<html> <body> Brad, I agree on taking the Randy Potter correspondence course.  It takes time to build a cliental.  You will likely start with pianos that haven't been serviced in years and educate them about how to keep their piano enjoyable to play.  If you are really lucky there will be a piano distributor that does not have a resident technician.  They will, upon verifying your ability, schedule you with their clients for 10-20% commission.  It will be a part time income for several years usually. Good luck, Andrew At 08:18 PM 11/9/2003 -0700, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Hi Brad, Keep your day job and work into  it  take a good correspondence couse like the Randy Potter School of Piano Technology 61592 Orion Drive Bend Or 97702 541 382 5411 Join the guild and further your education by taking classes. Then when you feel comfortable make the switch if you feel  you are ready to full time piano tech. Joe Goss <a href="mailto:imatunr@srvinet.com">imatunr@srvinet.com</a> <a href="http://www.mothergoosetools.com/" eudora="autourl">www.mothergoosetools.com</a> <dl> <dd>----- Original Message ----- <dd>From: <a href="mailto:bselves@sympatico.ca">Brad Selves</a> <dd>To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a> <dd>Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2003 7:54 PM <dd>Subject: on becoming a piano tech <dd>I'm contemplating a career change into Piano Tech and would love it if you Technicians/Tuners (what do you usually call yourselves?) could give me some insight into the career choice and business. <dd>  <dd>Although I think this career would be a great fit with me (grew up playing piano, love working with my hands, have made guitars & furniture, like being self-employed), I want to know this is a viable career before I quit my job to go back to school for this. <dd>  <dd>So having said this, my questions are these (for now): <dd>  <dd>Is there demand for Piano Techs? Is demand growing/shrinking/stable? <dd>Where is the demand? Is it private/institutions/stores/manufacturers/somewhere else? <dd>What is a reasonable range of annual income? What about starting out? I live in Southwestern Ontario, Canada if it makes a difference? <dd>Would you recommend this career? <dd>Do you have any other answers to questions you think I should be asking but haven't? <dd>  <dd>Thanks for your considerations in advance. </dl></blockquote></body> </html>