Not sure if you’ll see this comment but I have been trying to repair a free piano for my young daughter to play on and your videos are extremely well made. Very informational and such thorough explanations, I feel like I’ve learned so much. Been busy replacing jack springs and refelting pins on the hammer butt. Just want you to know that your hard work is very appreciated and you have a gift as a teacher.
I sorta fell into it. I acquired the local music store in 07 and by 010 folks were asking me about tuning (the previous owner had started out as a piano tech). Happily, the local library had the Reblitz book. Happily I had 5 friends who let me use their pianos as guinea pigs. Happily you have this series of videos :) Over time non-tuning issues have come up -- happily I'm pretty good with tools anyway but it has been a heck of a learning curve, particularly given that I keep running into pianos from the late 1800's - early 1900's. Your videos have been and continue to be a great help :)
My piano bass strings got damaged by "coffee" while tuning it (my mistake of putting the cup on top lid). Now I know how I can replace the strings. Thanks again and you're a great generous guy.
That is a good suggestion Howard, most people working with their pianos got something to drink beside them, I was working late night, hence the coffee. Btw, may I know where I can get those bass strings, at least 13 of them. I would appreciate if you can email me at manoloeljavier@gmail.com. Many thanks.
There was a situation here in the UK a few years ago of a guy who has never been employed in the piano industry, gained agencies for YAMAHA & STEINWAY. He had been extolling the virtues of POLYESTER as "you can stand a pint of beer on it!" He sold a new YAMAHA grand to a London hotel. We had a request to call to tune it. No problems. Six weeks later there was a phone call by the Bar Manager with a complaint! Called in to find the problem. Explained face to face with said manager. Showed the evidence first and explained that a glass of beer had been stood on the treble music desk panel. Beer slopped over and oiled the tuning pins very effectively. Explained that strings and plate would have to be removed in order to fit what we call a new wrest plank...........at a cost.............. We have so far had no further news. The Steinway London manager was subsequently diagnosed with dementia we understand!
Wow! This video is simply great. The amount of valuable information is very helpful. I’m seriously considering to learn the art of tuning pianos and this video gave me the push I needed. So many questions!!! Is it profitable? How to market the service? And the mother of all questions: how to begin? Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!!!
Hi! Thanks so much for your videos! I’ve been mentoring under an experienced tuner and I’m looking forward to joining PTG, but I’m also considering an online course. Have you heard any reviews about Piano Technicians Academy?
I’ve talked with some of my customers who have taken this course. They said it was pretty good. I haven’t seen the materials myself so I’m not sure how well of a job it does at training.
I read that if we are going to buy an upright piano we should try to get one at least 48" high because the short pianos have short strings and don't sound as nice. Really appreciate all the help I can get. I am just starting to learn. It is a little overwhelming at times. I think my piano may have some of those strings that have chaotic beats that can't be controled.
Hi Jennifer, It is true that the taller the piano, the better sound it will have, all other things being equal. But if you get a decent brand console piano that isn't too old, they can have a fairly nice sound. If you can get a taller piano that is 48" taller or more, this will be better though as long as it is a good quality piano. I really like the Yamaha and Kawai console pianos, but there are other brands out there that are good as well.
Thank you sir for the lead on the book: Pianos Inside Out. Saves scouring the internet for good resources. Could you recommend any tuning books that focus on temperament, and give an indepth analysis on their differences? Thanks.
Thank you for your videos. I was wondering if you had heard of American School of Piano Tuning. I started taking the correspondence courses from them. They seem comprehensive and professional. Can you weigh in on their course? Thank you!
That's who I went with recently as well. I initially tried Randy Potter, but the payment wouldn't process, and after calling and emailing them with no response, I went with American School of Piano Tuning. Many months later, I still haven't heard anything from the Randy Potter school.
I went through the American School of Piano tuning and also got my little certificate. Good information, you learn a lot, and because it's a correspondence course you can go at your own pace. You can even call the owner of the school and ask questions. Ultimately though, you really need hands on experience and practice to truly benefit and learn.
Hi, thanks for your advise. I’m interested in learning how to tune my piano. I live far 50 miles from a larger city. I want to learn to tune my piano not for business. I will look out for your videos. I have a book and I will study it. I had someone tune my piano but haven’t found him in the phone book. I will check the local college. Thanks for all the tips.
Do read my response in reply to a comment down below earlier. The dealer in question has been known to be prepared to sell at less than 6% markup. He was selling more Steinways than London. New York had to finance London. The shares dropped significantly for about 2 years. It took New York that long to fool him into volunteering to give up the agency. They did it but I must not tell you how. We have our sources.
There is no requirement to be certified to tune pianos. You just want to make sure your work is good enough that people will want to keep using you for their piano service and will refer you to other people. I personally have never taken any certification tests, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to take the Registered Piano Technician Exams to become an RPT.
Yes, American School of Piano Tuning is a home study course. The reason that I didn't mention this one is that I have heard mixed reviews about it. I haven't seen the materials myself, but some people that I've talked with that have taken the course say that it isn't that good of material for the price.
I don't recommend piano tuning as a career anymore for most. It could be a great "side hustle." Its easier now more than ever to learn anything. My #1 aptitude is mechanical inclination so I studied with Joe Sciortino (famous piano tool inventor). I loved Bill Garlic ( legendary technician and teacher) also on Long Island,,but he was not the ideal teacher for me.
Randy Potter is a fairly good course, although his video's could be a lot better quality and longer, as they are dubbed from his VHS tapes about 30 years old. His course could be streamlined omitting all the stories which usually are not helpful, and he could be much more detailed of certain aspects of regulation and repair. Should add Randy is no longer a "man", as now "Randi" is a transgender woman, but the instructional videos are still of him as a man. Not sure what happened here, but you can judge yourself.
Not sure if you’ll see this comment but I have been trying to repair a free piano for my young daughter to play on and your videos are extremely well made. Very informational and such thorough explanations, I feel like I’ve learned so much. Been busy replacing jack springs and refelting pins on the hammer butt. Just want you to know that your hard work is very appreciated and you have a gift as a teacher.
I sorta fell into it. I acquired the local music store in 07 and by 010 folks were asking me about tuning (the previous owner had started out as a piano tech). Happily, the local library had the Reblitz book. Happily I had 5 friends who let me use their pianos as guinea pigs. Happily you have this series of videos :) Over time non-tuning issues have come up -- happily I'm pretty good with tools anyway but it has been a heck of a learning curve, particularly given that I keep running into pianos from the late 1800's - early 1900's.
Your videos have been and continue to be a great help :)
Thank you so much! Love all the details and you seem like a solid dude. Much respect
Great info! Thank you
I'm using a piano tuning course. But you'r video's are a great addition. I Love them, very usefull, please keep making them!!
Great video. Really great insight
Your video is great. That's lot of effort in it and most importantly is your willingness to share. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing. You've done great service to many diy'ers like me.
Thanks for watching Mano. That is my goal, to share information so that others can understand the piano and how it works better.
My piano bass strings got damaged by "coffee" while tuning it (my mistake of putting the cup on top lid). Now I know how I can replace the strings. Thanks again and you're a great generous guy.
I guess I forgot to caution people in my video on piano tuning to not put a cup of coffee on the piano while tuning. :)
That is a good suggestion Howard, most people working with their pianos got something to drink beside them, I was working late night, hence the coffee. Btw, may I know where I can get those bass strings, at least 13 of them. I would appreciate if you can email me at manoloeljavier@gmail.com. Many thanks.
There was a situation here in the UK a few years ago of a guy who has never been employed in the piano industry, gained agencies for YAMAHA & STEINWAY. He had been extolling the virtues of POLYESTER as "you can stand a pint of beer on it!"
He sold a new YAMAHA grand to a London hotel. We had a request to call to tune it. No problems. Six weeks later there was a phone call by the Bar Manager with a complaint!
Called in to find the problem. Explained face to face with said manager. Showed the evidence first and explained that a glass of beer had been stood on the treble music desk panel. Beer slopped over and oiled the tuning pins very effectively. Explained that strings and plate would have to be removed in order to fit what we call a new wrest plank...........at a cost..............
We have so far had no further news. The Steinway London manager was subsequently diagnosed with dementia we understand!
Wow! This video is simply great. The amount of valuable information is very helpful. I’m seriously considering to learn the art of tuning pianos and this video gave me the push I needed. So many questions!!! Is it profitable? How to market the service? And the mother of all questions: how to begin? Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!!!
You are amazing for sharing your knowledge! Thank you so much for all your videos!
Thank you!
32 years of it now, trying to slow it down a bit, but have a huge demand, hard to say no
That's great!
Is it still a great career I heard a few people say it isn’t anymore ? But I refuse to believe especially I’m in Southern California lots of pianos
Hello, I am a brother from China learning how to tuning a piano.
Hi! Thanks so much for your videos! I’ve been mentoring under an experienced tuner and I’m looking forward to joining PTG, but I’m also considering an online course. Have you heard any reviews about Piano Technicians Academy?
I’ve talked with some of my customers who have taken this course. They said it was pretty good. I haven’t seen the materials myself so I’m not sure how well of a job it does at training.
Your video's inspire to get deeper! Good info, simple and clear presented. Thx for your time! :)
I read that if we are going to buy an upright piano we should try to get one at least 48" high because the short pianos have short strings and don't sound as nice.
Really appreciate all the help I can get. I am just starting to learn. It is a little overwhelming at times. I think my piano may have some of those strings that have chaotic beats that can't be controled.
Hi Jennifer,
It is true that the taller the piano, the better sound it will have, all other things being equal. But if you get a decent brand console piano that isn't too old, they can have a fairly nice sound. If you can get a taller piano that is 48" taller or more, this will be better though as long as it is a good quality piano. I really like the Yamaha and Kawai console pianos, but there are other brands out there that are good as well.
Try to avoid getting a spinet if you can. They are known for being hard to work on, especially the action.
Thank you sir for the lead on the book: Pianos Inside Out. Saves scouring the internet for good resources. Could you recommend any tuning books that focus on temperament, and give an indepth analysis on their differences? Thanks.
Thank you for your videos. I was wondering if you had heard of American School of Piano Tuning. I started taking the correspondence courses from them. They seem comprehensive and professional. Can you weigh in on their course? Thank you!
That's who I went with recently as well. I initially tried Randy Potter, but the payment wouldn't process, and after calling and emailing them with no response, I went with American School of Piano Tuning. Many months later, I still haven't heard anything from the Randy Potter school.
I went through the American School of Piano tuning and also got my little certificate. Good information, you learn a lot, and because it's a correspondence course you can go at your own pace. You can even call the owner of the school and ask questions. Ultimately though, you really need hands on experience and practice to truly benefit and learn.
👏👏👏👏👏👏
I'm a piano tuner too.
Good class
I bought the third edition of Arthur heiblitz on piano tuning and servicing. Its pretty comprehensive. Is this a good book to use?
Yes, that's a good book to use. "Pianos Inside Out" by Mario Igrec is also a good resource and is more up to date.
Being from Texas I’m having a hard time visualizing all of these pianos in basements🤣 we don’t have many basements
Piano movers must be happier in Texas
Hi, thanks for your advise. I’m interested in learning how to tune my piano. I live far 50 miles from a larger city. I want to learn to tune my piano not for business. I will look out for your videos. I have a book and I will study it. I had someone tune my piano but haven’t found him in the phone book. I will check the local college. Thanks for all the tips.
I got into this kind of work by apprenticeship ;)
How did you approach the technician?
Do read my response in reply to a comment down below earlier. The dealer in question has been known to be prepared to sell at less than 6% markup. He was selling more Steinways than London. New York had to finance London. The shares dropped significantly for about 2 years. It took New York that long to fool him into volunteering to give up the agency. They did it but I must not tell you how. We have our sources.
What a bizarre and difficult post to understand.......... Who cares?
Do you have to be certified to professionally tune pianos?
There is no requirement to be certified to tune pianos. You just want to make sure your work is good enough that people will want to keep using you for their piano service and will refer you to other people. I personally have never taken any certification tests, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to take the Registered Piano Technician Exams to become an RPT.
Can I do an apprenticeship with you... But that 8 hour commute from my house to yours is kind of a bummer....
Yes, that would be quite the distance to travel.
also American School of Piano Tuning is home study
Yes, American School of Piano Tuning is a home study course. The reason that I didn't mention this one is that I have heard mixed reviews about it. I haven't seen the materials myself, but some people that I've talked with that have taken the course say that it isn't that good of material for the price.
I don't recommend piano tuning as a career anymore for most. It could be a great "side hustle." Its easier now more than ever to learn anything. My #1 aptitude is mechanical inclination so I studied with Joe Sciortino (famous piano tool inventor). I loved Bill Garlic ( legendary technician and teacher) also on Long Island,,but he was not the ideal teacher for me.
You don’t explain why you don’t recommend it as a career anymore ?
Randy Potter is a fairly good course, although his video's could be a lot better quality and longer, as they are dubbed from his VHS tapes about 30 years old. His course could be streamlined omitting all the stories which usually are not helpful, and he could be much more detailed of certain aspects of regulation and repair. Should add Randy is no longer a "man", as now "Randi" is a transgender woman, but the instructional videos are still of him as a man. Not sure what happened here, but you can judge yourself.
Seems like you need hands on experience, with regard to online learning.
Anyone have 100 pianos I can borrow?
You talk too much!
+José Henrique Vargas Dont listen to this a hole. Your videos are amazing.
I clicked because I read ; How to become a piano.
I’m sorry the video didn’t provide any helpful instructions on how to become a piano.