<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)"> <style>  </style> </head> <body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue> <div class=Section1> The “upgrading” problem could be solved I = think, if there were a third category of members, that of Apprentice--- = apropos of an organization calling itself a guild.   A piano tuner technician, I have had 12 years full = time self employed experience after 6 years of apprenticeship and working for = others in a major metropolitan area. I wasn’t a Guild member because = the people I studied under were not. They being over 60 in 1972, preceded the = Guild. But I knew about the Guild and substituted tuning for 2 Guild members = and they for me on occasion. But business was so good I had no time for = meetings or the convention even. One member offered to let me read his Journals and I = didn’t even take advantage of that. (but I should have). After I moved to the country and became = “semi retired” and 8 years later I found <a = href="http://www.ptg.org/">www.ptg.org</a> on line and finally decided to join which makes you Associate with = the opportunity/option to upgrade to RPT   But so far the category of “associate” is = fine for me as it includes a subscription to the Journal, the membership = rates for the conventions and access to ptg on line services. From the = conventions and internet I know more than a few technicians and “members of allied = trades” who are chose to remain “associate” mainly because they = specialize in tuning only or rebuilding (and don’t tune), design and/or = manufacture pianos (but don’t tune) and one retired professor who as a = teenager spent a summer with a piano tuner thinking he might pursue that career. = Good thing he got his PhD in music and ended up in academia. But good for = us as he is a major supporter and contributor to his local chapter. =   For me local chapter = involvement has always been out of the question. Back in the 80’s I was = simply to busy and now it is nearly 300 miles round trip to meet with 3 or 4 = techs that I could do by online conference if that was available. =   Now if there were a category of = “apprentice” then the debate about upgrading would be relegated there. Then the = “apprentice” would have the encouragement and resources of both RPTs and Associates = to upgrade to RPT.   I also believe RPT should be eligible for = certificates they could add to their resumes like aural tuning, machine tuning, = “Certified Rebuilder” a certificate indicating playing level, or a level = above RPT called Master. The name Guild begs this IMHO.   Richard Moody Ass. = oops associate…… <a href="http://www.pnotec.com/">www.pnotec.com</a> =   "One doesn't discover = new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long = time." André Gide (1859-1951); = French writer.             <div style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in = 0in 4.0pt'> -----Original Message----- From: = pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of RON MAY, RPT Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 2:11 PM To: Pianotech List Subject: Re: = Upgrading.....JUST DO IT!   <div>  Marshall and all other = Associates. </div> <div>   </div> <div> If you have had any training in tuning, get in touch = with several of the RPT's in your group. Have them check your tuning. Don't = be afraid--they are there to help not hurt.  If they think you are = anywhere ready for the tuning exam, TAKE IT. It will be the best (I think it = is ) $90 bucks you have or will spend. If you flunk the test like many do you = will still walk away from the test knowing all of your weak spots and know = what to work on. </div> <div>   </div> <div> Ron May. RPT </div> <blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black = 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt; margin-left:4.0pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>= <div> ----- Original Message ----- </div> <div style='font-color:black'> From:</span= > <a href="mailto:pianotune05@comcast.net" = title="pianotune05@comcast.net">pianotune05</a> </div> <div> To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org" title="pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech = List</a> </div> <div> Sent: = Saturday, February 11, 2006 7:53 AM </div> <div> Subject: Re: = Upgrading..... </div> <div>   </div> <div> I've heard quite a bit about upgrading.  I'm = going to m first meeting on the 21st of the month, and I can hardly wait. :)  = My question to you guys is this, how long should an associate wait until = they become an RPT?  Perhaps there's a comfort zone factor involved with = some associates, fear of taking the test etc.  I'm just guessing of = course, but perhaps there's a fear a failure.  I know I personally struggle = with this, but at the same time, I'm determined to become an RPT.  = </div> <div> Marshall </div> <blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black = 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt; margin-left:4.0pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>= <div> ----- Original Message ----- </div> <div style='font-color:black'> From:</span= > <a href="mailto:john@formsmapiano.com" = title="john@formsmapiano.com">John Formsma</a> </div> <div> To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org" title="pianotech@ptg.org">'Pianotech = List'</a> </div> <div> Sent: = Saturday, February 11, 2006 12:06 AM </div> <div> Subject: RE: = Upgrading..... </div> <div>   </div> Ron,     Yes, yes – there must be a = way to promote excellence. And, “Craftsman” and = “Certified” are much more descriptive. I prefer either of those to “Registered.”   Isn’t it a problem that PTG = comes up with the terms, but it’s we who have to do the educating? =   John Formsma   <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of RON MAY, RPT Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 10:27 = PM To: Pianotech List Subject: Re: = Upgrading..... </div>   <div> Hi People </div> <div>   </div> <div> Until the day comes that the public  becomes = educated,  aware and demands expertise and professional performance or heaven = forbid the government becomes involved and demands licensing such as that = demanded for other  trades such as plumbers and electricians, we are just = lighting a fire under and empty skillet. Now that anyone can show themselves as a = member of PTG and we have come up with "Registered" members, which no = one has the slightest idea about instead off craftsman ratings or some other descriptive rating there is only one motivation and that is from = within.. Unfortunately not very many seem to have this = motivation or pride in their work and profession. Whether we are RPTs, Certified Tuner Technicians,or craftsman, getting the message out is up to we individual technicians and most of us are busy and have become very complacent = about the problem. To me Certified says a whole lot more than registered. I'm "Registered" to vote in Florida and we = all know what that means but obviously some don't know how to do = it. </div> <div>   </div> <div> We as PTG just continue to shoot ourselves in = the foot on this issue. Something needs to be done and it needs to become a = priority. </div> <div>   </div> <div> Ron May  </div> <blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black = 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt; margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'= > <div> </div> </blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote> </div> </div> </body> </html>