This is Anson Everitt. I'm an aspiring RPT. I don't aspire to having those three letters after my name, but only to being deemed competent to a certain level. (the level set by the PTG exams) After that I don't plan on NOT learning anymore. I plan on learning all I can and I really look to forward to it all.

For now, I am celebrating the 100th piano that I've been allowed to be associated with. ( I wonder if I'll have to change that to "allowed to be RPT'ed with" after I pass the exams)? Either way, its freaking awesome MAN! Since 2004 when I got my Potter course in the mail, to now, its been a journey. A journey to the center of my soul. I didn't think it would be a journey to the center of my soul. but. it is. Now I'm there, I just gotta find my way around the place. Its huge!!! Many of you have helped me find my way here. THANK YOU! What a great opening chapter or maybe even just an introduction to the whole story that is yet to be written. I imagine there will be plenty of action, humor and drama in the possible volumes that are to come. As I strive to learn the ways of the masters, I don't pretend to think it will come without pain and sacrifice. It will take hard work, patience, perseverance and no doubt a little help from above. What a blessing to have such wonderful resources. Great mentors. Phenomenal websites, (Thank you Frank B.!!!!) And lots and lots of good friends. Thank all of you!!!!!!

Anson Everitt
earth resident/handyman/piano technician

p.s. the 100th piano went fairly smooth. a put about 20 hammer return springs back in their places, did a quick pitch raise, then tuned. Oh yes, I first cleaned the piano inside and out because it was dirty. Dirty little spinet! I got a check for 100 dollars. yipeeee!!!!!

Congratulations Anson .... You have traveled the road that I embark on now. I just got the Potter course last week. I plan to dig in as soon as I finish installing soffits on the house. I hope the next 100 pianos are as as successful as the first 100 for you.

Tom

Very good Anson,

I was wondering where you where…you disappeared there for a while and I thought maybe you were buried under a pile of pianos or something…..

All good ……. and it becomes fun when you start to receive the dough…... ray….... me…..... you see what happens? Too many pianos for me……

Keep up the good work!

Way to go Anson. Congratulations! Keep up the efforts!!! They will surely pay off in more ways than one!

100 pianos under your belt? Time to raise your rates!

Good luck on your exams! Its a very worthwhile goal you are working towards!

Just curious (collecting information for an inofficial poll)

How many pianos did you tune before starting tuning for pay?

I tuned about 20 or so.

Good post, Anson. Way to go. It's a long road to get...where exactly do we get, anyway? You realize you're getting somewhere when you realize how much you DON'T know. The voyage never really ends, but it will take you some interesting places. Enjoy the trip.

Jurgen,

I probably did about 20 too. I don't think I started charging until I passed my RPT exams. I ran my first ad in the classifieds for $50 a tuning back in 1994. I think I worked on all the worst pianos in town!

Anson:

Glad things are going well for you.

Jurgen:

I tuned one piano less than a half dozen times before I started charging. I was taking weekly private lessons from a blind floor tuner during his lunch break and practicing on the same piano in between. It was the only training that was available to me. After the fifth lesson he said there was nothing more he could teach me. I will always wonder what that meant… I have never tuned a piano that I was 100% satisfied with and I hope I never do.

I have...but it was more a function of the piano than the tuning!

Good point, Dave, and if I stay away from quality pianos it won't ever be a problem!

Congrads big time. I still remember my 100th. I still tune for that church and have the ticket in my scrap book. I know the feeling of coming a long way. Keep up the good work and the excitement. This is only the beginning.......