How the Course Works
What is "Internet Learning Exchange"
At the Butler School of Piano Technology, our program is built around what we call the Internet Learning Exchange—a dynamic, ongoing dialogue between student and instructor that goes far beyond traditional “online learning.”
This is not a passive course where you simply watch videos and take quizzes. It is an active exchange of ideas, skills, and feedback using three essential forms of communication:
- Written Exchange (Email): You ask questions, submit written work, and receive detailed, thoughtful responses. Real conversations develop—not automated replies.
- Video Exchange: You record your tuning and technical work and send it to us. We carefully watch, listen, and respond with specific feedback tailored to your technique, your ear, and your progress.
- Live Zoom Sessions: When needed, we meet with you in real time. During these sessions, we observe your work as it happens and give moment-by-moment guidance—just as you would experience in a hands-on, in-person school.
You may use any or all of these methods as often as you need—without additional fees. This ongoing exchange ensures that you are never left guessing. You are consistently guided, corrected, and encouraged as you develop real skill.
Learning to aurally tune pianos requires time, focus, and disciplined practice. While it may be possible to learn how to operate a tuning app relatively quickly, that is not the same as developing a trained ear or mastering the subtleties of musical tuning.
And then there is the question of “certification.” Some programs award certificates based solely on correctly answering multiple-choice questions. But does that truly represent professional competence?
Consider the standards of the Piano Technicians Guild. To earn the designation of Registered Piano Technician (RPT), candidates must pass a written exam—but also demonstrate their abilities in real-world conditions. They must tune a piano under evaluation, perform repairs, and demonstrate regulation skills. Only after meeting these rigorous standards are they recognized as professionals.
This raises an important question:
Will the school you choose actually evaluate your work?
Will someone:
- Listen carefully to your tuning?
- Observe how you handle the tuning lever?
- Evaluate the intervals you produce?
- Assign exercises and review them with you in detail?
Without that level of interaction, how will you know if you are progressing correctly?
Through our Internet Learning Exchange, we provide exactly this kind of guidance.
We don’t simply deliver information—we mentor your development. We listen, we watch, and we respond. As you advance, we help you prepare for professional-level expectations, including certification exams, and we work with you to develop a strategy for success.
And when you complete the course, that relationship doesn’t end. We remain available as mentors as you continue building your career as a piano technician.
Course Structure
Each lesson is designed to support this ongoing exchange and includes:
- Reading Component – Clear explanations of concepts and principles
- Video Component – Demonstrations of techniques and procedures
- Feedback Component – Your opportunity to submit work and receive a personalized evaluation
Written exams are not multiple-choice. Instead, you write your responses, and we respond in detail—often leading to meaningful and productive discussions.
Our aural tuning exercises are taught step by step. You practice each exercise, record your work, and submit a video. We review it carefully and provide targeted feedback:
- Were you listening for the correct partials?
- Was your technique efficient and controlled?
- Were your musical judgments accurate?
And when video alone isn’t enough, we meet with you live via Zoom to guide you in real time—offering immediate corrections and insights as you work.
This is the essence of the Internet Learning Exchange: A continuous, personalized, and interactive learning experience that combines the flexibility of online education with the depth and responsiveness of in-person training.