A Beginner's Roadmap

Welcome! 

You have just embarked on your journey as a piano technician. The road ahead is exciting and fulfilling, but it can also feel overwhelming at first. Rest assured, we are all learning and refining our craft. It is our hope that this roadmap will prove useful to you as you set out to build your career. 
Guidepost #1 - Familiarize Yourself with the Resources 
In reality, you've already reached the first guidepost on your journey by joining the Piano Technicians Guild! As a member of the Guild you have access to exclusive benefits, including:
Guidepost #2 - Familiarize Yourself with the Tools 

There are so many tools that are unique to our trade. The Guild has published a Checklist, as well as a Guide for Building a Basic Tool Kit. The Journal also featured an in-depth article series entitled "What to Buy: A Series for Beginning Technicians." 

The Checklist, Guide and Article Series can be viewed and downloaded below. 
Beginner Tool Checklist
Guide for Building a Basic Tool Kit
What to Buy: A Series for Beginning Technicians
Guidepost #3 - Familiarize Yourself with the Trade

Piano Technology has so many interrelated fields. 

The foundational aspects of what a piano technician must learn might be described as follows:

1. The Tuning of the Piano 
2. The Touch of the Piano (or Regulation)
3. The Tone of the Piano (or Voicing) 

Of course, these are only the beginning. We also work with: 

4. Repairs 
5. Rebuilding 
6. And More! 

We invite you to visit our Resource Page to see a list of topics and discover more about each one. Additionally, the Education Committee is working toward the creation of Curricula that organize these resources into sequential units that can be studied. As well as assessments for each level. Be sure to take advantage of these Curricula as you get started! 

Guidepost #4 - Familiarize Yourself with the Industry

Now that you know you want to be a piano technician, you can now decide in what area of the industry you desire to work. For example, you could work for:

1. Yourself
2. A Piano Dealer 
3. A Piano Manufacture 
4. A College or University 
5. A Rebuilding Shop
6. A Combination of the Above 

Each of the above areas have their own pros and cons. As you start out in your journey, it is worth exploring each area to determine where you feel you will thrive! 

The competencies map linked below can give you a feel for what each area might include. 
Competencies Map
Guidepost #5 - Get Involved! 

What you get out of your PTG membership largely depends on what you put into it. This is why it's so important to get involved! Don't let inexperience stop you. What are you passionate about? What talents do you have? 

Perhaps you are a gifted writer? Or perhaps you are a natural teacher and educator? Does management excite you? What about event planning? Leadership opportunities? Working on a team? 

Fortunately, there are many ways that you can get involved. We will list some of them below. 

1. Local Chapter Leadership Opportunities 
2. Regional or National Leadership Opportunities  
3. Serve as a Delegate for your Chapter at an Upcoming Convention
4. Teach a Class for your Chapter, or at a Regional or National Convention 
5. Submit an Article to the Journal
6. Serve on a Committee or Task Group 
7. Help Plan the Next Convention
8. Become an Examiner (after you pass your RPT Exams)

Don't be afraid. Often all you need to do is ask and you will be surprised by how excited these groups are to welcome you to their team!  

Guidepost #6 - Make Plans to Become a Registered Piano Technician

It's never too early to start mapping out your path to become a Registered Piano Technician! 

To reach this goal you will need to pass a series of exams:

1. Written Exam (covering the foundational knowledge of our trade)
2. Tuning Exam (covering aural temperament tuning and stability) 
3. Technical Exam (covering repairs, vertical and grand regulation) 

Exams are offered at Regional and National Conventions each year, as well as through Examiners located throughout the United States (and even the world). 

Accomplishing this will ensure your confidence and success as you strive to build your career as a Piano Technician! Visit the Path to RPT Certification Page for more details.