With the electronic tuning devices being so popular, fewer tuners are tuning aurally. To become certified as a “Registered Piano Technician” in The Piano Technicians Guild, you must know how to tune aurally. You can not pass your certification examinations without developing you aural tuning skills.

 

    The Butler School will help you pass those examinations and advance your career as a professional piano technician. For example, the instruction in grand action regulation, includes basic principles of action geometry. When you understand the why of a matter, understanding how comes a little easier. Therefore, having knowledge of action geometry, and appreciating how an action is set up in relation to the case of a piano, will allow you to better analyze real situations in the field and in the shop. It will help build your confidence.

 

  Voicing and regulating a piano is just as important as tuning. I built my reputation, at least in part, on my regulation and voicing skills. Learning how to make the touch and tone even from one note to the next, will distinguish you as a professional technician. Learn to tune, and tune well. But learn to artistically regulate and voice pianos.

I had the privilege of being of service to the White House for 12 years. I’ve also had the privilege of working for some of the finest Artist in the world during my years at the Kennedy Center. In the fall of 2009, I returned to the Kennedy Center as Concert Artist Technician.

 

  Rebuilding pianos was something that I really enjoyed. Learning how to take pianos apart and putting them back together again gave me a certain perspective that I could not have gained in any other way. It has allowed me to become a very good diagnostician. Identifying problems in the field and in the shop is invaluable to a successful career.

 

  I’ve tried to present the material in this course in a very simple and concise manner. Why? Information gathered by reading is a conscious process and takes time. I want you to spend as much time as possible actually working at the piano. Therefore, I have tried to prioritize the written information you’ll need to maintain a good pace, and develop your skills. I think the DVD’s will be very helpful. As you know, a “picture is worth a thousand words.”

 

  I hope this course will encourage you, and especially those “Associate” members of The Piano Technicians Guild, to take their certification examinations. This course is the foundation of a solid, professional-level understanding of piano technology.

 

    I promise to do my best to be a good teacher!

 

  I wish you every success.

  Rick Butler