[pianotech] ETD tunings Vs Aural -some wisdom

[Joseph Garrett]

Paul said:
"Hi, All:
This discussion about whether to learn aural tuning techniques or not
reminds me of something my Guru said to me, "Machines are for experts. Not
for neophytes." 
When learning any craft such as ours, starting from the basics gives one a
foundation to build upon. If you want to be an expert carpenter or
cabinetmaker, you learn to use the hand tools first. I went to L.A. Trade
Tech college when I was 19. We had to make our first projects with only
hand tools, no power. We had to learn to use chisels and hand saws first
before we were allowed to use the machinery. This is how one learns to
master the craft. If one wanted to be a mathematician, does anyone think
it's not necessary to learn the times tables? Sadly, there are some schools
that de-emphasize learning times tables. We have computers and calculators
after all. Why learn spelling? This is also not taught properly, as one can
see in so many publications and online. We have spell checkers after all.
If you call yourself a writer, would you learn to spell? Hey, it's not
necessary now that we have spellcheckers. U no wat i meen?
My mother was an audiologist. She had earned her degree in Speech and
Hearing, and had her own business. Most of that business consisted of
fitting hearing aids. She would often complain that there were hearing aid
fitters that did only that, but didn't know anything about hearing, or the
anatomy, or anything of pathology. They were competitors of my mother. But,
if a doctor had a patient with a hearing problem, he wasn't going to send
them to a hearing aid fitter. My mother would get that referral because she
knew more and was an expert in the field. 
The argument over whether one needs to learn aural tuning will never be
resolved. But, if one wants to be an expert in any field, one has to learn
it from the beginning. If you don't learn the basics, you can't call
yourself an expert. If you don't care to be an expert, that's up to you.
But you'll never be known as one.
 
My take."

Paul,
YEAH! You da man! 'sactly what I've been talking about, BUT, you said it
soooo much better.Thanks!
Joe


Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I