<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <META content=text/html;charset=iso-8859-1 = http-equiv=Content-Type> <META content='"MSHTML 4.72.3110.7"' name=GENERATOR> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Hi List,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>I've read with interest the = discussions of the CD project, which brought up deeper issues.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I took the plunge a few months back.  I became = a member.  (Thanks to the friendship and care of my local chapter members.  They're great people that I'm proud to be associated = with.)  I'm still an associate, but it won't be long till I'll put those three = little letters behind my name (RPT).  I feel good about the organization.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>But now the subject has been brought up about = "giving away the farm" so to speak.  What would you have a new = 'convert' do?  Some have had the privilege of attending trade schools of one = type or another.  But then what?  Should it be a requirement that they = 'flounder about the business' for a few years, just to see if they can = tough it out? Pay their 'dues', so to speak?  I was lucky to have worked at = a dealer for a total of about 5 years.  That would take a lot of classes to = replace the experience.  Some are able to attend conventions, state and national.  Unfortunately, I am not able to attend K.C. this year, = but in the future, conventions, seminars, classes, etc.  will be a very = high priority.  This would certainly shorten a newbie's learning curve, = but usually, anything of substance here is a couple of times a year.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>To you seasoned techs who have been around for a = while,  just what would you have us 'newbies' do to learn and gain knowledge of = our craft?  It sounds to me like the CD project would certainly be a = worthwhile project for those who are hungry for knowledge.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Perhaps the availability of the CD, if it is = produced, should be for members only.(?)  That could complicate areas where the = Guild is not as widespread. (I'm thinking internationally.)  It wouldn't be = unheard of to sell only to the 'trade'.  Anybody ever try to get an APSCO = catalog without some sort of evidence that you're a piano tech? or dealer? or tradesman?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>It all boils down to the question, for us who are = new here and want to learn,... What would you have us to do?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>(If I were able to put a bug into someone's ear = about the whole situation,  what I think would be  truly wonderful is an = apprenticeship program.  There's nothing like working beside a true = craftsman day after day, learning, doing, and absorbing.  But = that's another subject for another thread.)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I wish I could convey my 'tone of voice' here, = because I'm asking, not to be sarcastic or indignant, but rather in sincerity, and a = desire to learn how I may become a better person.  I truly hope that if = you've read this far, you'll take it that way. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Thanks.  I look forward to your = comments.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Have a great day.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Brian Trout</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Quarryville, Pa.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV></BODY></HTML>