<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"> <html> <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF">   Farrell wrote: <blockquote TYPE=CITE> "Oh come on...  a "world class rebuilder"  can pass the test... sheeshh you'd think we were referring to the bar exam or something..... " Not if he/she doesn't tune by ear...... Terry... the tuning exam is plenty easy... it just isnt that hard... ear wise or not... If you cant manage that level of tuning you certainly shouldnt be taking money for tuning. (perhaps exception under an apprenticeship program where all the cards are on the table). As for the rebuilder argument you and others insist on.... I have no problem with them remaining associates... I never said anything to the contrary...I just said if you cant pass the exam you should not be taking money for working on pianos.... I didnt think it was neccessary to be soooooooo carefull as to have used the word "tune" instead of "work" in that regard. Besides... this is really a side issue that has more to do with how the PTG defines itself as a whole then the specifics of Davids origional posting.. and its a tough nut as well....In anycase..... any world class rebuilder would have no trouble at all aquiring the level of skill necessary to achieve a passing grade on the tuning part of the test.... so either way...      "Secondly we are talking about full service field techs..people who deal with all sides of basic service issues.."  Are we? I thought we were talking about Associate members of PTG. Not all are full service field techs. If we restrict our topic to full service field techs, I would absolutely agree that achieving the skills necessary to pass the RPT exams should be pursued by all doing this kind of work. (I am doing that kind of work, and I am pursuing all those skills). Although, I do not believe one should need to achieve RPT status before charging for his/her services. Yes we were... (you responded to my response to davids origional post so I fail to see how we could be talking about something else....grin.) So we aggree more the you origionally suspected after all.. :) as I said.  As for your last comment here... if you new how bad a  tuning you have to execute to fail... I think you would think you twice about. Again.. the test is too easy. "How would you feel if you had just paid 150 dollars to attend a lecture from somebody, and then found out a couple days later (by what ever fashion) the guy had absolutely no idea what he was talking about?"  I think you will find that instructors at PTG lectures are very knowledgeable in their respective area of expertise - and do not stray far from that area...... Grin.... and this (and what got snipped) answered my question ???? I have been to conventions and lectures arranged by the PTG... I know they are good folks... that has nothing to do with what I asked.... now I KNOW you arent trying to tell my you'd feel good about being ripped off... :)   Richard, I write all the above with a constructive spirit - just trying to discuss and understand. I trust you are there with me. I have no doubt we will hash it all out in the end and still end up buddies.....I like reading your thoughts and following your interests.... and its great fun bouncing ideas and meanings (even when we dissagree) off each other.   Terry Farrell Piano Tuning & Service Tampa, Florida <a href="mailto:mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com">mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com</a></blockquote> BTW.... what browser are you useing... its hard to seperate my replys from your comments.. -- Richard Brekne RPT, N.P.T.F. Bergen, Norway <A HREF="mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no">mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no</A>   </body> </html>