Pianotech

Hello All!

Some of you may be aware of the "Appalachian Piano Tech Camp" created by John Parham and me at the Appalachian South Folklife Center in southern WV. It's a 2 day long workshop on regulation and repair in a summer camp type of setting. This coming May will be its third year, and there will be two camps this year instead of just one. It was originally created for those in rural Appalachia and surrounding areas to help fill a need in an educational desert, but it was popular and grew, so now with 2 camps it will be open to everyone and will be promoted more this year. It's a pretty good deal with a $100 base price that includes a dorm and basic food. Keep an eye out for the registration notification in January or February! 

This note is to ask for thoughts & feedback about a tuning camp possibility. It would be one week long (May 5-12) and would be limited to 6 participants (because I have 6 pianos). It would cover basic tuning theory and tuning concepts that can be put together for more effective practice of aural tuning. There will be a "classroom" setting where we learn certain concepts, then we break up so participants can practice each concept on their piano. 

No food would be provided, but there is a commercial kitchen and 2 refrigerators that can be shared so people can prepare their own food. Because of taking up an entire week with so few participants, not to mention I have to move pianos, I can't get the cost below $500, but that includes a semi-private dorm room (or camping spot). 

Do you all this this might have some appeal, and does it sound like it would be worth the cost? 

Thanks for any input you can share!

Maggie

Hi Maggie,

That sounds great! I would love to attend the tuning camp.

Will the tuning camp possibly be close enough to the 2 day workshop that one could attend both? My goal is to become a RPT this coming year and then work on becoming a CTE. And a camp to get down all the basics would be very helpful.

My Dad is from Harlan, KY and I lived there for a bit as a kid. I haven't been back to Appalachia as an adult and have been wanting to make a trip through there.

Thanks for all of the hard work putting these on.

Hi Gannon! Yes, the tuning camp will be just before or just after the tech camps. Our initial proposed dates were May 4-11, but now we're looking at May 21-28(or 29). Things are still in the planning phase. Thanks for the interest!