Learn How To Tune Pianos - Learn Piano Tuning

The Butler School of Piano Technology

~ Winning Independence as a Professional Piano Technician ~

Be your own boss...

Develop your own business without an initial capital investment, work based on your interests instead of a set schedule, sell your skills instead of hours, do enjoyable work instead of tedious tasks, and increase your financial prosperity by taking advantage of lucrative opportunities in a less competitive profession—these are some of the benefits of the Independent Piano Technician!

An Interactive Online Piano Tuning School
featuring
The Internet Learning Exchange®

How is our School different than other Online Piano Technology Courses?

One obvious difference is we teach aural tuning! You'll have One-on-One training and observation with your personal teacher on a regular basis via the "Internet Learning Exchange". Who else includes this kind of personal aural tuning training in the tuition of their course? Is there a better way to learn this coveted skill?

The best way to learn piano tuning is through formal education and hands-on experience. Hands-on experience is essential for honing your skills as a piano technician, so we offer in-person seminars in grand regulation and voicing.

Piano tuning is a meticulous and delicate process that requires patience and attention to detail. It takes time and practice to become proficient. Therefore, start your journey to becoming a skilled piano tuner by seeking formal education with us and gaining hands-on experience.

As you consider your options, we invite you to compare our program with others. How much personal, one-on-one training do they offer? How often do you talk to a real person? What percentage of their students pass the certification exams? Do they offer specialized hands-on training?

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Learn how to aurally tune a piano

If you cannot afford, in time or money, to attend a one or two-year program at a residential school for piano technology, our piano tuning school is your best alternative. There isn't another school I am aware of that provides the personal, timely, and comprehensive instruction, particularly in aural tuning, you will receive here.

Tuning a piano requires quite a bit of patience and learned skills. While adjusting each tuning pin might look simple, professional tuners have honed their abilities over many years. This expertise helps them create a beautiful sound. The best way to learn is to connect with a professional piano technician. We’re passionate about passing on our experience. So why not connect with us? Yes, we use the internet. But you’ll quickly discover that you’re connecting with a real person. You’ll have a mentor! Kate, Maggie, and I not only teach piano technology, but we’re also in the field working on real pianos. We’re all RPT members of the Guild, and we’re also Certified Examiners for the Guild. We administer the certification exams offered by the Piano Technicians Guild.

We teach aural tuning and the technical skills needed to service pianos. And we can help you do the same. As examiners, we also know how to prepare our students for the exams. We’ll help you develop a strategy to pass those exams. If you’d like, you can come to our exam site and work with me before taking those exams. You’ll be able to take mock exams. Then, we will identify any issues of concern and address them. Finally, you’re welcome to take the exams while you’re here.

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A few words about the school from Rick Butler, RPT, CTE, TEC

Suppose you want to become a professional piano technician, ready to handle routine tuning, service, and repair. Why not qualify as a Registered Piano Technician - RPT - a member of the Piano Technicians Guild? If you're a member of the PTG, I invite you to enroll in my school and prepare to pass the PTG Certification Exams! Here's a video you might enjoy watching to learn a little about where this profession could take you. I am very proud to introduce my brother, Rodney, who followed me as the chief concert technician at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Our Mission

Our school is dedicated to providing quality education. We wish to offer a unique and interactive learning experience for those who want to begin a new career or part-time business in tuning and servicing pianos as a certified professional piano technician.

Live Stream Tutoring

If you have access to a good internet connection, you can take advantage of the opportunity to have supervised aural tuning practice sessions right from your home.

Instructional Videos

The online video library is a significant part of our course. These videos allow you to watch how the written information is applied. We are constantly adding videos to our library.

Is Piano Tuning for you?

Piano Technology is an excellent profession for those who like to work independently. Piano technicians report a high level of job satisfaction, a low stress level, and a serious commitment to continued personal and professional growth.

Our Students

"As a working musician and teacher, I was looking for ways to expand my income. Rick at The Butler School provides a fun yet challenging course into the world of piano technology.”
Tim P.

About Rick Butler

Rick Butler has been a full-time piano technician for over four decades. He has been teaching piano technology at some level throughout his career. His school has helped many people enter this profession.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Our School values all students as unique. As such, we have a strict non-discrimination policy.