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Hi JOhn,
Well hopefully, I'm practicing good habits, but I need to figure out =
where i'm losing time and change that. One thing is muting. I'm going =
to look in my schaff catelog and see if there's any kind of light, =
trouble light, type of thing i can clamp on the lid of a grand or put on =
an upright so I can really see the strings when I'm muting them. On =
grands, the three string unisons are a little close together in the =
trebble section. Have you ever had any experience with a gang mute from =
Schaff? They're pretty cool looking, a long rubber mute with wedges on =
it, about 13 I beleive. =20
I think my joining the PTg will be a marriage made in heaven. I can't =
wait until I go tothat first meeting. =20
Marshall
----- Original Message -----=20
From: John Formsma=20
To: 'Pianotech List'=20
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 10:40 PM
Subject: RE: Upgrading.....
Marshall,
=20
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.
=20
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.
=20
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.
=20
John Formsma
=20
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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.....
=20
Hi John,
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. =20
=20
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. =20
=20
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? :)=20
=20
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.=20
Marshall
----- Original Message -----=20
From: John Formsma=20
To: Pianotech List=20
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 9:46 AM
Subject: Re: Upgrading.....
=20
Marshall,
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:=20
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? =20
Marshall=20
----- Original Message -----=20
From: John Formsma=20
To: 'Pianotech List'=20
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 12:06 AM
Subject: RE: Upgrading.....
=20
Ron,=20
=20
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=20
=20
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."=20
=20
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.=20
=20
BTW, How many different places are you registered to vote in =
Florida ? <g>=20
=20
John Formsma=20
=20
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] =
On Behalf Of RON MAY, RPT
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 10:27 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: Upgrading.....=20
=20
Hi People=20
=20
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 Florida and we all know =
what that means but obviously some don't know how to do it.=20
=20
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.=20
=20
Ron May =20
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Avery=20
To: Pianotech List=20
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 4:37 PM=20
Subject: Re: Upgrading.....=20
=20
This subject HAS been on ptg-L. For DAYS!!!!!!!!!! Weeks? :-(=20
Avery=20
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