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Applied Skills

The 1998 PTG Convention and Istitute will have Applied Skills workshops. More details are on the way. This article is reprinted from the Febuary, 1998 Piano Technicians Journal

Dale Probst, RPT
Institute Committee

"One of the best parts of the Convention!"
"You can go from one table to another and always pick something good."
"These hands-on classes are a marvelous opportunity, extremely beneficial...."

For three hours you pick the brains of twelve of PTG's finest technicians on twelve different subject areas, in a limited hands-on session. Subjects range from basic to advanced so that everyone can benefit from beginners to the most experienced.

Twelve stations arranged in a large room, twelve instructors ready to share, tools, jigs, parts, pianos.....You wander over to station one and, before you know it, you are learning by listening, then by doing. The tools are in your hands, the parts are in your hands, the instructor is encouraging you, as are the others at the station. You have never tried this procedure before and feel an internal tension, what if you can't do it? With every one watching? The instructor guides you with words of encouragement, your confidence grows, before you realize what has happened you are accomplishing a task that a few moments ago was intimidating beyond belief. You cannot wait to get home to try this procedure on the next piano you service. Then, it hits you. You are only on station number one, there are eleven more to go. Where has the time gone? You only have three hours! You hurriedly thank instructor number one and you are gone. Your job is done there.

Moments later at station number two you see the familiar look of terror and concentration on a colleague's face as she attempts task two. Then the rainbow look of knowledge, the assurance that she has got it, by George, I believe she's got it!

You plunge in, knowing your time is short, believing that you can learn more here in less time than anywhere on the planet. Knowledge is power and the Force is with you! In three hours you are going to learn enough to pay for the trip to Providence, the week off from work, the time away from home, and all the other sacrifices you have made. The Force is with you! You can overcome the power of the Dark Side!

Take me to Table Number Three!

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