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Online Piano Industry Convention

3 FULL DAYS OF PIANO TECH CONTENT

Thu, Fri, Sat-Sep 2, 10, 18

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The Next Level in Piano Tech Education
Join leading Piano Industry Professionals throughout the world. 

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Incredible Course Content

REBUILDING & RESTORING THE UPRIGHT PIANO

INSTRUCTOR: BILL MONROE

Rebuilding & Restoring the Upright Piano is a photo journey that winds its way through the process of a complete rebuild/restoration of a 1914 A.B. Chase Upright piano. I’ll be your tour guide as we take a visual journey that winds its way through the entire restoration process. We’ll have an opportunity to explore every step of the restoration, and there will be opportunity to explore some of the steps of the work in greater detail, such as soundboard/pinblock work, action restoration, how to decide whether to rebuild or not, or anything that piques the interest of the class. The goal of the class is two-fold. The first emphasis is to help technicians appreciate that with good planning and thoughtful selection, rebuilding old uprights is justifiable not only musically, but financially as well. The second emphasis of learning will be more driven by what the class is interested in as we explore various segments of the process in greater detail.

HAMMER HANGING

INSTRUCTOR: CHRIS BROWN

2-tiered boring, one distance for bass hammers and another for treble hammers, unnecessarily complicates and compromises grand regulating. Since the cooling of cast-iron plates traditionally warps them, string heights in the finished pianos often bow upward in the middle, creating discrepancies that can have problematic regulating consequences. With an accurate bench setup, bedding as in the piano, and strike provided by a Regulating Rack, custom-bored hammers can be hung vertically at strike, maximizing power, repetition, and clarity of tone. Live talk-through over silent video. Q&A.

TUNING TIPS, TRICKS AND TOOLS

INSTRUCTOR: RANDI SUE POTTER

Tuning tips, tricks and tools from a veteran instructor of piano tuning skills. Randi gives us a tour of her favorite tools to get the job done. This includes explanations of various styles of tuning hammers and what utility you can find in them. In addition, Randi addresses questions and conundrums that students are repeatedly challenged by. She explains the utility of a wide variety of mutes, demonstrates efficient procedures for tuning and gives a thorough overview of essential but often overlooked information necessary for achieving solid, professional-level tunings.

CYBERTUNER KEEPS GETTING SMARTER

INSTRUCTOR: CARL LIEBERMAN

We introduce how CyberTuner operates and thinks. Sampling variance, smart pitch, smart tune, our pure 12ths - OTS P and new AI mode will be presented. If you've wondered why CyberTuner is special this class will show you.

NEW AND REBUILT PIANO PREPARATION

INSTRUCTOR: SALLY PHILLIPS

A check list of things to watch for in new and rebuilt pianos when prepping for delivery.

PIANO APPRAISALS FOR PIANO TECHS

INSTRUCTOR: LEO HOLDER

Definitions of various piano appraisals. Definitions and examples of Fair Market Valuation, Insurance Replacement, Estate Evaluation and Charitable Donation appraisals.

FOUR IMPORTANT EARLY AMERICAN-MADE PIANOS

INSTRUCTOR: TOM STRANGE

America was never simply a consumer of pianos, but began producing them contemporaneously with London and Paris in ways that will be new to most viewers. We will describe in some detail the technology and stories behind the John Behrent piano of 1775, the Alpheus Babcock 'first iron frame' piano of 1825, the Robert & William Nunns 'Unichord' piano of 1834, and the Chickering 'Cocked Hat' grand piano of 1855. The ways that these pianos changed the landscape for piano making and marketing, and the technology hurdles that were overcome, create a fascinating background to the modern piano today.

RESTORATION: 1843 PLEYEL GRAND AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY

INSTRUCTOR: KEN ESCHETE

This was a very challenging structural repair that I did with Ken Walkup at Cornell University's Historic Keyboard Collection. The wrest plank was pulling out of place, causing the piano to be unstable. This slide lecture will go over the challenges of restorative conservation treatment.

KEYBOARD AND ACTION EVALUATION AND REPLACEMENT FOR THE REBUILDER AND TECH

INSTRUCTOR: DEAN REYBURN

We'll demonstrate practical and objective ways to make sure your action rebuild will be successful by checking the condition of the keyboard and checking geometry. Learn about the ramifications of installing a new keyboard and/or action stack. See a virtual tour through Reyburn Pianoworks keyboard manufacturing shop which using the latest CAD and CNC robotics

THE UNCOMMON, THE UNUSUAL, AND THE UNIQUE

INSTRUCTOR: ALAN EDER

“The Uncommon, the Unusual and the Unique” is a brand-new class incorporating tools, methods and ideas gleaned from various technicians in addition to Alan’s original approaches that have been warmly received and adopted by others. Even if you have your own established ways of doing things, you may welcome the stimulation of new ideas. (After all, one of the best ways to verify the results of one’s own work is to check it by a different method than the one originally used!) From techniques used in regulation and reconditioning (including action handling) to various miscellaneous items, this class will be packed with images and information which will be thought-provoking at the very least and will likely bring improved accuracy and efficiency to your piano servicing operation.

GLENN GOULD'S PIANO

INSTRUCTOR: WAYNE FERGUSON

A lecture on the Care & Maintenance of Glenn Gould’s Yamaha CF Grand Piano.

GRAND PIANO CONSTRUCTION

INSTRUCTORS: MICHAEL SPREEMAN & JOACHIM LEONARDY

Why did they do THAT? An overview lecture and discussion of how grand pianos are constructed will be presented. We will touch on how some design elements, materials, and construction techniques effect the look, sound, playability, stability, and longevity of the instruments. We’ll look at what can go wrong in the design and construction and what, if anything, can you do in the field to abate certain issues.

Join World Class Instructors

Join these world-class instructors

from the comfort of your home

Chris Brown

TOPIC:

HAMMER HANGING

Chris Brown is a Registered Piano Technician and proprietor at Grandwork Tools. He started his career as a piano technician in 1977. He is one of the leading piano technicians who have mastered a number of skills: concert tuning, rebuilding, and teaching, etc. He is also a college technician, private customer piano-care provider as well as a designer, engineer and
manufacturer.

Randi Sue Potter

TOPIC:

TUNING TIPS, TRICKS & TOOLS

Randi Potter is a world renowned piano technician and the founder of the Randy Potter School of Piano Technology. For over 30 years, Randi has offered quality instruction through her complete correspondence home-study course for beginning and intermediate students in piano tuning, repairing, regulating, voicing, apprentice training and business practices.

Carl Lieberman

TOPIC:

CYBERTUNER

Carl has been a piano technician in Los Angeles for 49 years. I have worked with CyberTuner's creator, Dean Reyburn for the last 25 years and am now CyberTuner's Imagineer. I am a field service piano technician working at a Performing Arts Center, Recording Studios and private homes.

Leo Holder

TOPIC:

APPRAISALS

Leo is a European conservatory trained pianist and studied at Boston's North Bennett Street School under Bill Garlick and David Betts. He's certified as an expert piano tech by Baldwin and is an experienced appraiser and member of the Appraisers Association of America.  Leo is an active PTG member and has served as President and VP of the NYC Chapter PTG. Leo opened and ran New York Piano Center, Inc. in Midtown Manhattan from 1985 to 2002.

Sally Phillips

TOPIC:

NEW & REBUILT PIANO PREP

Over the past 40 years, Sally Phillips has worked in virtually every aspect of the piano industry: service, retail, wholesale, and manufacturing. She has tuned and prepared pianos for recordings and concerts in such venues as Town Hall in NYC, Alice Tully Hall, the Kennedy Center, and for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic. She's a 1976 graduate of North Bennet Street School. She has published articles for Piano Buyer, The American Organist, and the PTG Journal. Sally lives in Columbus, GA dealing in Steinway and other fine pianos as Piano Perfect, LLC.

Wayne Ferguson

TOPIC:

GLENN GOULD'S PIANO

Master piano tuner technician, Wayne H. Ferguson, has been widely considered to be among the very best in the business, Wayne has studied the art of piano technology and piano set up with passion and diligence. His former and present client list is a veritable who’s who of the music industry in Canada and beyond. 

 

Joachim Leonardy

TOPIC:

GRAND CONSTRUCTION

Joachim is a member in good standing with the German Bund Deutscher Klavierbauer organization (BDK) and holds the prestigious Klavierbau Meisterbetrieb Title. Since his college days at the Music Conservatory of the Saarland in Saarbrucken, Germany, his focus has been on grand pianos. Working for the well-respected Piano Fischer Company in Schnorndorf, Germany for eight years, he participated in all aspects of the piano business. To further his knowledge of the instrument, he later worked at the Seiler company in Kitzingen, Germany where he was in charge of managing several major aspects of the company, including the overseeing of concert preparation, production, and manufacturing. This position eventually led to involvement with the advanced development and design of new instruments. Today Joachim manages a private practice where he offers various levels of service work as well as consulting to manufacturers and individuals. In 2008 he began working as the Manager for the JAHN Pianoteile company in Grub am Forst, Germany, and most recently became a member of Ravenscroft Piano's design team.

Michael Spreeman

TOPIC:

GRAND CONSTRUCTION

Michael is the creator and co-founder of Ravenscroft Pianos in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. Beginning his successful career as a high-end piano technician and rebuilder in 1976, Michael has worked 45 years as a concert technician, rebuilder, and service technician. He has served as a Technical Consultant for Renner, Fazioli, Yamaha, Steinway, and Baldwin. Throughout his career, Michael was Head Steinway Technician in San Francisco, National Technical Consultant for Yamaha USA, Head Technician for Arizona State University, and has been the House Concert Technician for several recording studios, performance halls, and symphony orchestras. Having a passion to continually improve his skills, he has had the opportunity to receive specialized Concert Tech Training in Sacile, Italy with Fazioli, as well as Concert & Artist and Disklavier training with Yamaha. Michael is a long-standing member of the PTG and was awarded the German Klavierbauer Certification in 2006 by the Bundt Deutscher Klavierbauer (BDK) organization. In addition to building the Ravenscroft Pianos, he is an international instructor and an instructor for the USA-based Renner Academy.

Alan Eder

TOPIC:

UNCOMMON, UNUSUAL, UNIQUE

Registered Piano Technician Alan Eder has been the full-time piano tech for the Herb Alpert School of Music at the California Institute of the Arts for 38 years. He has trained with such luminaries of our field as Keith Hardesty and Richard Davenport, RPT, and with Yamaha and Steinway. In turn, Alan has trained a host of accomplished piano technicians who are enjoying successful careers as field technicians and working for music schools, piano dealers and manufacturers. Under the auspices of the Piano Technicians Guild, Alan has taught numerous classes at chapter meetings and regional and national conventions, both alone and in collaboration with others. Alan has been a featured guest on Piano Tech Radio Hour, along with pianist Danny Holt, and has been involved in the production of several piano-centric videos, including “Non-Traditional Piano Use,” “American Grand” (Amazon Prime), “A Glimpse Into Montal’s Paris” (Youtube) and “Piano Rap” (Youtube).

Ken Eschete

TOPIC:

1834 PLEYEL RESTORATION

Ken Eschete is a Steinway-trained piano technician and aural tuner. As the Director of Keyboard Maintenance at Northwestern University for 13 years, Ken honed his skills by working with piano faculty and visiting artists, including YoYoMa, Daniel Barenboim, Emanuel Ax, Richard Goode, and many more. Now based in Spokane, WA., Ken offers complete services including tuning, regulation, voicing, repairs, complete restoration, and action balancing. He's a veteran PTG member and PTG National Institute instructor. His restoration work can be found at the Smithsonian Institution, the Vanderbilt Mansion (Hyde Park, NY) and the Washington State Capitol Building (Olympia, WA).

Dean Reyburn

TOPIC:

KEYBOARD REPLACEMENT

Dean passed his PTG RPT exams in 1978. He has served on the PTG Examinations and Test Standards Committee since 1996 and acts as Advisor and CTE skill reviewer, and is a member of the PTG Hall of Fame. Dean has many years experience as a concert tuner and was the technician for the local Steinway and Yamaha dealers for many years. Dean attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago from 1976 to 1978 where he learned piano technology from Virgil Smith, RPT and Robert Carbaugh. Dean is a self-taught Software Engineer and lead engineer on the CyberTuner project and runs Reyburn Pianoworks which builds retrofit keyboards. He enjoys tennis, biking and hiking in his spare time.

Tom Strange

TOPIC:

EARLY AMERICAN PIANOS

Tom Strange has presented numerous lecture/concerts on early piano development in England and the US and is a builder and restorer of early keyboard instruments. Articles on the life of early square pianoforte builders and newly published book on the Kirkman family of harpsichord builders and Geib family of piano makers have greatly expanded the understanding of this early industry. Strange and a group of partners founded the Sigal Music Museum in Greenville SC in 2017, to promote the many forms of musical language and highlight early keyboard instrumental music.

Bill Monroe

TOPIC:

 UPRIGHT REBUILDING & RESTORATION

Bill studied engineering, biology and wildlife ecology at Michigan Tech, Eastern Michigan, and Montana State Universities, respectively, and later began his piano career with encouragement from Ward Guthrie, RPT in Bozeman, MT. His education included the Randy Potter School, attending the 2002 Randy Potter Advanced Training Seminar, 2004 Yamaha Little Red School House, 2008 Steinway & Sons Technical Academy and the 2010 Steinway & Sons Extended Technical Academy. Bill has worked for dealers in the past but currently serves an exclusively private clientele, providing in- home tuning and service as well as offering complete, custom rebuilding
and restoration services in his shop.

A Can't-Miss Calendar

All Times Listed in Pacific Time (USA)

Please account for Time Zone differences

Thu Sept 2

  • 9:00AM
    Bill Monroe
    UPRIGHT PIANO REBUILD

  • 11:00AM
    Chris Brown
    HAMMER HANGING

  • 12:00PM
    Randi Sue Potter
    TUNING TECHNIQUES

  • 2:00PM
    Carl Lieberman
    CYBERTUNER

Fri Sept 10

  • 8:00AM
    Sally Phillips
    NEW & REBUILT PIANO PREP

  • 9:00AM
    Leo Holder
    APPRAISALS

  • 11:00AM
    Tom Strange

    EARLY AMERICAN PIANOS

  • 2:00PM
    Ken Eschete

    1834 PLEYEL RESTORATION

Sat Sept 18

  • 8:00AM
    Dean Reyburn

    KEYBOARD REPLACEMENT

  • 11:00AM
    Alan Eder

    UNCOMMON, UNUSUAL...

  • 2:00PM
    Wayne Ferguson
    GLEN GOULD'S PIANO

Sat Sept 25 (BONUS DAY ANNOUNCED!)

  • 7:00AM
    Michael Spreeman & Joachim Leonardy

    GRAND PIANO CONSTRUCTION

The Benefits


Traditional "in-person" conferences have many perks. But cutting edge piano technicians are experiencing the undiscovered advantages of online educational resources. In online lectures everyone has a front seat, there's no need to take notes, and a unique new set of benefits arise. The virtual convention of the future opens many new doors.

  • No Airfare

    You don't have to travel to different states or countries just to attend this convention. Save hundreds or thousands on airfare.

  • Global Access 

    You can join the conference from any part of the world and from the comfort of your home. You can access sought after instructors that don't have time to travel to teach.

  • No Hotels

    No sitting idle in a cold hotel rooms. You can actually get your favorite drink and join us from your living room! Save hundreds or thousands on lodging.

  • Anytime Access  to the Recordings

    Get lifetime access to the event recordings. Don't pay more than once to learn the same thing.

  • Givaways

    What a great opportunity to stimulate the economy of the piano industry. Get active and prepare to receive some great gifts from PTM and our sponsors.

Brought To You By

                  A TRACK RECORD OF DELIVERING VALUE

Great value!

Bruce Gibson

Saskatchewan, CA

re: Piano Tech Radio Hour

Online sessions are a great way for techs of any competency level to learn and grow. World class technicians are beamed directly into my home, from where they transport me back into their workshop, their alchemy laboratory, where they show me how they do their magic.

Jurgen Goering

Piano Forte Supply

Vancouver Island, CA

re: Piano Tech Radio Hour

These sessions are one hour a week and time well spent. We get to see and hear some of the best if not the best. Its a great example of giving back to others and spreading knowledge to all levels. Outstanding !!!!

Jim Kelly

Fur Elise Piano Service

Pawleys Island SC

re: Piano Tech Radio Hour

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