Saturday 4th Period Mini-Tech Session

“What Every Technician Should Know” Mini-Techs will feature bite size classes. Something for everyone.

Agraffe Tools and Repair (Hands-On) – Anne Garee, RPT
Broken stem removal techniques, chasing old threads, tapping new threads, and plate inserts are all part of the hands-on exercises. Class limit: 10

Ergonomic Tuning: Tools & Techniques – Nate Reyburn, RPT
Come learn how NOT to tune a piano! Using the wrong tool for the right job can cause you pain and cut your career short. We'll learn about rigid lever design, the impact tuning style (hands on), and a pile of other tools and techniques to use your body efficiently. 

Grand Damper Regulation With 3 Tools - Scott Jones, RPT
Damper service is, for many technicians, forbidden territory! We'll review a streamlined and efficient way to get the most results from the least number of tools - class participation included. Imagine that - regulating dampers in front of a room full of piano technicians...that's a great confidence builder!

Mentoring – Kathy Smith, RPT
Explore the topic of mentoring in this class recently premiered at the PTG Annual Convention in Atlanta. What is the difference between a student and an apprentice? When does a teacher become a mentor? The area of developmental relationships has been widely discussed and appreciated in the corporate world. Gain a fuller understanding of what it can mean to piano technicians. Directed towards both “mentors” and “mentorees” and anyone considering such a rewarding relationship, you’ll receive helpful tips for being effective at either role.

Piano Detailing - Phenoyd Ezra [Classic Woods by Phenoyd]
Classic Woods will provide key information on how to clean scuff marks on client's piano, using steel-wool/sponges/sand paper and polishes.

Reading Downbearing Gauges – Nick Gravagne, RPT
The bubble gauge (aka component bearing gauge) will be demonstrated and compared to both the dial-type bearing gauge and a Wixey digital readout gauge. Reading bearing gauges represents a required skill set for piano technicians. A small handy chart of useful data will be made available to attendees only.

Regulating Outside the Piano – Wally Brooks, RPT [Brooks, Ltd.]
Discover how the professional tech can now regulate and play the complete grand action out of the piano, using full power, on-site or in the shop. We will demonstrate how to set up “The Rack”, a portable regulating jig that allows one to adjust for shape of plate and string height, copy the string spacing scale of the piano for use to align parts after replacement and for regulation.

Sharpening Stuff – David Vanderlip, RPT
This 45 minute session will concentrate on methods of sharpening chisels, plane blades, etc., that will help you get repeatable edges on your tools. Keep your everyday tools as sharp as you can, quickly and easily. Come see what methods we prefer.

String Seating and Leveling – Richard Davenport, RPT
This class features tools, techniques, and ideas to improve grand piano tone without using a traditional three-needle voicing tool. Learn where to spend your time when there isn’t enough. Demonstrations will include use of a newly invented magnetic bubble level to fit hammers to strings. Many useful techniques will be presented, and tonal changes evaluated. Every technician should come away with new and practical information. These classes are filled. Contact the registrar to get on the waiting list: registrar@westpac-ptg.org or 530-333-9299

Take a Virtual PTG Tuning Exam Anytime! – Tremaine Parsons, RPT
If you a can tune a good unison on a few different pianos then you can pass the PTG Tuning Exam with just a little more practice. This class will introduce a new tool, and an old tool, to help you gain the confidence and take much fear out of the PTG Tuning Exam. These tools are at no cost to attendees. The new tool is a "Virtual Tuning Tutorial" that runs on Desktops, Laptops, and Tablets on any operating system that can run a recent version of Chrome or Safari Browsers. This tool offers instant "PTG Standards" scoring on any Temperament or Midrange that is tuned via the software tool. This means: no measuring notes with an ETD. The old tool is an 18 page Tuning Tutorial document that I wrote in 1997 which is a very true synopsis of my tuning instruction at North Bennet Street School in 1973. The class will demonstrate the usual 4th, 5th, and octave tuning tests as well as many other temperament checks but will also include some humor and opportunity to ridicule the instructor, or computer, within reason.

The Spurlock Tools – Bob Marinelli, RPT [Pianotek Supply Co.]
Presentation of tools designed by Bill Spurlock that Pianotek Supply is now manufacturing with Bill.
Instruction and use of the tools will be demonstrated.

Twin Dolly Installation – Isaac Sadigursky, RPT
Vertical piano Twin-Dolly Installation can be achieved in about 20-minutes. Isaac will show how to do it "SOLO". The secret for this one-man operation is being properly prepared. Parts, supplies and SAFETY will be discussed. This class is a must for technicians, who do work for Schools, Churches, Hotels, etc.

Upright Spoon Bending – Don Mannino, RPT [Kawai America]
A quick overview of why spoon bending is important and why we should become proficient at it. The right tools make it practical, and these will be demonstrated. Class attendees can then try adjusting damper spoons on an action model and on an upright piano.