#BECOMING A PIANO TUNER PROFESSIONAL#

About four decades ago, sensing that the trade could easily become a place for unethical bottom feeders who want to make a quick buck, the Piano Technicians Guild set its own standards of proficiency to qualify piano technicians as 'Registered.' The title must be earned by passing three examinations. From the Piano Technician's Guild website it says '.To attain the RPT classification, a PTG member must pass three examinations. A written exam tests basic knowledge of piano design, tuning theory, repair techniques and various other topics relevant to piano technology. Two separate practical, hands-on exams test tuning and technical skills. The practical exams are administered by panels of RPTs under the leadership of examiners trained and certified in standardized exam procedures. Exam procedures are designed to comply with standards of objectivity mandated by US anti-trust legislation, thus assuring that exams are fair and equivalent regardless of where or by whom they are administered. On the tuning exam the candidate must match as closely as possible a 'master tuning' created by a panel of examiners who have agreed - after painstaking experimentation and analysis - on an optimal tuning for the test piano. The exam is scored by using extremely sensitive electronic equipment to measure the deviation of the candidate's tuning from the standard thus established.

Candidates who use electronic tuning devices in their work must nevertheless demonstrate their ability to tune by ear, unaided by electronics. The technical exam requires the candidate to demonstrate professional-level skills in assembling a grand and a vertical piano action (the mechanical component of the piano) and in making all the complicated adjustments (called 'regulation') so that they function properly. The candidate must also demonstrate facility in various common repairs involving wood, cloth, felt, piano wire and other materials commonly used in pianos. All the procedures on these exams must be completed in prescribed time periods - thus demonstrating the fluency required of a professional. I became a Registered Piano Technician in October 2014. At that time I had worked full-time as a piano technician for over ten years! Yet even with more than 10,000 pianos under my belt, it was the hardest test I've ever taken! In fact, it was easier to complete the requirements to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (which I was) than it was to become an RPT (whether that also says something unsavory about requirements for therapists is the topic for another blog). Being a Piano Tuner may require a high school diploma or its equivalent and 2-4 years of experience in the field or in a related area.

#BECOMING A PIANO TUNER PROFESSIONAL#

When you trust your piano to an RPT you are trusting it to a proven professional who has met the highest entry-level standards in the industry. Has knowledge of standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Additionally, Piano Tuner relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Are there good technicians out there who've never completed the RPT exams? Sure. When I was 3 years old my parents set me down to tell me that I was going to have a baby sister. I also know a number of them that do shoddy, unprofessional work. Finally, when I turned 8 we inherited an 1890s upright piano. Just because someone advertises they've been in business for decades, doesn't mean they are any good. They could have been doing bad work the whole time and never had a professional organization against which to judge their work. Using an unregistered tuner may seem like it'll save money, but chances are it's not worth the risk. Case finishing (poly, stain and matte repair) - offsite.Complete piano stringing, including string leveling and alignment.Hammer filing and mating (Pre-requisite to later voicing).Introductions to tuning with a fork and with an Electronic Tuning Device (ETD).Always, always hire professionals.To provide a more comprehensive training experience, the internship is broken into four modules that focus on the different areas of piano technology: tuning, regulation, restoration and concert work.

Becoming a piano tuner