I'm not sure PTG has done a good job is advocating for aural tuning and searching for ways to address a critical need, the teaching of aural tuning. Here's input from that meeting at the convention, from 10 or 15 people. They have such good points.
The Importance of Aural Tuning in Modern Times
from a hastily called, open meeting at the Tucson PTG convention, San Ignacio room, Friday, July 12, 2019
Aural tuning keeps me in touch with the real world, a tactile connection that counters the screen filled world of computers, phones, etc.
Tuning becomes my own artwork.
I have confidence that I can work without an ETD.
I'm more than an expert in my job; I'm a professional with a career.
Maybe only 5% of the people I tune for hear the difference, but there's a good chance that those few people are the very ones whose opinion matters to the other 95% that don't hear a difference. Word of mouth endorsement makes a difference.
Competence in aural tuning creates a storehouse of professional knowledge. Knowing the vocabulary and language of aural tuning improves my status as a profession, even if I don't use it every day.
The more knowledge I have, the better and more varied my business will be. I'll be better at selling myself and my services.
Aural tuning of keyboards has a tradition of 300 years or more.
Aural tuning enhances voicing skills. In fact high level voicing skills may not be achievable without good tuning skills.
Customers may wonder whether a tuner can actually hear what the are doing.
Being able to tune intervals aurally, improves my ability to be able to tune unisons.
I can tune when the ETD fails,
ETD's can have problems with poorly scaled pianos, especially at the bass/tenor break.
If you have no clue about how a piano should sound, you can't get short pianos to be their best.
If something happens in the middle of a concert, you may be in trouble. If you have to touch up, but the orchestra ran late and time is limited, can you easily do a touchup? A quick aural check my be better.
Some professional pianists (George Winston, for example) are able to find tuning problems and expect you to be able to fix them.
Sometimes complaints about "tuning" actually about tone. How do you know the difference?
There are career issues. Many prestigious colleges and universities expect technicians to be able to tune aurally.
If you're using your ETD throughout the piano, going back to be sure that nothing has shifted is more easily done aurally.
Pride! Boosted ego!
The whole thing is an aural event.
Steinway has only aural tuners.