Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum New PTG Convention Classes for 2011

Ryan,
Let us know if Hoadley responds.
A rebuilder here in Sacramento was geared up to present a wood technology class for the National in Southern Cal a while ago.
You might consider Dale Fox if Hoadley or the other person will not.

Thanks RPD! So it sounds like you or one of your associates is interested in teaching the class? If you could PM me a description of the class in the following format I will take it to the Institute Team:

Title
Instructor
Brief description

If the instructor is new, it would be good to have some recommendations so that we can feel confident that the person can pull it off.

Ryan,

Thanks for the thought, and we do run a great shop here, but I don't think I'd presume to teach anything to a group of techs at my first PTG convention! In fact, I'll be the guy in the back with tape over his mouth, an arm full of literature, and a notebook!

I'd probably nominate either Chuck Behm or Alex Kaptyn (sp?)...but not myself!

Thanks for entertaining the idea though...and I'll keep in touch with the topic to see if anything developes...

RPD

I keep looking for Kansas City, Michigan ...Ryan, you need to fix your signature.

OOPS! You're right! I got MI confused with MO. Oh well, I've done worse...!

Hey, they are right next to each ither...

Yeah! They're practically the same thing!

Hello all. I submitted this class idea to the committee. Is there any interest in it?

The Eco-Friendly Piano Technician

This 90 minute class will explore ways to bring pianos into harmony with the caretaking of our earth. It will discuss not only the philosophy of why this is important, but also specific techniques for practicing these long-neglected philosophies. For example, Bolduc is experimenting with a new “Green Soundboard,” made from the left over scraps of spruce not normally used in soundboard construction. Other topics include: restoring vs. trashing; recycling; green energy in the office and travel; the rule of six; forest history and prognosis; materials such as escaine/leather, glues, wood, felt, metals and agraffes.

Noah Frere
www.knowapiano.com
Knoxville, TN

I second the wood technology class.

Noah Frere

Thanks Noah! I think it is a very intriguing idea for a class. I'm sure many other technicians are thinking about these same issues.

It sounds like you are actually offering to teach the class. That would be wonderful! If you've submitted it to the team, you've already completed the first step! Posting it here, will maybe indicate how much others may be interested in it.

Keep in mind that even if your class doesn't get chosen this year, it may get chosen the following year. Every year the schedule is a balancing act, but since "NEW!" is the theme this year, I think your class is very appropriate.

Nice website by the way!

thankx! yours is nice too.

I am always impressed by the jigs and educational material, books, seminars, etc, the PTG is providing.

Having a few friends that leave now in the USA, they also told me that it is a good opportunity to attend those seminars.

How true, Isaac! PTG has continued to evolve at a steady rate. It is certainly not the same organization that it was when I joined 18 years ago. The level of professionalism and quality of information has reached new heights, much to the benefit of all: PTG and Non-PTG members alike, and the piano playing public.

Would you consider teaching at a PTG Institute Isaac? It is always refreshing for us here in the USA to get the European perspective on things! Andre Oorebeek has been a big hit the past couple of years. We always enjoy our "exotic" guests!

If you have interest and/or ideas please don't hesitate to let me know!

Here I am at the Kansas City International Airport waiting for my flight back to Seattle. We just wrapped up our pre-conference planning session. Director Marc Poulin's "All new classes!" concept has paid off - we have an amazing and refreshing line up of classes for the 2011 PTG Institute. There will be a few classes that will return by overwhelming popular demand, but for the most part expect to see classes and instructors that you have never seen before.

I will be following up with more details soon!

The time to start planning on attending is now! Fall is the busy time for piano technicians, and is often a time when we can put a little extra into the bank. Make a commitment to your continuing education - your clients and bank account will thank you. It is really one of the best investments you can make. As the saying goes: "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance".

More to come soon...!

Ryan-
I taught a chemical safety class to local chapters about 15 years ago. Much of the info is outdated, since you don't have to mail away for MSDS instructions any more, you can find them online. I gave my notes to Randy Potter and he updated the class and made a video during the 2004 Cal State Conference in Los Angeles.

Thanks Lisa! I'll suggest to Roger Wheelock that he contact Randy for that info.

INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT: DAVID ANDERSEN

INSPIRATION is a piano technician’s most important asset. It motivates us to strive for excellence. For those of you familiar with David Andersen’s classes you understand what I mean when I say that he is the embodiment of INSPIRATION! His latest offering to the institute will charge you up like never before. David’s lectures are not to be missed; He is one of our field’s top instructors. The way he communicates and connects with a room of piano technicians is electrifying!

David’s new class is entitled “The Ultimate Tool: Understanding and using the brilliance of your own body in high-end piano work." Each of us has in our possession the most technologically advanced, ultra-sensitive, compact, highly reliable piano tool that the world has ever known: Our own bodies. With all the tools, jigs, and gauges that are available we may not realize that our own bodies can achieve superior results.

From the class description: “98% of what neuroscientists know about our brains has been discovered in the past 10 years, and we can take immediate advantage of that in our craft and practice. There are powerful new techniques for growing new neural pathways and increasing our ability to focus, hear the piano, and feel the piano”

David’s friend, Tim Gallwey, author of The Inner Game of Tennis, the largest-selling sports book in history, will collaborate through a short video. His techniques have had a powerful effect over the past 30 years, radically improving the performance and state of being of athletes, artists, musicians, and CEOs all over the world. Now we can improve ours. Very plain and simple explanations and practical demonstrations will be given.

Part two will be a hands-on practicum. Pianos will be made available and participants will explore some of David’s “Ultimate Tool” techniques first hand. This could very well be a life-changing experience that will forever alter and deepen your approach to piano work, and perhaps provide the key to doing better work on better pianos.

David will demonstrate protocols he has developed based on the ideas from the first period. The following areas will be covered: Tuning, voicing, precise, “concert” action regulation, and the extremely important area of diagnostics: Using your body to “be the expert” and consistently sell more work than “just tuning”.

Best of all, every participant will go home with a multi-trillion dollar tool! No assembly required. Just turn it on!

I received my PTG journal with all of the classes listed in it today Ryan. Looks like you have some dynamic classes!! That's the hardest part, choosing what classes to attend.

I reserved my room at the hotel last night so it's official, "we're" going...my son and I! Just have to pay Sandy for the both of us yet which will be fairly soon too!

I'm really eager to be there as well. I was pleased to see that Bernhard Stopper will demonstrate his method of aural tuning in a double session. I will definitely attend that to find out just what it is for sure that he does and hear the results afterward. I promised Bernhard a steak dinner many months ago and I'd like to renew that offer at this time.

Also of prime interest to me is the Home Office museum tour.

Your are welcome Bill, also your offer for the steak dinner!
Maybe a good chance to eat your crow there when i eat my steak, if you were wrong with GP´s comparison game ;-)

I prepared a small video trailer for my class:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Holg8i4u9JU