<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" = xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" = xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" = xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" = xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" = name="State"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue> <div class=Section1> <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Marshall</st1:place></st1:City>,<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> It’s important to think = through the “why it works” and not just be content with the “that it = works.” In other words, you have to understand why you’re doing something = instead of just because someone said that’s the way to do it. When you start thinking this way, things make more sense and you eventually become less dependent on others.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Put a small rubber mute in between = the first and second strings or use two large mutes – one beside the string = and another against the strut. The first way you’ll be tuning the = string closest to the strut, and the second way you’ll be tuning the = middle string.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Speed will come. I remember very = well when I was in the same situation. There are several things you are working on = all at once, and it takes time for them to come together. Keep practicing, but remember to practice correctly. Otherwise, you’ll pick up bad = habits.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> John = Formsma<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org = [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of = pianotune05 Sent: Saturday, February = 11, 2006 9:12 PM To: Pianotech List Subject: Re: = Upgrading.....<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> Hi John,<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Sorry I gave you the impression that one stops = at RPt and doesn't keep learning.  I should have mentioned that more = clearly in the  e-mail ,but I was in a hurry as usual to get moving with the day.  I agree, never stoplearning. I told someone that the other day.  I said that this is a great trade, always more t o = learn.  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> When you say find what works, are you = referring to, strip muting one section then using mutes in another verses strip muting = the entire piano for example?  I do different things especially when I = get to a point on a grant where no mute will stay because the space is so great between the last string and the strut. I haven't figured out what to do = on that one yet.  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> My biggest challange and headahce frustration aggrevation is speed.  I just cannot seem to speed up.  I mean = how many pianos do I have to tune before I get past 3hours. does a little = light and buzzer go off when I reach the 2 hour mark? :) = <o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Well anyway, sorry I gave you the impression = that I'm going to stop at RPT an d sit back and say, ah, I'm done learning.  = No, I'm not done, and that's why I asked so many questions on here and got a = few upset with me. Oh well, I guess there's nothing I can do but keep moving = on and learning. <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Marshall</st1:= place></st1:City><o:p></o:p> </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> ----- Original Message ----- = <o:p></o:p> </div> <div style='font-color:black'> From:</span= > <a href="mailto:john@formsmapiano.com" = title="john@formsmapiano.com">John Formsma</a> <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> To:<= /font> <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org" title="pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech = List</a> <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Sent:</span= > Saturday, February 11, 2006 9:46 AM<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Subject:</s= pan> Re: Upgrading.....<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Marshall</st= 1:place></st1:City>, First, it's important to recognize that RPT is not the = "prize." It's a recognition of proficiency, not a recognition of maximum ability. We = should go on from RPT to higher levels, both in tuning and other areas of piano technology. Second, PTG has a number of resources available to help a person attain = the RPT goal. You've heard the saying, "practice makes perfect." That is = only true if you practice correctly. :-) So, I'd recommend using the old noodle to = think through these things rather than doing them a certain way only because = "so and so piano guru" says that's the way. Find what works, and = understand why it = works. (I'm still working on that, by the way.) John Formsma pianotune05 wrote: <o:p></o:p> <div> <meta http-equiv=Context-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> Here's another question. What can one do in order to start preparing for = the PTG exam even though it's premature or early?, ie. tune a zillion = pianos, shape a gillion hammers, rebulid a loughhead piano to make it sound better. = :)  what can an assocate do, and one like myself who is a pre associate = member, I haven't been to my first meeting yet, do in order to keep RPT as the goal the = prize as far as piano tuning is concerned in their mind?  = <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Marshall</st1:place></st1:City> <o:p></o:p> </div> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <div> ----- Original Message ----- = <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> From: <a href="mailto:john@formsmapiano.com" = title="john@formsmapiano.com">John Formsma</a> <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org" title="pianotech@ptg.org">'Pianotech = List'</a> <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Sent: = Saturday, February 11, 2006 12:06 AM<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Subject: = RE: Upgrading.....<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> Ron, <o:p></o:p>   <o:p></o:p> I was just about to send what I wrote to Dean when your post hit my inbox. = You have said it so well that it totally eclipsed mine so I’m not = sending it now. J <o:p></o:p>   <o:p></o:p> 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.” = <o:p></o:p>   <o:p></o:p> Isn’t it a problem that PTG comes up with the terms, but it’s we who = have to do the educating? We don’t have much time for that. Is there a way = PTG could educate the piano playing populace? I’m thinking, wow, that would = be hard. The first step could be beginning at the university and piano = teaching guilds, and hopefully it would filter down after a while. But before = that, you would have to demonstrate that PTG people are generally more skilled. (There will always be exceptions, = of course.) I don’t think you can do that as it is currently set up = unless you get rid of the Associate status. Wow, big situation when you start = to think about it. <o:p></o:p>   <o:p></o:p> BTW, How many different places are you registered to vote in <st1:State = w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:State> ? <g> = <o:p></o:p>   <o:p></o:p> John Formsma <o:p></o:p>   <o:p></o:p> <div> From: <a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org">pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a> = [<a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org">mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.or= g</a>] On Behalf Of RON MAY, RPT Sent: Friday, February = 10, 2006 10:27 PM To: Pianotech List Subject: Re: = Upgrading..... <o:p></o:p> </div>   <o:p></o:p> <div> Hi People <o:p></o:p> </div> <div>   <o:p></o:p> </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 <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place = w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:State> and we all know what that means but obviously some don't know how to do = it. <o:p></o:p> </div> <div>   <o:p></o:p> </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. = <o:p></o:p> </div> <div>   <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Ron May   <o:p></o:p> </div> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <div> ----- Original Message ----- <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> From: <a href="mailto:avery1@houston.rr.com" = title="avery1@houston.rr.com">Avery</a> <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org" title="pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech = List</a> <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Sent: Friday, February 10, = 2006 4:37 PM <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Subject: Re: Upgrading..... = <o:p></o:p> </div> <div>   <o:p></o:p> </div> This subject HAS been on ptg-L. For DAYS!!!!!!!!!! Weeks? :-( Avery <o:p></o:p> </blockquote> </div> </blockquote> </blockquote> </div> </body> </html>