<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <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:st2="urn:schemas:contacts" = 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=iso-8859-1"> <meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <link rel=File-List href="cid:filelist.xml@01C3388F.9FE83560"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas:contacts" = name="middlename"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="time"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PostalCode"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="Street"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas:contacts" name="Sn"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas:contacts" = name="GivenName"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="phone"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="address"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="date"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PersonName"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue = style='tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=Section1> Hey, I just bought a Lauter to practice repair and hopefully to tune just like = this.<o:p></o:p> Perhaps the PTG would like to rent it out for exams. = It’s BYO Band-Aids though, and don’t get blood on the = dog!<o:p></o:p> Tony when is <st1:City><st1:place>Adelaide= </st1:place></st1:City> = going to get a footy team?<o:p></o:p> H<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <st2:GivenName>Harry</st2:GivenName> & = <st1:PersonName><st2:GivenName>Marilyn</st2:GivenName> <st2:Sn>Pickett</st2:Sn></st1:PersonNa= me><o:p></o:p> <st1:Street><st1:address>1800 = Fairview Church Road</st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p></f= ont> <st1:place><st1:City>Riner</st1:City>, <st1:State>VA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode>24149</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><o:p></o:p> TEL: <st1:phone = phonenumber="5403820191">540-382-0191</st1:phone><o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> -----Original Message----- From: = pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of <st2:GivenName>Alan</st2:GivenName> Sent: = <st1:date Month="6" Day="22" Year="2003">Sunday, June 22, 2003</st1:date> <st1:time Hour="0" Minute="51">12:51 AM</st1:time> To: 'Pianotech' Subject: OT More = Realistic Test was RE: tuning exam in = <st1:country-region><st1:place>U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> <o:p> </o:p> I think it would = be a much more realistic test—with regard to the reality of the = tuner’s life--if we were required to tune a 1940’s-1960’s spinet = (Betsy Ross, Winter & Sons, P.A. Stark or comparable). No Acusonics! = Wurlitzers may suffice if they’ve been stored in a garage with broken windows in = <st1:State><st1:place>Louisiana</st1:place></st1:State> or <st1:State><st1:place>Saskatchewan</spa= n></st1:place></st1:State> for at least twenty years.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>= The passing = requirement would be that a panel of amateur musicians can recognize the sound of it = as something at least sort of a little bit kind of musical in nature. If = more than two panel members cry, moan, or run from the room, you flunk. = <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>= And the selected = piano would have to be in reasonable condition, defined as follows (additional = rules interspersed): <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>= <![if !supportLists]>1.       = <![endif]>No more than six missing strings; no more than two of which = may be single bass strings. No more than five bichord sets may have strings = that match in diameter, length of wrap, and degree of = rustiness.<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>2.       = <![endif]>Some felt must be visible between hammer molding and strings = on at least 1/3” of the treble notes. No more than 8 felts popped off = bass hammers. Tenor hammer grooves less than �” deep, on = average.<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>3.       = <![endif]>When played, bass strings must make some sort of noise that sustains for at least 0.27 seconds. If the hammer thwack reverberates = this long, it must not be louder than the string = noise.<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>4.       = <![endif]>At least one pedal must move up and down when pressed = (sideways movement does not count but is otherwise = allowed).<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>5.       = <![endif]>Broken key tops with sharp edges are allowed. The = prospective RPT should have a supply of Band-Aids on hand or on foot. Band-Aids may NOT = be used to repair or muffle any piano part!<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>6.       = <![endif]>When pressed, at least 37 keys must come back up within two = minutes WITHOUT excessive help from the player. Thumping the piano with a fist = is permitted; screw drivers and pry bars are = not.<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>7.       = <![endif]>Bench must not completely collapse when sat upon by persons = with average-sized, average weight buttocks.<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>8.       = <![endif]>Squeaks, rattles, and woody thunks must not be louder, on = average, than played notes.<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>9.       = <![endif]>If the tuner is unable to open the lid, remove the front = panel, or otherwise gain access to the tuning pins within three hours, he or she = is permitted to ask the piano owner how the hell previous tuners did = it.<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>10.   = <![endif]>If A4 is more than 153 cents sharp or flat, the tuner is = allowed an extra ten minutes for a pitch adjustment but he must not charge the = piano owner any extra for this.<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>11.   = <![endif]><st2:Sn>Bridges</st2:Sn> must still be = stuck to something inside the piano.<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>12.   = <![endif]>There must be no more than one inch of plastic elbow dust = and mouse poop (combined) on the bottom board. Measurements will be taken in = eleven locations and averaged. Dead spiders may be removed before measuring; = leave the live ones alone. Local chapters may decide if snake skins and/or snakes = may be removed or must be measured. Note: If the bottom board is missing or all = debris has sifted through a humongous crack in the board, this requirement may = be waved.<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>13.   = <![endif]>If the pinblock is in average condition or worse, the tuner = is allowed an extra twenty minutes of tuning time and may use up to three = liquids, four sheets of sandpaper, and a 2� lb. sledge hammer to fine tune the instrument. Note: If the tuner accidentally (or purposefully) affixes = any protruding part of his or her body to any part of the piano or to any = tool, he or she must continue with the test as best he or she can—using his = or her other hand or doing it with his or her forehead “resting” on = the bench, for example. The tuner is discouraged from holding tools with his = or her teeth as this is considered undignified. If the tuner accidentally (or purposefully) affixes his or her teeth to any part of the piano, he or = she is immediately disqualified and all observers will leave the room so the = tuner can work out his or her problem.<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>14.   = <![endif]>Finally, there will be no effort made to = “de-tune” the piano prior to the test as this process, however random or planned, = would almost certainly make the piano sound = better.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>= Faked medical = emergencies will not stop the test from proceeding!� If there appears to be actual loss of consciousness AND the skin = assumes a deep blue color, the committee chairman may ask the judging panel to “hurry it along,” just in case.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>= Bribes are a = private matter. It would be of questionable taste to discuss financial = arrangements or flash any cash in front of the whole group. Personal checks will not be accepted. For your convenience, there will be credit card terminals in = the back of the room on the table next to where the Grief Counselors and = uninvited street bums are sitting. (The counselors will have special name tags, = the bums will have ordinary name tags, just like = yours.)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>= And—this = is important—during the test evaluation, the tuner (and any possible accomplices) are strictly forbidden from humming, whacking a chair leg = with a spoon, or in any other manner trying to simulate (or cover up) sounds = coming from the alleged piano.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>= After all, we = have our standards.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>= <div> <st1:PersonName><st2:GivenName>Alan</st2:GivenName> <st2:middlename>R.</st2:middlename> <st2:Sn>Barnard</st2:Sn></st1:PersonName><o:p></o:p> <st1:place><st1:City>Salem</st1:City>, <st1:State>MO</st1:State></st1:place><o:p= ></o:p> </div> -----Original = Message----- From: = pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of <st1:PersonName><st2:GivenName>Dave</st2:Giv= enName> = <st2:Sn>Nereson</st2:= Sn></st1:PersonName> Sent: = <st1:date Month="6" Day="21" Year="2003">Saturday, June 21, = 2003</st1:date> <st1:time Hour="22" Minute="5">10:05 PM</st1:time> To: = <st2:GivenName>Pianotech</st= 2:GivenName> Subject: Re: tuning exam = in <st1:country-region><st1:place>U.S.</st1:pla= ce></st1:country-region><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div>  <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: <a = href="mailto:alanforsyth@fortune4.fsnet.co.uk" title="alanforsyth@fortune4.fsnet.co.uk">Alan Forsyth</a> = <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> To:<= /font> <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org" = title="pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech</a> <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Sent:</span= > <st1:date Month="6" Day="20" Year="2003">Friday, June 20, = 2003</st1:date> <st1:time Hour="13" Minute="49">1:49 PM</st1:time><o:p></o:p></p= > </div> <div> Subject:</s= pan> Tuning narrow and wide<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> <st1:PersonName><st2:GivenName>Tony</st2:GivenName> <st2:Sn>Caught</st2:Sn></st1:PersonName>, = <st1:City><st1:place>Adelaide</st1:place></st1:City> <st1:country-region><st1:place>Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>= wrote; >>>"In = <st1:country-region><st1:place>America</st1:place></st1:country-region> when you sit for a tuning exam, can you do the exam on a Yamaha U1 piano ?....">>> Probably the easiest piano in the world to tune aurally! No, our Piano Technicians Guild tuning exam requires a 6-foot or larger = grand in reasonably good condition.  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div>     = --<st1:PersonName><st2:GivenName>David</st2:GivenName> <st2:Sn>Nereson</st2:Sn></st1:PersonName>, RPT <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> </div> </blockquote> </div> </body> </html> --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.489 / Virus Database: 288 - Release Date: 6/10/2003 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.489 / Virus Database: 288 - Release Date: 6/10/2003