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Book for instructing apprentice

  • 1.  Book for instructing apprentice

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-04-2018 07:56

    Hello All

     

    I am very happy to report that I have a new apprentice.  We are scheduled to start her tuning lessons tomorrow, and within a few months move on to regulation and repair.  In the 80's I used the book by Reblitz but don't have it anymore.  Can any of you recommend a good book for a beginner?  She doesn't anticipate getting into rebuilding, although of course it's good to be exposed to that.

     

    Loren



  • 2.  RE: Book for instructing apprentice

    Posted 06-04-2018 08:12
    pianosinsideout  by Mario Igrec

    Comprehensive and excellent!

    ------------------------------
    Jim Ialeggio
    grandpianosolutions.com
    Shirley, MA
    978 425-9026
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Book for instructing apprentice

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-04-2018 08:31
    What Jim said. As soon as it came out, Mario's book became the go-to text for those entering our field.

    There are many beginners out there who learn how to tune adequately, but whose regulation and repair chops lag behind their tuning skills. I would encourage you to not wait to get started on those other skills. In fact, if this is a true, traditional master/apprentice relationship, tuning will not yield any return for you for a long time, whereas she should be able to make a productive contribution in regulation and repairs well before she can lighten your tuning load. My apprentices don't start to learn tuning until they are already contributing in other areas. 

    One of the central questions is: What is the focus of your relationship with her as an apprentice, her education, or adding to the productivity of your operation? Of course the two can go hand-in-hand. But I have seen so many master/apprentice relationships sour because goals and expectations were not clearly defined from the get-go.

    More than you asked for, I know, but you have touched on a subject near and dear to me.

    Good luck!

    Alan


    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Book for instructing apprentice

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-04-2018 10:37
    Hi Loren,

    Ive been reading though Jim Busby's Piano Technician Tutorials. They're available as iBooks or eBooks.

    While the series is not yet complete, Jim has published three with the intent of publishing more soon: 

    Vertical Regulation and an Introduction to Piano Service 

    Grand Regulation and an Introduction to Concert Work

    Complete Piano Voicing: Pragmatic, Intuitive, Inclusive 

    The series is not as all inclusive as Mario's book, but I feel that it's good, solid training. The beauty of an ebook format is that it can include words, pictures, and video in the same source. That type of training will work for about 90% of people. Of course, you should still oversee, but I think she'll get the point sooner rather than later.

    And the price is right, too. $25, $25, and $35, respectively. Just have her buy whatever one you want her to work on for that week (or month, or however long).

    Like I said, it's not all inclusive, but it's a good start, or at least a good supplement. Hope this helps,

    ------------------------------
    Benjamin Sanchez
    Professional Piano Services
    (805)315-8050
    www.professional-piano-services.com
    BenPianoPro@comcast.net
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Book for instructing apprentice

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-04-2018 11:09
    What is PTG's answer to this question? Sadly, PTG has no clear answer.

    Richard West

    Sent from my iPad



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Book for instructing apprentice

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-04-2018 12:55
    Some very good videos in the PTG Academy online. There is a task group working on improving online education offerings.

    ------------------------------
    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Book for instructing apprentice

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-04-2018 13:01
    Thanks for the info, Larry. I'm glad to hear there's a task group working on educational materials. And, FYI, it's June in Tucson and we'll be hitting 106 or higher, a bit warmer than WI.

    Richard West





    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Book for instructing apprentice

    Posted 06-04-2018 18:35
    I think a book is of no value to a beginner. They are there to learn your way of doing things. Having a book will introduce someone else's way of doing things. Creating confusion. I think a book becomes of value when the student has served an apprenticeship and is ready to move forward and surpass the instructor. Then a book can be valuable.
    -chris

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    45 2020

    chernobieffpiano.com
    865-986-7720
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Book for instructing apprentice

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-04-2018 21:56
    Hi Chris,

    I see your point, but have to disagree. We all learn in different ways. Some do exceptionally well with a book, others do not. Some need the visual to learn; others not as much. A mentor can be such a blessing, but if the mentor is not a natural teacher, assigning a chapter to read can be of much assistance when trying to teach someone. 

    Occassionally what happens is that the mentor knows only one way of doing things. Which is totally fine, if it works well for them. But sometimes a book will represent a differing opinion, which is also totally fine. Yes, we don't want to introduce confusion; at the same time, we want the student to find a way that works for them, that's natural for them. 

    So from the standpoint of the mentor, it may or may not be helpful to teach with the aid of a book. From the standpoint of the student, I think it would be very beneficial. After all, we all learn differently and at different rates.

    ------------------------------
    Benjamin Sanchez
    Professional Piano Services
    (805)315-8050
    www.professional-piano-services.com
    BenPianoPro@comcast.net
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Book for instructing apprentice

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-06-2018 08:11

    Chris,

    Not sure if you are speaking from your experience as an apprentice or a master, or perhaps both. Your comment implies that you have apprentices and do not encourage them to read books or watch videos about piano technology, follow these online lists, or attend PTG meetings, seminars, conferences or conventions, at least, not until they are ready to "surpass" you. For what it's worth, I take an opposite tack.  

    For one thing, I couldn't be less interested in "holding someone's hand," so to speak, as I teach them the names of piano parts. A worthy apprentice must be self-motivated enough to assimilate these readily available facts on their own rather take up my time with it. "Books," whether paper or digital, sure are a handy source of this general information.

    It may be true that a dog can only have one master, but a reasonably mature human, someone whose mind has been around the block a few times, should be able to benefit form the dialectic of differing viewpoints fairly early on in the training process. While I agree that many different approaches and ideas can lead to confusion if presented before basic concepts and goals have been established, I want my apprentices to be exposed to a plurality of approaches and to start thinking for themselves as soon as possible. And the sooner that happens, the sooner they should be able to assimilate and learn from differing points of view rather than be confounded by them. 

    Alan

     



    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Book for instructing apprentice

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-06-2018 08:05
    Richard,

    Your point is well-taken, and ironic in light of the fact that training, particularly in the context of a master/apprentice relationship, is at the core of what guilds are traditionally about.

    Alan

    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Book for instructing apprentice

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-05-2018 03:50
    I learned from Reblitz, but the Igrec book is very good.

    By the time you are competent you should have read them both... 10 times!

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    Blaine Hebert
    Duarte CA
    626-795-5170
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    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Book for instructing apprentice

    Posted 06-05-2018 19:53
    Consider the Randy Potter course. If she really want to become a piano technician and learn all aspects of on-site piano service, IMHO, it is the best source for a complete package of information. I went through his course 20 years ago. I have several college degrees, and as such I think I have some fair exposure to what constitutes a good education. I can only assume his course is better now. Back then (and perhaps now) the written material was a bit wordy - he could have cut half of it out - but still the content is very thorough and accurate. If you have any specific questions about it, I'b be happy to share what I can.

    ------------------------------
    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
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    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Book for instructing apprentice

    Posted 06-05-2018 20:17
    The Jim Busby eBooks are newly written and give a range of information broader than their titles indicate at a remarkably low price.


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    Ed Sutton
    ed440@me.com
    (980) 254-7413
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    Original Message