Piano Tuning and Repair Schools

[mpstilwell]

Hey Guys! I just thought I would let you all now that The Institute of Instrument Technology just launched the first and only online piano tuning and repair certification course. Check them out at http://pianotuningschool.com/

[honeywill]

Surely no-one would be so foolish as to believe that they could actually learn to tune or repair a piano from a course consisting of 10 on-line lessons. Pity anyone who actually hires a tuner who has only undergone this 'training'. What nonsense

[Bob]

I had a piano tech recommend some correspondence courses to me once when I asked.  I was surprised.  He was serious too.  Said x-course is pretty good. 

[mpstilwell]

Of course taking a course in piano tuning and repair is a STARTING point for people who want to learn to tune and repair the instrument... Not everybody can get an apprenticeship or an internship with a tuner... I am a third generation piano tuner/tech and I support this school and the course. "Honeywill" and "Bob", I'm sure that you are aware that everybody has to start somewhere... Since there are only two schools who still teach this art, the everyday person looking to learn the trade is not left with many options. Personally, I have only heard of one person in the last 10 years who actually got an internship with another tuner. Typically we don't like to train our "competition" if you know what I mean.. Are either one of you tuners yourself?
http://pianotuningschool.com

[Bob]

Nope.  I have a general idea of what they do and I assisted one once a long time ago.  Nothing like doing everything 88 times to allow your mind to wander and stupid mistakes to slip in. 

Still kind of interested in how to tune though. 

*Bob considers changing his name to "Bob"... even to the extent of using hand "air quotes" [Bob demonstrates]... which is of course pointless in text.*

[mpstilwell]

Tuning definitely allows your mind to wonder.. I was tuning at a resort this morning and I now know everything about every server in the bar! haha Doing a pitch raise took 3 hours on a baby grand Yamaha G1 they just bought (used) which allowed me enough time to hear all the drama between the servers/bartenders.. I have such an interesting job! The piano sounds great and plays even better.. What a nice piano.

If you want to know more about tuning maybe you should take a course? I don't mean to try to sell you on our school...There are a few others out there. I went to American School of Piano Tuning and it was a pretty good course. Not online though and REALLY old (hence our school being completely online http://www.pianotuningschool.com/). If you would like more info on either school, let me know.

P.S, I like the name Bob... But a hand signal would be cool too!

[tina_p]

I agree with honeywill.  It's definitely better to hire a piano tuner rather than risk ruining your tuning, where you will end up calling a piano tuner anyway.     I'd recommend Landon Paul's Total Piano Repair,    http://www.total-piano-care.com Considering my upright piano has been passed on for 4 generations, I seriously need to be careful with my choices for maintenance.     

[ardeenaclinton]

Yup tina even I do so....
Never heard about such tunning classes, instead would prefer to have a specialist who can tune it up and repair it, after all who will wish to have risk?? Was wondering http://www.total-piano-care.com really work good as I am badly searching for piano repairs!!

[pytheamateur]

I'd love to be able to tune my own piano!  Does anyone know of any concert pianist who is also a piano tuner?  I wonder why the two have to be separate.  Afterall don't string players tune their own instruments?  I suppose tuning can only be good training for the ears?

[billabot]

I am a novice player at best, a self taught professional bassist, and an industrial repair engineer. By far people over estimate the complexity of a piano. I never took a class but taught myself to repair and tune pianos. It's quite simple yet tedious. As for tuning, yes having a great ear for pitch matters, you just can't use a tuner to tune all the octaves. But as for all other repairs just take your time it's only a simple lever mechanism, no micrometer snap gauges or any other metrology equipment needed. If you interested I say take the course if it'll help you. I've been repairing pianos for 5 years now and never a complaint, only praise for my ultra low prices.

[hitechbiniou]

Hi all,

Sorry to bring this old post up but I've noticed that the OP's link pianotuningschool.com is not on line anymore.  Is the OP still around?

Anyway, for those of you who still wonder wether it is a good option to learn piano tuning and maybe take your chance on a new career, I definitely encourage you to go for it!

Anybody can learn how to tune pianos even if a person don't want to pursue a career.  Think of a pianist that can do touch ups on the old piano at the piano bar venue!  Also for any pianist, to know more about their instrument is an advantage for the performance.

What brought me here is a "piano tuning course" Google search and I can confirm there are a lot of choice in piano tuning lessons on line in 2016.  Some good, some bad and some very serious players.  The "cheap" Chinese piano phenomenon have raise the demand of piano tuners because people started buying pianos again since they are so low priced.  The 80s, 90s saw a very steep drop in piano tuner demand because of the digital pianos.

After creating my piano tuning video tutorial in French 4 years ago, I finally managed to complete the English version.  It is a very cheap video tutorial that will give you a solid start if you want to pursue a career in the piano tuning business and yet, it is very complete and nothing is left unanswered.

To get a "taste" of it, please visit my YouTube channel at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/PianoTuningHowTo/videos

Please visit the sales page at
http://video-tutorial-01.pianotuninghowto.com/

You can also visit my website at
http://pianotuninghowto.com/

Contribute to harmony in the Universe, go tune a piano today!

Mario Bruneau
Piano tuner for 40 years

[mpstilwell]

Hello!

www.PianoTuningSchool has actually grown over the years into www.PianoTechnicianAcademy.com. We are a training platform for the RPT exams given by the Piano Technicians Guild. Take a look at our site and let me know if you have any questions!

P.S
Your videos looks great!

[hitechbiniou]

Hey mpstilwell,

Thanks for your kind words.

Glad to find out that PianoTuningSchool as grown over the years into PianoTechnicianAcademy.
You have a nice website and your training look serious.

Why in your Standard Tool Kit do you supply the bottom of the line tuning lever?  I don't encourage people to start with a cheap tuning lever for it won't help them to really know if they are doing OK in their tuning lever manipulation.  Those cheap tuning hammers are unstable to say the least and can even worn the tuning pins.

Also, I don't see the combination tool handle in the picture.  You might want to add it

Maybe we can exchange links as your course cover repairs as well as tuning.  My course only covers tuning. 

best regards
Mario Bruneau at http://pianotuninghowto.com