Making the Transition

[Donald Lemoine]

that story is the best i have ever come across, you have just taken me out
of a slump with my ptg membership as my group has been dead for some time
and getting to a point where no one shows up and
has made me think of leaving or joining the next state next to me.  out
chapter has become very
poor in spirit, our main office needs to give us a shot in the arm and more
stories like yours
thank you  respectfully  donspiano
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>From: Paul McCloud <smccloud@ix.netcom.com>
>To: pianotech@ptg.org
>Subject: Re: Making the Transition
>Date: Wed, Feb 9, 2000, 2:49 AM
>

>    Here's my story.  I was working part time in a restaurant while
>studying electronics by correspondence.  After finishing, I could not
>find a job in this field here in San Diego, competing with the military
>and other local, experienced people.  Time and money were short, so I
>began looking more closely at ads in the back of magazines  for
>work/skills.  There was an ad for piano tuning in the back of a
>magazine, so I inquired.  It cost more than I had at the time, so I let
>it go.  A few weeks later, on a Thursday, I saw an ad in the  paper from
>a local piano store: "Apprentice- learn the piano trade.  No experience
>necessary..."  Something like that.  I procrastinated a few days, and
>finally went down to apply.  I got the job.  I didn't know anything when
>I started.
>    I learned from the head technician for about a year, starting with
>regulation and minor repairs.  The company bought me an Accutuner, and I
>began tuning with it after a few weeks playing with it.
>    After a few years, I decided to get more serious about tuning and
>the trade, and joined the Guild.  My mentor had discouraged me from the
>Guild, saying it was just an excuse to get together and slap each
>other's backs and have some beer.  He apparently had had a bad
>experience with the Guild, and didn't want me to waste my time.  Soon
>after, he was fired, and my curiousity about the Guild brought me to
>attend some meetings.  Many meetings later, I joined, and after a few
>years, finally passed the RPT exams.
>    After being with the company for about 12 years, I am still with the
>company as head tech.  Still have a lot to learn, but doing well.  The
>lure of independent status tugs at me sometimes, but the bene's from the
>store, along with the comraderie, are hard to beat.  The only thing is,
>I have to do my outside work in the eve's and weekends, which doesn't
>leave much time for a life at home.  Oh well, can't have it both ways.
>    I've never stuck with anything for very long, but I'm still here. I
>do enjoy the business, and the Guild has helped me in more ways than I
>can count.  I did quit for a few months to do some furniture repair, but
>was unable to avoid tuning pianos part time anyway.  Eventually I was
>hired back by the company at a much higher pay rate.
>    I don't think I could quit to be full time independent and maintain
>the income level at this time.  Good luck to those who make it.
>    Paul McCloud
>    San Diego
>
>
>