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NEECSO Handbook - PTG Nashua 2016
Page 32 Technical Institute Notes ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ PIANO TECHNICIANS GUILD Page 2 Welcome PTG Nashua 2016 • NEECSO We thank everyone contributing to make this conference possible. We are especially grateful to all the Instructors who are giving their valuable time and knowledge to help us become better piano technicians. The Exhibitors, who supply us with the tools, materials and products to enhance and complete our jobs. We particularly want to recognize the Convention and Special Event sponsors for their gracious support toward making our daily and evening events possible and more enjoyable. Please wear your nametag to all classes and events (Nametags are coded for the Technical Institute, Events and Meals) Help … Questions … and Registration Desk is closed call 215-534-0533 or 267-994-5742 PTG Meeting Reminder … Piano Technicians Guild - Northeast Region Friday, 12:30 pm, Boardroom PTG Northeast Regional Vice President: Marc Poulin, RPT PTG Secretary-Treasurer: Paul Adams, RPT NEECSO Meeting Reminder … New England Eastern Canada Seminar Organization Saturday, 12:30 pm, Boardroom NEECSO President: Doug Tybor, RPT Crowne Plaza Nashua Page 3 Page 4 Exhibit Hall Exhibit Hall Hours: Friday 9 am - 6 pm • Saturday 9 am - 4 pm Sponsors Page 5 Thank You! to the Sponsors for their gracious support in making this a more enjoyable experience for our technicians Please visit and thank them at their NEECSO booths STUDENT SPONSOR Page 6 Thursday, April 14 All-Day Seminars - Registration Required Breakfast Buffet Breaks 6:30 am - 9:00 am Bountiful Breakfast Buffet Lunch Buffet 11:45 am - 12:45 pm Mid-Morning Pretzels • Chips • Popcorn 9:30 am - 10:15 am Sandwich Wrap Buffet Mid-Afternoon Variety including Vegetable 2:45 pm - 3:30 pm Coffee & Soft Drinks Snacks Coffee • Tea Assorted Drinks Welcome Reception Registration - Complete or A La Carte 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm • Hunt Club Begin the convention by greeting old and making new friends as you relax and enjoy an evening of fine food and good company Prime Rib Buffet Prime Rib … You’ll Love it Tender … Includes Vegetarian Entree and Soup du Jour Sautéed Vegetables and Baked Potato Bar Field Greens Salad and Freshly Baked Rolls Soft Drinks • Freshly Brewed Coffee • Cash Bar Introducing … Steinway & Sons SPIRIO Reception Entertainment Don’t miss this exclusive look at Steinway & Sons first NEW product in over 70 years! It is the inaugural introduction of the SPIRIO to the piano technician community. The new Steinway & Sons SPIRIO is a high-resolution player piano that provides a musical experience indistinguishable from a live performance. Thursday Schedule Page 7 Page 8 Friday, April 15 NEECSO Café includes ... Breakfast Buffet 6:30 am - 9:00 am Bountiful Breakfast Buffet Breaks Lunch Buffet 11:45 am - 12:45 pm Mid-Morning 9:30 am - 10:15 am Pretzels • Chips • Popcorn Sandwich Wrap Buffet Mid-Afternoon Variety including Vegetable 2:45 pm - 3:30 pm Coffee & Soft Drinks Snacks Coffee • Tea Assorted Drinks After Dinner Mint Registration - Complete or A La Carte 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm • Hunt Club After dinner Friday, cap off the evening with a selection of desserts, juice and fresh brewed coffee as you relax with your friends at the Hunt Club. An Evening of … PitchLock Piano Bar ► Come Sing Along! Open for All Attendees • 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm • Hunt Club Featuring a piano, microphones and "on screen" projected song lyrics. And to get the evening going, two drink coupons will be provided. Come sing with your friends … Guaranteed FUN! Associate Members Registered Piano Technician Exam Prep Classes Prepare for the “Walk to RPT” Written • Technical • Tuning Friday Schedule Page 9 Page 10 Saturday, April 16 NEECSO Café includes ... Breakfast Buffet 6:30 am - 9:00 am Bountiful Breakfast Buffet Breaks Lunch Buffet 11:45 am - 12:45 pm Mid-Morning Pretzels • Chips • Popcorn 9:30 am - 10:15 am Sandwich Wrap Buffet Mid-Afternoon Variety including Vegetable 2:45 pm - 3:30 pm Coffee & Soft Drinks Snacks Coffee • Tea Assorted Drinks PTG NEECSO Banquet and Grand Buffet Registration - Complete or A La Carte Reception: 6 pm - 6:30 pm • Dinner: 6:30 pm - 8 pm • Somerset Ballroom Gnocchi in a Herb Sauce • Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque Mixed Baby Greens with Vegetables & House Made Dressings Baked Multi-Grain Breads, Cheese & Dill Rolls with Butter Chef selected fresh Vegetable and Potato LIFETIME AWARD Tournedos of Beef Grilled Garlic Sage Rubbed Beef Medallions Apple Wood Bacon Mushroom Bordelaise New England Stuffed Chicken Caramelized Apple Raisin Stuffed Chicken Breast Brandy Laced Maple Chive Sauce English Pea Risotto Creamy Risotto, English Peas, Garden Vegetables, Stuffed in a Portabella Mushroom • Caramelized Onion Plum Tomato Ragu Iced Chocolate Decadence Cake • Boston Cream Torte Iced Tea • Fresh Brewed Coffee and Assorted Tea • Cash Bar Special Lifetime Achievement Award Family and Friends Enjoy a fun-filled weekend with family and friends. All are welcome to the NEECSO events. Check In at the Registration Desk VISIT NEW HAMPSHIRE has provided Things To Do and Area Information at the Registration Desk Saturday Schedule Page 11 Page 12 Sunday, April 17 NEECSO Brunch Buffet and Closing Rally Finish the final day with a hearty ’Game Day’ meal … 11:15 am - 12:15 pm • Somerset Ballroom Assorted Fresh Fruit Juices Scrambled Eggs • French Toast Crisp Bacon and Sausage Home Fried Potatoes Featured Breakfast Entrée Fruit Filled Danish • Homemade Muffins Fresh Seasonal Fruit Assorted Salads Handcrafted Chef Selected Tapas Featured Meat Entrée • Signature Pasta Entrée Array of Desserts Freshly Brewed Coffee & Iced Tea During the NEECSO Brunch Buffet, enjoy a brief Closing Ceremony including the Grand Prize Giveaway and more! Sunday Closing Rally NEECSO Brunch Buffet and Closing Rally Grand Prize Giveaway and much more! MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN See complete information and any updates Classes • Instructor’s Bio • Schedules • Events For Smartphones, Tablets, and Laptops WWW.PTGNEECSO.ORG Sunday Schedule Page 13 Page 14 Technical Institute Schedule Worksheet Friday, April 15 Session 1 Preference: ________________ Classroom: ____________ 8:00-9:30 Alternate: ________________ Classroom: ____________ Session 2 Preference: ________________ Classroom: ____________ Alternate: ________________ Classroom: ____________ Session 3 Preference: ________________ Classroom: ____________ 1:15-2:45 Alternate: ________________ Classroom: ____________ Session 4 Preference: ________________ Classroom: ____________ 3:30-5:00 Alternate: ________________ Classroom: ____________ Saturday, April 16 Session 5 Preference: ________________ Classroom: ____________ 8:00-9:30 Alternate: ________________ Classroom: ____________ Session 6 Preference: ________________ Classroom: ____________ Alternate: ________________ Classroom: ____________ Session 7 Preference: ________________ Classroom: ____________ 1:15-2:45 Alternate: ________________ Classroom: ____________ Session 8 Preference: ________________ Classroom: ____________ 3:30-5:00 Alternate: ________________ Classroom: ____________ Sunday, April 17 Session 9 Preference: ________________ Classroom: ____________ 8:00-9:30 Alternate: ________________ Classroom: ____________ Preference: ________________ Classroom: ____________ 9:45-11:15 Alternate: ________________ Classroom: ____________ Technical Institute Page 15 Notes ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Page 16 Technical Institute Class and Description Technical Institute Page 17 Class and Description Tuning Pass the Tuning Exam the First Time Techniques for Mastering the Mid-Range Butter Your Tunings Randy Potter, RPT - Potter School of Piano Technology - Portland, OR Gregory P. Cheng, RPT - Jacobs Music - Southeastern Pennsylvania Friday, Session 4, Somerset A Classroom How an extra 5 to 10 minutes during a tuning appointment can lead to a lifetime of satisfaction and improvement for both the customer and technician. Learn to apply a service level of voicing to create a better tuning for your customers. The methods shown in this class can be handled by all levels of technicians. While employing these methods the technician will gradually enhance voicing proficiency as well as providing a better service for the customer. Concert Preparation and Pitfalls John Cavanaugh, RPT - Oberlin College & Conservatory - Cleveland, OH Saturday, Sessions 7 and 8, Amphitheater Classroom Pianos on stage are in various states of concert readiness. The concert technician must ascertain the priority of what must be done to the piano given the time allowed to prepare it for performance. This class looks at assessing the state of the piano onstage and prioritizing what needs to be focused on before the concert begins. Using the time allowed for the class, technicians will decide what has to be done, what is superfluous given the time allotted, and what methods in regulation and voicing will yield the best results. Friday, Session 4, Somerset D Classroom From examiners and examinees I talk to, many (some say most) who fail the aural portion of the Tuning Exam actually passed the Temperament Octave (13 notes), but failed the 11 remaining notes in the Mid-Range. Come learn why this happens, and how to tune smooth octaves, not just in the center but also extending your good temperament into the treble and bass (whether or not you are using an ETD, or tuning strictly aurally). Refined Tunings with ETD's Eric Johnson, RPT - Eric Johnson Pianos - Connecticut Friday, Session 1, Somerset D Classroom Saturday, Session 8, Trafalgar A Classroom How to get clean, clear sweet tunings using an ETD and your ears. Concentrating on the idea of training ones ear to hear increasingly subtle aspects of piano sound. Six Things You Need to Know to Tune a Temperament Randy Potter, RPT - Potter School of Piano Technology - Portland, OR Friday, Session 2, Somerset D Classroom Perhaps one of the reasons people have so much trouble learning temperament tuning is because it is made out to be so hard. Its not as complicated as we sometimes make it seem. There are only six things you need to know, and be able to do, in order to tune a temperament. So lets go back to the basics – and get on with it. Ergonomic Tuning: Tools and Techniques Test Your Tuning Nate Reyburn, RPT - Reyburn Piano Tech - Western Michigan Gregory P. Cheng, RPT - Jacobs Music - Southeastern PA Saturday, Session 5, Somerset D Classroom Friday, Session 3, Somerset A Classroom Using the right tools the right way is crucial for beginners and veterans. This hands-on class introduces ways to reduce tuning stress on your body using both impact hammers and the traditional rigid lever. We'll cover the basics as well as some advanced tips, and then offer hands-on instruction. We all have procedures and methods for tuning a piano. A definite sequence combined with a catalog of tests will get you a nice tuning, but how do you test your tuning? We will discuss the catalog of definite interval tests, goals to achieve through out the tuning procedure, and tricks that will ensure a solid tuning. Page 18 Technical Institute Class and Description Service and Repair Action Centers The Secret of Consistent Touch Don Mannino, RPT - Kawai America - South Bay, CA Saturday, Session 5, Trafalgar B Classroom This class is in two parts within the one class session. The first focuses on conceptualizing action center operation and service, and the second demonstrates an efficient and highly accurate method for recentering using sized broaches. The discussion will include evaluating the amount of friction needed for any given action part, the effects of pinning on touch and tone, and dealing with the various types of bushing cloths encountered. Glue, Glorious Glue! Emily Townsend, RPT - North Bennet Street School - Boston, MA Saturday, Session 6, Somerset A Classroom Not all glues are created equal. Many different materials are used in different contexts in piano construction. As a technician, it's important to understand how different glues interact with those different materials so you can use the right glue for the right repair. Which glues should you keep in your tool case? Your car? Your shop? This class will discuss different types of glues and how they work, plus where and when they should each be used. How Our Work Affects the Pianist Mario Igrec, M. Mus - North Bennet Street School - Boston, MA Saturday, Session 5, Trafalgar A Classroom Sunday, Session 9, Somerset D Classroom What do letoff, knuckle friction, boring distance, and bridge notching have in common? They make or break our most valuable customer - the pianist. In this intriguing and highly interactive class, Mario Igrec plays musical examples to demonstrate how those and other critical aspects of our work support or hamper the pianist's ability to convey musical ideas. What are we obsessing over too much and what are we neglecting? What yields greatest benefits for the pianist? Find out, sharpen your focus, and rediscover the purpose of our work. Technical Institute Page 19 Class and Description Make It Shine! Polyester Finish Service and Repair All-Day Thursday Seminar - Registration Required Ruth Zeiner, RPT - Allied Piano LakeOne USA - Southeastern PA Thursday All-Day, Sessions A thru D, Boardroom Classroom Having the skills to cope with scratches, dings and gouges in piano cases greatly enhances your value to your customers and dealers. Add to your income in surprisingly simple ways. Many nicks and scratches are easy to repair with minimal material investment. All are learnable and not difficult with practice. This seminar concentrates on the repair and polishing of high gloss polyester finishes. New Customer, Old Dampp-Chaser Charles Rempel - Dampp-Chaser Corporation - Western Carolinas, NC Friday, Session 2, Somerset F Classroom Often we inherit customers or gain new customers with Dampp-Chaser systems. How is the system? Was it properly installed? Are there upgrades that the customer needs? These are questions we should be asking and more. We will discuss how to inspect, find the age, and determine if the system is working properly and how remedy to these issues. Practical Touch™ Analysis A Four-step, Non-invasive Grand Touch Evaluation Method Mario Igrec, M. Mus - North Bennet Street School - Boston, MA Friday, Sessions 1 and 2, Trafalgar B Classroom If you haven't pursued optimizing grand piano touch because you think it takes too much time and effort, this class is for you. Learn how to assess touch in minutes, without disassembly or even pulling the action from the piano. Multiple non-invasive measurement techniques will be explained, as well as how to interpret them quickly using the free Practical Touch Analysis calculator. Available solutions will be discussed from the perspective of practicality, and real -world budget and time constraints. Whether you are starting with brand new parts or analyzing a completely assembled action, this time-saving approach will put you in control and allow you to improve the outcome of your action work with little additional time - and cost - added to your projects. Traditional Finish Repair Ruth Zeiner, RPT - Allied Piano LakeOne USA - Southeastern PA Saturday, Session 7, Somerset F Classroom See demonstrations of the touch-up of traditional finishes. Learn how to make repairs and de-gunk the finish. Burn-ins, color matching, pigments vs. dyes and other subjects will be covered. Effort will be made to use camera technology which will allow you to clearly see repairs as they are made. Page 20 Technical Institute Class and Description Technical Institute Class and Description Service and Repair Regulation What Makes Me Sing A Journey to the Heart of Piano Tone From the Bed to the Strings Jude Reveley, RPT - Absolute Piano Restoration - Boston, MA Friday, Session 4, Trafalgar B Classroom Sunday, Session 10, Somerset D Classroom Designed to educate in-home technicians (as well as beginner to intermediate rebuilders) on the requisite ingredients of successful piano tone. Topics of discussion will include the science of soundboard and scale design, the components of touch, understanding our role as service technicians, and Enhanced Performance Modifications (EPMs). When Bad Things Happen to Good Pianos Kent Webb - Steinway & Sons - New York City Friday, Session 1, Somerset E Classroom As we service pianos daily we encounter many diverse situations. Pianos span a wide range of styles, ages, and conditions and the problems we address reflect this diversity. Often it is true that diagnosis is ninety percent of the cure. Problems we rarely encounter can waste valuable time as we search for the causes. This class will explore the evaluation and the solutions for problems we must correct and demonstrate the procedures and tools required to properly perform these repairs. Working Smarter David Durben, RPT - Yamaha Corporation - Pomona Valley, CA Friday, Sessions 3 and 4, Trafalgar A Classroom Effective Efficiency is a great start, but we need to dig a bit deeper. In this class we will show methods and more about how to get a piano into proper shape for just about any use, in such a way that you will not only know how to do the work, but also how to sell the work. When Good Isn't Good Enough Arlan Harris, RPT - Arlan Harris Productions - New York City Friday, Session 2, Trafalgar A Classroom We all seem to draw a line when we feel the work has been completed and at a satisfactory level. Arlan shows how to “Raise the bar” and will demonstrate and explain how to bring your personal threshold to a higher level. The benefits are increased self-esteem, income, respect, and joy in striving for enabling the piano to be the best it can be. A handout is provided for all participants. Concepts, theories, business advise, and demonstrations with a Q/A session included! Page 21 John Cavanaugh, RPT - Oberlin College - Cleveland, OH Sunday, Session 9, Trafalgar A Classroom Regulation, tuning and voicing must be built on a solid foundation to ensure excellent touch and tone. This class investigates the importance of such a foundation giving regulation that “plumb and true” build from the keyframe to the point of hammer contact on the string. Full Keyframe Bedding Grandwork Regulation Protocol - Part 1 Christopher Brown, RPT - TPR Tools LLC - Boston, MA Friday, Sessions 3 and 4, Somerset E Classroom This two-period class teaches the bedding, sampling, and setup portions of the Grandwork Regulation Protocol, a grand regulation pathway that features one trip out from and one trip back to the piano, with steps in a specific order. Build the foundation well and the regulation above it will be stable. Understand sampling and referencing well and the work you do out of the piano will work correctly back in the piano. If you need to solve a problem or produce superior results, these steps work. Grand Damper Regulation With 3 Tools Scott Jones, RPT - PitchLock - Central Pennsylvania Saturday, Session 6, Trafalgar A Classroom Sunday, Session 10, Trafalgar A Classroom If you master these three tools, grand damper regulation will no longer haunt you! These tips, techniques and (very important) order of regulation can make the difference between success and disaster. Remember that "damper" spelled backward is "fool’s misery". Grand Service for Touch and Tone Kent Webb - Steinway & Sons - New York City Friday, Session 4, Amphitheater Classroom The design of a piano defines it’s character - the successful regulation of touch and tone enables a pianist to develop its range of personality. In this fast-paced class, Kent will discuss the most beneficial tone and action adjustments that maximize the performance dynamics of a grand plus tips and techniques to bring out the best in the Steinway grand piano. Page 22 Technical Institute Class and Description Technical Institute Class and Description Regulation Vertical Action Regulation Maximum Results in Minimum Time Grand Satisfaction Regulation Master Class Don Mannino, RPT - Kawai America - South Bay, CA All-Day Thursday Seminar - Registration Required Eric Schandall, RPT - Piano Service Oslo, Norway - New York City John Cavanaugh, RPT - Oberlin College - Cleveland, OH Thursday All-Day, Sessions A thru D, Amphitheater Classroom Of course the biggest “Satisfaction” to producing great piano touch (and tone) is practice and experience. Join Eric and John as they explore other practical secrets from within the art of fine piano preparation. A good quality regulation is understanding how each adjustment effects the whole, examining the cause and effect of each procedure. We will also cover regulation in the real world of time and budget constraints and help you gain confidence and efficiency in routine piano service. Regulating the Vertical Piano Eric Schandall, RPT - Piano Service Oslo, Norway - New York City Friday, Session 3, Amphitheater Classroom The upright or vertical piano is for many piano technicians a considerable part of our business and in the beginning of our careers often comprised a majority of the work. Many aspects of regulating will be discussed and demonstrated, including work on those pianos with sostenuto systems. We will examine sostenuto systems in grand pianos as a basis for understanding the principals in vertical systems as well. While particular attention will be paid to Steinway & Sons pianos, the discussion will be applicable throughout, to many makers’ instruments. Page 23 Sunday, Sessions 9 and 10, Trafalgar B Classroom Focusing on the goals of regulation and how to fulfill them in the least amount of time. Covered will be how to make the piano work best within normal specifications, which tools to buy and which procedures to follow to insure the best results. An excellent class for those who want to get a better handle on making vertical piano actions perform at their optimum while being as efficient and profitable as possible. Whole Action Regulating Grandwork Regulation Protocol - Part 2 Christopher Brown, RPT - TPR Tools LLC - Boston, MA Saturday, Sessions 5 and 6, Somerset E Classroom This two-period grand regulation class will take you by a simple route from prepping grand action parts to hammers fully mated to their strings, at pitch and in tune, i.e., in their best voice for voicing! With this method and order, unravel grand action complexities into a string of achievable steps. Put the pieces in place, and the principles that aim them, to be on target with each grand regulation. This approach helps to clarify what you get for what you do, which helps scale work to available time and budget. Voicing Upright Dampers, Friend or Foe? Art of Tone Crafting T. Michael Carraher, RPT - Hailun - South Central Pennsylvania Keith A. Bowman, RPT - Hailun - South Central Pennsylvania Arlan Harris, RPT - Arlan Harris Productions - New York City Saturday, Sessions 7 and 8, Somerset D Classroom The finer details of tone regulation requires skill and an artistic approach to improving the overall sound. A wide variety of techniques, concepts, and approaches will be discussed and demonstrated. The changes will be able to be heard and detail work with hammers and other components can be seen easily on a large screen. A handout is provided for all participants. Intermediate to advanced, but beginners are welcome. Q/A session included! What will ruin an otherwise perfect action regulation? Poor damper work. Join Keith and Mike for this comprehensive class including action regulation review, the damper drive train, tool demos, diagnosing and correcting damping problems, felt replacement, underlever reconditioning, trap work and more. Learn the real secret to achieving performance level action regulation. Saturday, Sessions 5 and 6, Amphitheater Classroom Page 24 Technical Institute Class and Description Technical Institute Page 25 Class and Description Voicing Design and Specialty Practical Approach To Voicing Harpsichord Maintenance for the Piano Technicians Eric Johnson, RPT - Eric Johnson Pianos - Connecticut Friday, Session 3, Somerset D Classroom Douglas Kirkwood, RPT - Piano Horizons - New Hampshire Saturday, Session 5, Boardroom Classroom Tips and tricks for developing your skills, expanding your business and staying out of trouble. Encouraging techs to expand their ideas of what piano tone is and to become more refined and discriminating in how they listen to pianos. Occasionally, piano technicians are asked if they can tune or fix a harpsichord. However, unlike pianos which all have the same basic design, the number of different harpsichord designs is greater than the number of builders. Nevertheless, a knowledge of the general principles which govern the operation of all harpsichords can enable the technician to apply them to a specific instrument. Among these will be string replacement, repair and regulation of jacks, dampers, stops, lower guides, pedals, plectra, soundboards, keyboards registers and voicing. The Craft of Voicing Boaz Kirschenbaum, RPT - Vintage Tone Tool Co. - Boston, MA Friday, Sessions 1 and 2, Amphitheater Classroom Become a more focused, mindful and artistic voicer...and work quickly and efficiently! There will be a hands-on and HD video presentation of specific voicing techniques, gleaned from both NY and Hamburg Steinway factories. Learn about the voicing tools and "chemistry" used by Steinway C&A. Boaz will discuss softpressed hammers vs. tension-compression hammers, and how to quickly solve some of the more common voicing problems found in both types. There will be a demonstration of some of the newest voicing tools now available. Voicing Master Class All-Day Thursday Seminar - Registration Required Don Mannino, RPT - Kawai America - South Bay, CA Thursday All-Day, Sessions A thru D, Trafalgar B Classroom A unique opportunity to learn detailed voicing techniques by one of the masters. The first 12 registered volunteers will assist with the hands-on 'problem/solution' techniques in front of the class. After an introductory discussion of Kawai hammer construction and voicing techniques, the class will be guided through the process of building the tone in selected new (unvoiced) hammers in a Kawai grand piano. Voicing the Treble In Grand Pianos Tuning Hammer Techniques and A Little About the Human Ear Eric Schandall, RPT - Piano Service Oslo, Norway - New York City Sunday, Sessions 9 and 10, Amphitheater Classroom Focus on voicing the treble section of grand pianos. It is typically the most difficult area for building power, and developing tone and sustain. Many techniques will be suggested for helping with this area, with demonstrations as time allows. We will also talk a bit about how we hear, and offer some observations about tuning hammer techniques that will help in achieving stability in your tunings. New Touch Tools Scott Jones, RPT - PitchLock - Central Pennsylvania Saturday, Session 8, Somerset F Classroom PitchLock Inc. continues to develop tools and techniques that improve both piano performance and service. In addition to our popular TOUCHRAIL, we'll see how the new DIALaPRESS, TOUCHSCALE and FELT KEY PLUGS (as seen in our recent PTG journal ads) can make touch weight adjustment more accurate and profitable. Piano, How Are You! Keena Keel, RPT - Author and Technician - New Hampshire Friday, Session 3, Somerset F Classroom Saturday, Session 8, Boardroom Classroom Keena will explore educating customers along with generating new and additional business. The book Piano, How Are You! will be discussed with the author. Class participant stories will be compiled for the PTG Journal. Required Reading for Piano Technicians Gregory P. Cheng, RPT - Jacobs Music - Southeastern Pennsylvania Saturday, Session 7, Boardroom Classroom Hands-on learning, coupled with personal experience, is great but what if you could enhance your hands-on knowledge with theoretical and practical knowledge that is readily available to us. We’ll go through the required text every technician should have, discuss the pitfalls of only book knowledge, and finally lay out a step-by-step guide for beginners, intermediate, and advanced techs. Page 26 Technical Institute Class and Description Technical Institute Page 27 Class and Description Shop and Rebuilding Collaboration in Action Rebuilding Abel Hammer Making, Selecting, and Voicing Allan Day, RPT - Allan H. Day, RPT Piano Service - Vermont Melanie Brooks - Brooks LTD Piano Products - Connecticut Alexander Abel - Abel Hammer Company - International (Germany) Norbert Abel - Abel Hammer Company - International (Germany) Saturday, Sessions 7 and 8, Trafalgar B Classroom 30 years of quality hammer making allows the Abel Hammer Company to offer a full hammer service for all technicians and manufacturers. Are all Abel Hammers the same? Are the hammers I get from one supplier the same as another? What makes them different? What components effect the end outcome of a piano hammer? What exactly is Natural Felt and how is it different from the other hammers on the market? How can hammers be made in different densities like soft, medium or hard - according to your particular preferences? How does heat influence the hammer making process? How does the making process effect the voicing? Get a true sense of the manufacture and construction of a piano hammer with live video tours of felt production and hammer making. America's Piano Hammer Maker Ray Negron - Ronsen Piano Hammer Co. - Hudson-Adirondack, NY Starr Taylor, RPT - St. Piano Rebuilders - Southwest Florida Friday, Session 4, Somerset F Classroom Ray Negron and Starr Taylor will walk you through a tour of the Ronsen Piano Hammer Co. You will observe the manufacturing process used to build piano hammers the Ronsen way. We'll discuss the merits of the 4 different felts and molding choices available, including our newest felt offering, the legendary "Weickert" felt by Wurzen co. Germany. This amazing felt was the choice of Steinway, Mason & Hamlin and many other piano makers for 90 years prior to WW2. Now it's back, made from original recipes and formulas. Hear what techs are saying about this amazing felt and the tonal transformations it yields. See clearly how to take measurements from your old hammers in when ordering new ones. Ronsen hammers are made in a traditional old school style and what to expect in the way of tone, voicing stability and hammer selection. Questions are welcomed and encourage. Complete Grand Damper System Friday, Session 3, Trafalgar B Classroom As independent technicians, we have a portfolio of quality parts and services available on the market to produce a high end action rebuild. But parts selection can be confusing, how do we determine what is right for us as technicians while meeting the needs of the pianist, the piano and the platform in which it is played. Join us in a collaborative discussion between technician and supplier that will give you the confidence to determine what to use on your next action rebuild. Grow with Physics Douglas Kirkwood, RPT - Piano Horizons - New Hampshire Saturday, Session 7, Somerset E Classroom Many people think that physics is the root of all evil. However, it is certainly the root of all piano function. Understanding it is necessary in routine maintenance, regulating and rebuilding the piano. We will examine the role of physics in action function and design, in dynamic tone control and force distribution in the case. Rebuilding techniques and troubleshooting through the application of physics principles will be covered. We will also bring important aspects of wood technology to complete the picture. Physics is at the root of it all, but it is not evil. Model Your Action Jude Reveley, RPT - Absolute Piano Restoration - Boston, MA Saturday, Session 6, Somerset D Classroom There are an unprecedented number of action parts on the market. With so many options, knowing how to model a specific configuration to attain your target ideal of touch is the key to a successful and profitable future. This class will cover how to use your own action or an adjustable action model to test out calculated design parameters. WNG Vertical Action Replacement Jude Reveley, RPT - Absolute Piano Restoration - Boston, MA Friday, Session 1, Trafalgar A Classroom Bruce E. Clark - Wessell, Nickel and Gross - Boston, MA The damper system is too often overlooked, neglected and/or feared; and yet it is one of four major components of any complete grand restoration. Jude will dispel all fears and resolve all issues damper related, so that here on out, dampers will be approached with enthusiastic anticipation not trepidation. This class will explore procedures for restoring and replacing everything from the pedals on up to the damper heads, including regulation. Join us and learn how to remove and replace the action in an old upright with a new modern composite upright action. We will cover the basic concepts of upright action installation and how to take a scale stick, position the action, install and regulate dampers, hang hammers and setup the heel for a proper half stroke relationship. Friday, Sessions 1 and 2, Somerset A Classroom Page 28 Technical Institute Class and Description Technical Institute Page 29 Class and Description Business Why Piano Technicians Pay Less Taxes Than Their Neighbors How Federal Tax Laws Favor Piano Technicians Business Savvy Professionals Randy Potter, RPT - Potter School of Piano Technology - Portland, OR Friday, Session 1, Boardroom Classroom Melanie Brooks - Brooks LTD Piano Products - Connecticut Saturday, Session 6, Trafalgar B Classroom Defining practical strategies to make savvy business decisions will help you realize your goals. Focusing on technical skills, we often lose sight of the costs of doing business. Join in a group discussion as we define what your time is really worth and build a road map to a successful business plan. How to be the Technician Everybody Recommends and Wants Back Electronic Tuning Devices (ETD’s) Allan Day, RPT - Allan H. Day, RPT Piano Service - Vermont Friday, Session 1, Somerset F Classroom Saturday, Session 8, Somerset A Classroom Paul Sanderson - Inventronics - Boston, MA Friday, Session 4, Boardroom Classroom Even though this class is beneficial for the newer tuner/technician, all can benefit from the principles of success that are laid out and discussed. Allan shows you how to make the best impression, win confidence and trust that will have your customer looking forward to your return for many pleasant years. Rebuild A Piano Without Tools Boaz Kirschenbaum, RPT - Vintage Tone Tool Co. - Boston, MA Saturday, Session 7, Trafalgar A Classroom "Help! Stop trying to do it all yourself while still providing “complete piano service”. First you’ll learn how to better educate your clients and sell more work, without ever lifting a cast iron frame or making a pinblock. Next we’ll explore each type of specialist subcontractor/vendor: how to choose the right person or company for the job, how to handle contracts & payments, and how to structure the rebuild schedule. Finally, you will learn how to talk to, correspond with, manage & pay all your people. By the end of the class you will feel more comfortable selling and delivering high-quality piano rebuilds that make you look good. Web Marketing: Beyond Website Design Eric Johnson, RPT - Eric Johnson Pianos - Connecticut Saturday, Session 5, Somerset A Classroom Your website should showcase your business and offer the experience your customers need to make a decision. Eric will discuss web marketing including search performance and social media presence. Introduction to the Accu-Tuner IV The Accu-Tuner has entered a new chapter, the old microprocessor had run its course and with a new brain we are able to teach an old dog new tricks. There are new features to let you have more control over the tunings, more control of the pitch raising, and yet still retain the long battery life and improve the durability with a new case. Software for up/down loading tunings to your Microsoft based computers is included with the Accu-Tuner IV. Come and see how you can use the Accu-Tuner IV to lighten your work load. iRCT’s Smarter Features for the iPhone/iPod/iPad Dean Reyburn, RPT - Reyburn Piano Service - Western Michigan Friday, Session 2, Boardroom Classroom iRCT represents a quantum advance in piano tuning. Learn more about iRCT’s "thinking" behind its Smart Pitch, Smart Partials and Smart Tune features. Examine how Cybertuner constructs its tunings and predicts where they will settle in just ONE pass. I’ll bring you up to date on our latest features. Tricks and Tips Not In The Manual Paul Sanderson - Inventronics - Boston, MA Saturday, Session 6, Boardroom Classroom The Accu-Tuner has a lot of different features that have been missed by many experienced technicians. This is the class to learn about: new ways to create tunings, pitch raises, offset tunings, and the instrument that truly compares the piano to a pitch. This class will cover questions for attendees who have never seen an Accu-Tuner used up through suggestions that technicians with years of experience never have used. Learn the elegant simplicity of why a 3measurement stretch tuning can create optimum harmonicity on any piano. Page 30 Technical Institute Class and Description Technical Institute Class and Description Player Piano Systems PTG RPT Exam Prep PianoDisc Today Pass the Tuning Exam the First Time Techniques for Mastering the Mid-Range Mike Collins - PianoDisc Saturday, Session 7, Somerset A Classroom What's new at PianoDisc, for all technicians to keep PD systems at peak performance. Announcing the new PianoDisc CPU, blue tooth with midi ready, New apps and updates for the ProRecord system. More Disklavier for the 21st Century Bill Brandom, RPT - Yamaha Corporation - Pomona Valley, CA Saturday, Sessions 5 and 6, Somerset F Classroom Yamaha is at the forefront of the sound reproduction industry, and that includes the industry as it relates to pianos. In this class we will show you our latest products, and give you the information you need to service these amazing instruments. We believe that the piano industry has a very bright future indeed, and we are doing all we can to keep this instrument at work in music. The New Steinway & Sons SPIRIO Glen Bingham - Steinway & Sons - Chief Technician, Music Technology Friday, Session 2, Somerset E Classroom Saturday, Session 8, Somerset E Classroom Spirio Chief Technician Glen Bingham will demonstrate the system’s playback and custom iPad app, share music library highlights and present a service overview. Don’t miss this exclusive look at Steinway & Sons first NEW product in over 70 years! The new Steinway & Sons SPIRIO is a high-resolution player piano that provides a musical experience indistinguishable from a live performance. Spirio utilizes a proprietary, high-resolution recording system that uniquely measures hammer velocity and proportional pedaling to unlock the Steinway & Sons experience. See complete information and any updates Classes • Instructor’s Bio • Schedules • Events For Smartphones, Tablets, and Laptops WWW.PTGNEECSO.ORG Page 31 Randy Potter, RPT - Potter School of Piano Technology - Portland, OR Friday, Session 4, Somerset D Classroom From examiners and examinees I talk to, many (some say most) who fail the aural portion of the Tuning Exam actually passed the Temperament Octave (13 notes), but failed the 11 remaining notes in the Mid-Range. Come learn why this happens, and how to tune smooth octaves, not just in the center but also extending your good temperament into the treble and bass (whether or not you are using an ETD, or tuning strictly aurally). Preparing for the Written Test Exam Team Friday, Session 3, Boardroom Classroom We will introduce you to all the study aids and material that PTG has published to prep you for the written test. Explaining the procedures for starting the “Walk to RPT” and outline the content of the test in an effort to put you at ease before you make the commitment. The written test will be given on Sunday morning. Technical Exam Prep All-Day Thursday Seminar - Registration Required T. Michael Carraher, RPT - Carr's Piano Service - South Central PA Keith Bowman, RPT - Bowman's Piano Service - South Central PA Thursday All-Day, Sessions A thru D, Somerset F Classroom A very popular all-day seminar with instructors Mike and Keith, who also make the testing models used in the technical exam. A must class for Associate PTG members who are interested in taking the exams and would benefit with hands on sessions with actual testing equipment. Attendees must supply own tools. Limited seating, enroll today! NEECSO Officers and Directors President: Doug Tybor, RPT Vice-President: Mark Dierauf, RPT Executive Director: Steve Taylor Technical Institute: Bill Faller, RPT Registration: Bill Ballard, RPT Tuning Exams: Jack Stebbins, RPT Tech Exams: Doug Kirkwood, RPT
