I've been playing piano for six months or so and when looking to purchase an acoustic, I was immediately drawn to the technical aspects surrounding the piano's construction and proper maintenance.

I am a programmer so I like to go through things systematically and really understand what I'm working with, so I've been going through Reblitz's Piano Servicing, Tuning and Rebuilding (2nd ed) and have read through most of Larry Fine's book; however, I am quickly realizing that hands-on experience is critical.

I just purchased a Milton upright (serial: 157497) (not my dream piano, but in good shape for a project instrument) and have been working on tuning technique and basically poking around here and there - cleaning, trying to troubleshoot a stubborn key.

I would thoroughly appreciate advice from anyone about taking the next steps.

I have been frustrated when looking for resources. I have come across prohibitively expensive correspondence courses, overpriced starter kits with crummy tuning hammers, etc, etc.)

I have applied to become an associate member of the PTG, and have been frequently lurking around a nearby piano shop, but I know to seriously get into the field I need formal training.

So my questions to the PW piano tech cognoscenti:

What resources would you recommend for training (course, reading materials, videos, etc.)?

Where should I look for decent tools? (I need to get some mutes (particularly for the treble as I quickly found out that the wedge mutes aren't made for that), a proper hammer, regulating tools, etc.)


Thanks in advance for your consideration.
-Chris

ps: sorry if this is a repeated topic... didn't thoroughly browse the archives. Feel free to throw some links at me if this subject has been covered to death

As many resources as you run into. The local library has a lot of informative books on piano technology.

The PTG has a web site with a lot of information there. I believe they also have what is called the PACE lessons but I don’t know what they are.

Get as much information from local technicians as you can take in; also as much reading in the archives here and other sites related to the piano business.....

Visit piano shops and offer to work a Saturday for nothing or something like this.......

Buy the video of Jim Coleman and George Defebaugh on tuning.

You can find good tools & prices at Schaff.

If possible get a mentor.

Go to the meetings of your PTG chapter.

Awesome. I will definitely check out that video and the tools supplier you mentioned.

And yeah, def. planning on going to the PTG meetings.

Thanks Dan. Yeah, I agree. Trying to land to apprenticeship at the shop I mentioned.

see my post above, best wishes for success. It does take years to become established. If you are inclined to go for long haul, I have some quality tools that I can supply at minimal cost. However, if you are not at this point committed, you need to by pass.
Sherrie

Here's a link to startup resources:
http://ptg.org/becomingATech.php

As a former developer, what turned me on was using TuneLab on my laptop to analyze my piano and eventually start tuning it on my own. You can download the full version for free at www.tunelab-world.com, and it just pauses for several minutes every dozen notes until you buy a license. There are versions for PCs, smartphones, PDAs, and the iPhone now (no trial on the iPhone).

Piano actions are also sufficiently complex to be interesting:
http://www.concertpianoservice.nl/main.swf

Also check this out:
http://www.stanwoodpiano.com/seesaw.pdf

--Cy--

Cy, brilliant. Thanks for the links. I had heard of tunelab but didn't realize it was free.

Nice diagrams. Just removed the action from my upright so luckily I have a nice physical model to play with as well. Definitely will be checking out that Stanwood pdf.. interesting stuff.

Well, the demo version is free...but if you're going to be in the trades you'll want to license it, and even at that its really not expensive compared to the other platforms. But yeah, you can load it and try it out to get the feel before you buy...great feature...

RPD

Chris:

Welcome Aboard!

Wedge mutes do work in the treble, here’s how: Lift the damper away from the strings and place the mute at an angle from the top right and into the strings you want to dampen. The damper will rest on the mute and the mute will not be in the way of the hammer. Half-width mutes work even better and are sold or you can make your own.

Ebay has a constant supply of used piano tuning tools and supplies.

Astonishly enough, I have never tried it that way... But I certainly will! Thanks for the tip.