future technicians

[Dean May]

>>In a general way this thread perhaps opens up the topic of the role of
tuner as educator.  We OUGHT to be passionate advocates of the piano and its
technology, oughtn't we?  



I've had opportunity a few times to go into elementary schools and give a
little talk on piano construction and various aspects of my job. It was fun
and the kids seemed to enjoy it. One of the things I do is put a finger on
the various nodes of a bass string to demonstrate the different harmonics.
I'll also put the hammer on a pin and make it go way out of tune, then bring
it back into tune while playing the note. That gives them the dramatic demo
of what I listen for while tuning. I'll pull the action, pull a keystick,
basically show them that it isn't just a magic box that produces sound, but
a mechanical device with  parts that work together. 


Dean

Dean May             cell 812.239.3359 

PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272 

Terre Haute IN  47802


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Boyce
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2007 2:31 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: future technicians

Nice thoughts, Annie.

I love it when children show an interest, and always enjoy explaining things

and letting them see.  One little lad of about 6 sat beside me on the duet 
stool the whole time.  His little sister of about 3 was fractious as she had

a cold, and the boy confided conspiratorially in my ear "my wee sister's a 
menace!".  And then a bit later when she climbed on the stool and poured the

juice in her cup onto his head, he said "See, I TOLD you she's a menace!"

It's funny too how some children just aren't interested at all, and will 
ignore the whole thing, or even turn up the television.

It's a nice thought, about stimulating interest in becoming a piano 
technician.  As I child I was always very interested myself when the piano 
tuner came.

Dave Davis,. you are SOOO much older than I - I won't be 50 until October!

In a general way this thread perhaps opens up the topic of the role of tuner

as educator.  We OUGHT to be passionate advocates of the piano and its 
technology, oughtn't we?  To both adults and children.  And from a 
practical, business-oriented point of view, I think we come across as good 
professionals if we show willingness to engage with the client and take time

to explain things fully and clearly, as well as being interested in their 
own thoughts on pianos and piano music.

Best wishes,

David.