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Believe it or not, we are already planning our schedule of classes for the 2011 PTG Technical Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. To shake things up and create some intrigue, Institute Director, Marc Poulin has set the goal of having a curriculum of all new classes!

His criteria are thus:

1. A new class or instructor that has never been offered before.
2. A class that has been taught at the chapter or regional level but never at an annual event.
3. A class that is so old that it will SEEM like a brand new class!


While Marc has taken a bit of flak for this theme, I was impressed to see how many instructors at the Las Vegas convention were enthusiastic about the challenge! You could literally see their mental gears turning as they mulled over this idea, and the classes have already started coming in!

This year I would like to use Pianoworld to help develop some ideas for new classes. Since this forum is a mix of PTG and non-PTG piano technology enthusiasts, it will be a terrific venue for this discussion.

I put forth the following questions:

• What would YOU (yes I mean YOU!) like to see at an annual convention?
• What classes can we offer that will most benefit the piano playing public?
• What classes can contribute best to the well being of piano technicians?
• Is there a particular instructor that needs to be seen? (note: not all instructors have to be PTG members)

Thank you! I look forward to your creative responses!

Ryan Sowers, RPT
Assistant Director
2011 PTG Technical Institute
Kansas City, MI

I would really like to see a wood technology class - Bruce Hoadley possibly?
How about an amature rebuilders showcase. Bring in the first complete rebuild for scurtiny by the pros.
In 2005 the regional conference we did at the university we had a dead room in the physics lab. It was a great place for an acoustics class but we could not put it together.
I don't think that Del taught his scale class at a national yet - using his jig thing that demonstrates tone based on wire perameters like diameter, tension and tail length etc.

I have been asked about this but....
The dual mono-chord is somewhat heavy and is difficult (though certainly not impossible) to ship. I did short versions of the class in Denver, Colorado (as part of an all-day seminar) and in Belleview, Washington and found that three hours is just barely adequate to get some of the basic ideas across.

Most recently I did an all-day seminar in Sacramento (where I could drive and haul the equipment with me) that was, I thought, somewhat more successful in large part because I had experienced piano rebuilders (Dale Fox and Brett Dearing) to assist in the switchover between string setups. I’m not sure I’d want to do the class again without this kind of assistance. And I’m undecided about trying to do a presentation featuring the dual mono-chord in a standard three hour class format (i.e., two 1-1/2 hour sessions).

I am planning another three-day in-shop seminar that will incorporate the dual mono-chord as an integral part of the curriculum.

We’ll see.

ddf

When?

When I'm not in Korea or China. I'll let you know.

ddf

Del, any chance you might be teaching that (maybe a 2 * 1.5 hour version) or any other classes at the 2011 Western/Pacific Conference? I'm still undecided about whether or not I'm going (am hoping to go) but if you're teaching classes there it may(?) help sway my decision in favor of going... if financial issues don't get in the way (like they very nearly did with the convention in Vegas)...

Sorry, I don't know as yet. Depends on timing--will I be in the country? And time--will I have enough time to prepare something useful? And resources--can I afford to make the trip? And being asked.

ddf

Very good suggestions so far!I just tracked down Professor Hoadley's email address and sent him an invitation. It will be exciting if he can participate!

There was another gentleman who gave a terrific wood technology class years ago at a regional conference. I think his name may have been Lee Josa, but I can't seem to find anything online about him, so I may not have his name quite right. I believe he was a Canadian resident. He also taught a beginning wood carving class that was well received.

Del - There may be someone from Seattle driving to Kansas city. Roger Gable may be one of them - perhaps he could haul your fixtures. I'll check into this.

Another class idea that someone mentioned to me recently was one about chemicals that are used in the piano trade - their toxicity and safe handling. Also understanding how different types of lubricants work. This could be a sort of "chemistry 101" for piano technicians. I don't know who would teach it. Any ideas? Del, would this be up your alley?

It is Les Joso, I believe. Last I heard he still lived in Vancouver, BC. Check with Rod--someone in the Vancouver chapter should be able to track him down. Best class on wood I ever saw. Informative and highly entertaining!



Be better than shipping it. What are the chances of making it an all-day affair ala Sacramento? Check with Dale Fox and Gene Nelson.



Nope. I’m not a chemist.

ddf

Is Franz Mohr still around? I've never met him, and if he's still alive, would love the opportunity, but don't really feel like traveling to NYC at this time (and by the time I can afford a trip like that he'd be almost 200 if he was still alive).

Excellent idea, 88key! I'll check into this. BTW, it was nice to meet you in Las Vegas! You are wise to take advantage of the educational opportunities the guild offers.

I think that's a fantastic idea for a class.

Agreed! What with all the lead, teflon, mclube, methanol (bad!), lacquer, acetone, etc. that we're exposed to all the time, this a great idea for a class. In fact, someone could take the class notes and turn it into a nifty brochure/bulletin for distribution among technicians.

Shop safety is up there too. Also hearing protection, but that one is already being covered.

After the long EBVT thread, I'd be happy to give "An introduction to Temperaments" - an understanding of Jason Kanter's www.rollingball graphs. When I usually give a similar class, I tune three or more pianos so that participants have a chance to "feel" the tuning from the bench - I think it is a different experience from hearing from the audience.

The class usually branches out to include ETD tuning, the Bach/Lehman temperament story, and stretch preferences as well as temperament choices.

These types of classes always depend on the willingness of the class to participate by bringing even the easiest repetoire to play...

Ron Koval
chicagoland

Hi there Zeno! It's hard to believe it hasn't even been a week since we had dinner in the "Miracle Mile"!
. Jean and I finally had dinner at Ellis Island the next night. It turns out we were in the wrong part of the building when we went there! And the rumors were true: $1.50 micro brews while you wait!

The trick with this class will be to find someone qualified to teach it! But I agree it is a very important topic. It seems I recall that Doug Wood in Seattle had a chemistry background and had maybe taught a similar class years ago. He'll be recovering from his bicycle accident for a while, but maybe this would be a good time for him to work on a class!

If anyone out there knows a good instructor for this topic let me know! I'll check the pianotech list as well.

Ron! I like this idea! It's especially fun to have public figures at the convention. You've attained a certain level of fame through your youtube videos! This would be an opportunity for people to learn from you in person. Can you send me a more detailed class description so I can bring it to the Institute Director?

Along the Hoadley theme: woodworking for piano technicians. For those of us who are primarily tuner-techs, are generally handy, but haven't bought their first major power tool yet. Cut, plane, and assemble a sound board. Make repairs to existing piano parts in the case, action. Make your own bridge. I know, I know, those are all all-day/week classes, but not the introduction to the common things done on the drill press, table, band, and miter saw, etc. Building a woodworking shop specifically tailored to piano work, showing what you need, what you would like, and where you go all-out. Maybe it's been done and I just haven't been around long enough.

I feel the same way! I wish I had taken WAY more woodworking classes in high school and college.

Now we just need to find the right person to teach "Basic Woodworking for Piano Technicians". I'll check with the pianotech list too. A couple of people are coming to mind...

There is a violin maker in Cincinnati who use to be an industrial chemist. I haven't talked to him in a few years, but he might fit the bill. I could try to look him up if there is interest. He gave me stern warnings about the dangers of lacquer thinner, acetone, etc. He use to work with them all the time, and I think suffers some long term nervous system damage. He said he wore full protection, but it still seeps into the bloodstream. It's one reason I haven't had much interest in getting back into the refinishing part of trade.

How about a class entitled "The Well Tooled Shop: All the Tools Necessary to Expand into Regulation, Rebuilding and Restoration"

I know it varies from tech to tech, but we've got a fairly large and full time shop here, and its taken us years to tool up the way we are now...and we're still refining. It would be a great class for beginners, but also for experienced tech's looking to take in larger jobs. The one-bench shop could be covered too, for smaller operations.

Perhaps its been done (certainly in derivative form through accumulated classes etc, but my idea would target JUST setting up a shop)...we're planning to attend in Kansas, and that's my 2 cents.

The rest of the ideas look great, BTW!

RPD