about 12 different classes over the years, and =
I am
working on another o! ne. There are some teachers out there who have =
one, or
maybe two classes, that they repeat over and over again. There is =
nothing
wrong with that, if the class is really good. But some of them are =
not.
</FONT></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial =
color=#000000 size=2
FAMILY="SANSSERIF"><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3>That does make
a difference. When I say I don't like doing the same class twice, I =
should be
specific and say I don't like doing it twice at the same venue. I have =
used the
same outline at different events--though I doubt the presentation was =
really the
same. As much as I try not to, I do tend to wander a
bit.</FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000080></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000080>Even so, if the second presentation takes =
place a year
later, I'll cheat--the outline is going to be updated.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000080></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial =
color=#000000 size=2
FAMILY="SANSSERIF"><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000080 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV>But getting back to the idea that we've reached a plateau. I =
think what
is offered at conventions goes in cycles. Some years there are some =
very good
new classes offered. Some years it seems like a repeat of the previous =
year. I
don't know if it has to do with the makeup of the institute committee, =
or just
who is available and wants to teach. But as I mentioned before, I know =
there
are many more willing to teach each year than there are openings. =
Perhaps the
institute committee should repeat a fewer percentage of "old =
standby's," and
offer a larger percentage of new instructors, even if the subject =
matter is
the same. After all, how many new ways are there to tune a piano, or =
notch a
bridge. But a different approach, on the same topic, presented by a =
different
instructor, might be interesting. </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>The decisions =
about what
classes to present and who should give them are for the Institute =
Committee and
I'm sure it does change with the makeup of that committee. As well it
should--that is one of the benefits of an evolving committee. Still, the =
Institute Committee operates at the discretion of the (ok, Joe, the =
Executive)
Board. I happen believe the direction the Institute Committee in going =
in needs
just a tiny bit of tweaking. I also thing it need more resources with =
which to
do its work. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>But, as you =
say, the class
schedule depends in some part on just who is available and <EM>who wants =
to
teach</EM>. Technicians who really throw themselves into the art and =
craft of
instructing and then begin to feel themselves exploited tend to simply =
withdraw
and go on to other things. Just when they have gained enough experience =
to begin
addressing more interesting and advanced topics we lose them. But, we =
say,
that's ok, there are plenty more coming along to take their places. =
We pay
a price in missed abilities, knowledge and wisdom, however.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>Maybe there are =
those who can
pop on the scene full-blown and ready to take on the world. I certainly =
can't
and didn't. I'd not have dreamed of presenting the kind of class I now =
do 20, or
even 10, years ago. As to whether I'm doing them well now is best left =
for
others judge, but, trust me! they are a lot better now than they were 10 =
or 20
years ago. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>And this goes =
back to my
original point. For most, it takes time to work up to the point where =
one can
cogently present advanced and complex topics. If we don't take some of =
the
financial burden off of those who doing quite a lot of work on our =
behalf,
pretty soon they will stop doing it and go on to other things where the =
reward
is greater. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>If a =
enough
classes are offered (or in the case of Lew's--just the one was =
enough) that
will benefit me enough to get me to a convention, I should be willing to =
pay
enough to at least compensate the instructors for the out of pocket =
expenses it
took to get them there and maintain them while they are at the =
convention
site.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV><FONT
face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3></FONT>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000080 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV>As long as there is going to be a piano tuning profession, new =
people are
going to come into the industry. Even though guys like you and me have =
just
about seen it all, we shouldn't forget there are new people who show =
up every
year. The first time you went to a class, might have been a fifth time =
that
instructor presented it. But it was new to you, and so it was =
important.
Unfortunately, because of this, the same subject is going to be =
presented year
after year, and there are going to be fewer and fewer classes for us =
to
attend. But as I have expressed before, the convention has become more =
of a
social event for me than an educational one. But I learn enough new =
things to
make the experience worth while. </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>As I said, if =
the
organization makes a conscious and informed decision to perpetually =
cater the
convention to the beginner, then so be it. I'll stop fussing and find =
other ways
to spend that week in June or July (and the many hours it takes me to =
prepare).
Many others have already done so and I'm sure I can come up with =
something.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>I don't think =
this direction
will be a particularly good thing for either PTG or for the convention, =
however.
It waters down the content of the convention and makes it less =
attractive to
those who have been around a few years. Should we be putting their needs =
behind
those of the beginner? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>I'm of the =
opinion that there
are other avenues of basic instruction available to the beginner that =
are more
appropriate. One is the chapter meeting. Another is the regional =
seminar. That
load does not have to fall--should not fall--on the annual
convention.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></FONT><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000080 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV>As I said earlier, if the only reason you come to a convention is =
to
teach, then perhaps you should reexamine your motive for going. But I =
know you
come also for the socialization, and to learn a few new things. And if =
you do
teach on top of that, I know I, and a lot of other people, will learn =
a lot
just sitting in your class listening to your word of wisdom. =
</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>Yes, Wim, these =
days my
primary reason for attending the annual convention is to teach. If I am =
asked to
teach at a convention, I will do my best to accommodate. Are you =
saying I
shouldn't? In that case I'll pretty much have to drop the annual =
convention from
my calendar. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3></FONT><FONT
face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>It is becoming =
increasingly
rare to find enough classes of interest that would entice me to spend =
the time
and money to attend otherwise. Besides, by your plan I should be able to =
show up
about once every five years or so and pick up most everything that is =
going on.
Do you really believe this is an acceptable scenario for our =
conventions?
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>Or, should I be =
apologizing
for having already attended a dozen or so of each of the standard =
classes on
just about all of the standard subjects presented by just about all of =
the
standard instructors. It's no big thing, really, I've just survived a =
while and
I've long had an appetite for learning. I still do, but enough is =
enough,
already. Nowadays I just don't get all that excited about attending yet =
another
standard class on any of the standard subjects. Regardless of how great =
the new
instructor is. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>We talk about =
there being
balance at the national convention. I happen to think the balance is off =
just a
bit and is tipped overly much toward the entry-level. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>One reason for =
that--it's not
the only one, I'm sure, but it is a reason--is that we tend to lose the
instructors capable of pulling the organization along to higher levels. =
We use
them, burn them out and discard them. We justify it all by saying =
telling them
that 'they' should be willing to 'give' to the 'us,' the organization. =
'They'
should not demand compensation, 'they' should be willing to spend their =
time and
money freely on our benefit. Why, if we were to 'pay' them, the =
registration
fees will be too high. Someone might not be able to afford it. =
(Incidentally,
I've not yet advocated 'paying' any instructor. This is a word others =
have used
to confuse the issue.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>Well, =
eventually 'they'
simply give up and stop coming. And the takers in our midst can rant and =
rave
all they want. They can justify their lofty positions forever. But none =
of that
rhetoric going to bring back someone who simply got disgusted with it =
all and
gave up and stayed home.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>As may be, I'd =
like to see us
work at presenting enough challenging and exciting stuff at our =
conventions to
draw out some of those we haven't seen for a while. And I realize some =
efforts
are being made to do just this. It will not going to be easy--probably
impossible--without some policy changes, however. And it may not be =
cheap and
we're basically cheap folks.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3><FONT =
face="Lucida Sans"
color=#000080 size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>Wim, I realize =
we differ on
this. I place little monetary value on the social aspects of the =
convention.
Sure, when I'm there it's really great to see friends in the business =
from time
to time. But PTG conventions are not my idea of either a social life or =
a
vacation. They are part of my business life. I doubt I will ever attend =
a PTG
convention as a purely social function. </FONT><FONT face="Lucida =
Sans"
color=#000080 size=3>As such, they are a business expense and I have =
to justify
them (at least partially) as a business activity. That does not mean =
I have
to make money on my participation, but I would prefer that since my =
participation is primarily for the benefit of others, it not =
cost me
overly much. </FONT> </FONT></FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000080 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV>Take care, my friend. One of these we're going to figure it all =
out.
</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 size=3>Probably. About =
ten years
after (to most everyone's great relief) I'm dead and buried sounds about =
right.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3>Regards,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080 =
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#000080
size=3>Del</FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>