Part 1: Tuning
1.1 Introduction to Pianos, Piano Tuning, This Course and the Tuning DVDs
1.2 Beginning Tuning Hammer Techniques:
- What are “Unisons”, What are “Beats”
1.3 Tuning Bass Unisons:
- Understanding and Using “Ghost Tones”
- Harmonic Tuning of Bass Partials
1.4 Tuning Treble Unisons:
- “Notch” and “Smooth Pull” Tuning Techniques
1.5 Tuning Intervals and Setting the Temperament:
- 4ths and 5ths, 3rds and 6ths
- Coleman A-A Temperament
- Defebaugh F-F Temperament
- Potter F-A Temperament (3rds & 6ths or 4ths & 5ths) European A Temperament
1.6 Treble Tuning Techniques:
- Tuning “Wild Strings”, Plucking Techniques
1.7 Bass Tuning and Special Spinet Tuning Techniques
1.8 Tuning a Complete Piano: Putting It All Together
- Tuning Stability and Instability:
- Why Some Piano Tuner’s Tunings Hold and Other’s Do Not
- Pitch Raising and Lowering Techniques
1.9 Electronic Tuning Devices:
- Purposes, Types, Pros and Cons
- Using Them for Training and Tuning
1.10 Tuning Antique Pianos:
- European Birdcage (Overdamper) Pianos
- Mason & Hamlin Screw Stringer Pianos
- Square Grand Pianos, Harpsichords
1.11 Tuning Electronic Pianos and Organs:
- Yamaha CP70 and CP80 Electric Piano
- Baldwin, Wurlitzer and Fender Rhodes
- Electric Pianos, Electric Organs
Part 2: Repairing
2.1 Introduction to Piano Repairing:
- The Importance of Good Repair Techniques
- Pre-Tuning Inspection
- How to Troubleshoot the “Sticking Key”
2.2 Using Your DVDs and Vertical Action Model to Learn Repairing
- Troubleshooting Techniques on Your Action Model
- Troubleshooting Techniques in a Piano
2.3 Key Repair:
- Keytop Replacement, Rebushing, Repairing, Key Buttons, Repairing Broken Keys, Capstans
2.4 Bridle Strap Replacement
- Hammer Shaping
2.5 Action Repair and Replacement:
- Flange Repair and Replacement, Repinning, Wippens, Stickers, Hammer Butt Assemblies, Brass Rail
- Repairs, Wood & Brooks Actions
2.6 Hammer Repair and Replacement:
- Broken Hammer Stems, Hammer Selection and Fitting, Hammer Installation on Verticals and Grands
2.7 Spinet Repairs:
- Various Types of Direct and Indirect Blow Spinet Actions, including Thayer Indirect Blow, Baldwin
- Drop Action, Sohmer/Pratt, Read Type B Drop Action, S-1 and S-2 Compact Action, Wood &
- Brooks 90 degrees Inverted Direct Blow Action, Removal of Drop Actions, Wippen Repairs in the
- Piano, Drop Action Repairs (Grommets and Elbows)
2.8 String Repair and Replacement:
- Diagnosing, Repairing and Replacing Treble Strings, Making New Universal Bass Strings,
- Ordering Factory Strings,
- Livening Dead Strings, Tying Broken Strings,
- Damper Selection and Replacement
2.9 Grand Action Repair:
- Wippens, Shanks and Flanges, Keyframe Repairs, Damper System Repairs, Getting Parts
2.10 Pedal and Trapwork Repair: Vertical Pianos
- Lyre System Repairs: Grand Pianos
- Caster Repair and Replacement
2.11 Complete Action Overhaul:
- Replacing Worn Leathers and Felts in the Keyframe and Action , Repairing vs. Overhauling vs.
- Rebuilding vs. Restoring
2.12 Piano Stability and Instability:
- Why Some Pianos Will Not Hold a Tuning
- Diagnosis and Repair of: Weak Pinblock, Split Pinblock, Grand Piano Pinblock Bedding, Cracked or Broken Bridges, Cracked Soundboard, Broken Frames
- Shimming and Repinning Loose Tuning Pins
- Diagnosis of Humidity Problems
- Use and Installation of Humidity Control Systems
2.13 Repairing Antique and Victorian Pianos:
- Historical and Collectable Pianos
- Square Grand Pianos (American)
- Square Pianos (European)
- Birdcage (Overdamper) Pianos (European)
- Mason & Hamlin Screw Stringer Pianos
- Harpsichords
Part 3: Regulating
3.1 Introduction to Piano Regulating:
- Using Your DVDs and Vertical Action Model to Practice Regulating
3.2 Regulating Techniques for Vertical Pianos:
- Consoles, Studio Uprights, Professional Uprights, Old Uprights
- Vertical Piano Regulation Sequence Check-Off
3.3 Regulating Techniques for Spinet Pianos:
- Differences Between Direct and Indirect Blow Actions, Pratt, Read Indirect Blow Actions, Thayer
- Inverted Sticker Actions, Baldwin Drop Actions, Pratt, Read S-1 and S-2 Compact Actions, Wood & Brooks 90 degrees Inverted Direct Blow Actions, Vertical- Drop Action Regulation Sequence Check-Off
3.4 Regulating Techniques for Grand Pianos:
- Grand Piano Regulation Sequence Check-Off
3.5 Basic and Intermediate Voicing Techniques:
- Voicing Theory
- The “Kenzoid”
3.6 Preparing Pianos for Concerts:
- Troubleshooting Regulation Problems
- Using the Key and Hammer Movement Graph and Chart
- George Defebaugh’s Grand Piano E.S.P. Chart
- Aftertouch
3.7 Regulating Antique and Victorian Pianos:
- Cautions Concerning Antiques
- Pre-Regulation Inspection and Reconditioning
- Collectable and Non-Collectable Antique Pianos:
- Documented Historical Pianos
- Regulating Square Grand Pianos
- Regulating Birdcage (Overdamper) Pianos
- Getting Additional Help for Antiques
Part 4: Apprenticing
4.1 Introduction to Apprenticeships:
- What is an Apprenticeship
- Types of Apprenticeships Available Today
- Where Do You Find an Apprenticeship
- How You Can Get an Apprenticeship
4.2 Apprentice Training Manual:
- How to Fill it Out
- How to Use it to Help You Learn
- How to Use it to Help You Prepare for Your PTG Registered Piano Technician Exams
4.3 The Piano Technicians Guild:
- What is the Piano Technicians Guild
4.4 Getting Additional Training:
- Randy Potter School Advanced Training Seminar
- Attending PTG Conferences and Conventions
- Manufacturer’s Factory Training Schools
Part 5: Business Practices
5.1 Starting Your Business:
- How Much do Piano Technicians Earn?
- Your First Tunings for Pay
- Taking a Business Survey
- What is a “Standard Tuning” Service
- Determining Your Services
- How to Sell Your Services Over the Telephone
5.2 Getting Clients:
- Business Survey and Appraisal
- Public Relations
- Recommending Repair and Regulating Services
- Tuning for Stores, Schools, Churches
- Keeping Clients
5.3 Doing Your Business Paperwork:
- Methods of Advertising
- Determining Your Professional/Business Appearance Quotient
- Insurance: Business, Auto, Health, Life
5.4 Selling, Repairs and Regulations:
- Building a Repeat Clientele
- Doing Purchase Consults, Appraisals and Estimates
5.5 “G” Piano Works Labor Rate Guide:
- Instructions for using “G” Piano Works Labor Rate Guide, Appraisal and Estimate Forms
5.6 Dealing with Piano Dealers:
- Getting In-Store Tuning Work, In-Home Dealer Work and Store Referrals
5.7 Dealing with Piano Manufacturers:
- Doing Warranty Work
- Getting Information, Assistance and Approval for Manufacturer Warranty Work, Getting Paid
5.8 Accounting and Taxes:
- What the IRS Requires
- Surviving an IRS Audit: By a Surviving Veteran (With Accounts of “Flunkies”)
Part 6: Manufacturers and Suppliers
6.1 Piano Manufacturer Brochures:
- Included are brochures from many American, European and Asian Piano Manufacturers
6.2 List of Industry Suppliers:
- Included are names, addresses and phone numbers of Major Piano Parts Suppliers and OtherSpecialized Parts and Technician’s Tools Suppliers
6.3 List of Piano Manufacturers:
- Included are manufacturers’ names, addresses, phone numbers (including unadvertised 800 toll freenumbers for technician’s use), piano service managers and contract personnel
6.4 Supplier Brochures and Price Lists:
- Included are many catalogs and wholesale price lists from Major Piano Parts Suppliers and other industrysuppliers of tools, parts and supplies.
6.5 Technical Service Manuals and Reference Material:
- Included are several technical service manuals, reprints, action charts, diagrams and specifications forAmerican, European and Asian manufacturers.
Part 7: Examinations, Glossary, Miscellaneous
7.1 Examination Questions for Shipment One:
- Chapters 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1
- Video and Audio Loaning Library Policy
- Video and Audio Order Form
- List of Loaning Library Selections
- Borrowing a Yamaha PT-100 Tuning Device Policy
- Loaning Library Order Form
- Taking Your Examinations, Method of Grading, Graduation Requirements, Getting Your Diploma
7.2 Examination Questions for Shipment Two:
- Chapters 1.3, 1.4, 2.3, 2.4, 3.2, 3.3, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2
- Video and Audio Order forms
7.3 Examination Questions for Shipment Three:
- Chapters 1.5, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.4, 4.3, 5.3, 6.3
- Video and Audio Order Forms
7.4 Examination Questions for Shipment Four:
- Chapters 1.6, 1.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 3.5, 4.4, 5.4, 5.5, 6.4
- Video and Audio Order Forms
7.5 Examination Questions for Shipment Five:
- Chapters 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13, 3.6, 3.7, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 6.5
- Video and Audio Order Forms
- Diploma Request Form
7.6 Glossary and Index