Professional Training
For many local piano technicians, coming to our piano shop for a recent Guild Meeting of the Utah Valley Chapter Piano Technicians, was their first time trying out the Hailun Brand. Not surprisingly, they received rave reviews and were used as demo pianos for that night’s technical training. Brigham is the only Hailun Dealer in UT and we encourage you to do your own research on-line to see what people are raving about! Then come to our shop to try one yourself!
Category : Brigham's Piano Blog &Brigham's Piano Shop &Guild Meetings &Hailun Information &Piano Sales
I really benefit from being a part of the local and national guild of Piano Technicians. Today I thought that I would highlight point 5 of the national Guild’s Code of Ethics, “I will strive to upgrade my professional skills and I will encourage and help others to do the same.” I really believe in this principle and do my best to act upon both ends of it.
I have several professional mentors who provide regular and ongoing training for me to further refine and perfect my skills as an artisan. As with so many other areas of life, I’ve found that the more my skills are developed, the more I realize the more there is to learn and perfect. Here is a photo of me with Jim, one of my mentors, at a recent PTG meeting where we team taught on regulation.
On the other side of the spectrum, I regularly open my shop and my schedule to aspiring technicians (more…)
Category : Brigham's Piano Blog &Guild Meetings &PTG Code of Ethics &Professional Training
The January 2011 Utah Valley Piano Technician’s Guild meeting was hosted at Brigham’s Piano Shop. Keith Kopp taught the PACE tuning lesson followed by Jim Busby and Brigham Larson giving the technical portion of the meeting. Jim presented on Regulation and Brigham shared his shop refurbishing list including various details of action prep, regulation and all items related to complete upright refurbishing.
Here are links to Brigham’s upright refurbishing checklist:
Google Docs Link to Brigham’s Refurbishing Checklist
PDF Link to Brigham’s Refurbishing Checklist
Excel Link to Brigham’s Refurbishing Checklist
Here are the 5 segments of video from his presentation.
Category : Brigham's Piano Blog &Brigham's Piano Shop &Guild Meetings &Professional Training
ABOUT THE MPT History
In 1976, five piano technicians met in a private home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Collectively, they had been members of the Piano Technicians Guild for over 85 years; all five had been PTG chapter presidents. These men felt that they needed something in addition to the PTG, so the organization of the Master Piano Technicians Guild of America was born. Since that time, the membership has grown and MPT is now an international organization. Many members hold dual membership in both PTG and MPT, as did the members founding the organization. The question most often asked is, “why another organization for piano technicians?” The answer is clear and simple: The organization of Master Piano Technicians has just one reason for existing, which is to benefit members. Each chapter is autonomous. No chapter need follow standards set nationally or regionally. MPT founders felt, and leadership still acknowledges, that each member and chapter is qualified to be self-governed. Additionally, MPT has no student or apprentice members. Through the years, MPT membership has included many talented and nationally recognized members. But the current membership will always be indebted to those five men who had the vision and dedication to bring about a vital and, for the members we know, much beloved gathering of colleagues. (from a 1984 newsletter article)
Current Programs
Currently, Master Piano Technicians strives to reach out to the existing and potential membership in two main ways: through its journal, published quarterly, and its convention-institute. These are longstanding traditions within MPT; and give technicians an opportunity to explain and discuss new techniques and business/industry trends, as well as reminisce about their experiences as piano service professionals. Recently, the organization began offering two convention-institute scholarships to outstanding students of the Randy Potter school. The students will attend the classes, dinner/awards and prize ceremony at the annual convention, in order to build their skills; their presence will also give longstanding members an opportunity to better mentor newcomers to the piano service profession. In addition, members of MPT are free to form chapters in any configuration they desire. Those who have not yet joined should contact a member and plan to form or join a chapter or arrange to submit an article or query to the MPT Journal.
You can learn more about the International Master Piano Technicians Group at their website and blog.
Category : About Brigham &Professional Training
Each month I attend the local Piano Technicians’ Guild meeting to learn new skills, review old ones, refine the art and craft of mastering the technical side of pianos, and to give back in any way I can. I have benefited greatly by my association with these mentors and peers in the piano industry.
Here is my report on the September meeting of the PTG Chapter of Utah Valley:
How to bridge the gap between Musician Request and Technical Jargon.
This month’s meeting was held at the BYU Piano Shop and Hyrum Weibel taught the technical. Prior to the meeting, he regulated the repetition springs as strong as possible while still remaining within the range of acceptable regulation. To start the meeting, he invited an accomplished pianist to play the piano and to offer feedback on touch, feel and overall playability and desirability of the current regulation. The pianist then left the room while Vince Mrykalo and Jim Busby regulated the repetition springs to the other extreme: as soft as possible while again, still remaining within the acceptable range of regulation standards. The talented pianist then returned and offered more feedback.
The point of the meeting was to improve communication skills between technician and musician. Hopefully, we as professional piano technicians, can translate what is verbalized by the pianist into technical changes that satisfy his or her requirements. For example, the musician might say, “it feels too heavy,” and the technician must translate that into, “the blow distance is too far,” or “the dip is too shallow,” or a number of other possibilities. Making that diagnosis takes experience!
I deal with such requests on a fairly regular basis. I enjoy the challenge of helping my clients discover how their pianos can be transformed-beyond what they thought possible-to match their desired preferences.
-Brigham
Category : Brigham's Piano Blog &Guild Meetings &Professional Training
At the 2010 National Piano Technician’s Guild Convention, Brigham received training from Don Manino. After class, Brigham took the opportunity to ask Don to explain why regulation is necessary to maintain a piano over the course of its lifetime. Listen to the above video clip to see how Don uses a grand action model to explain the essential nature of piano regulation in addition to basic tuning maintenance.
Brigham would be happy to evaluate your piano if you think it has been awhile since it was properly regulated. To read more about regulation, click here.
Category : Additional Services &Brigham's Piano Blog &National Piano Technician's Guild Convention 2010 &Professional Training
The field of Piano technology is an unregulated trade. Therefore the Piano Technicians Guild has set its own standards of quality for piano technicians. The Guild has two types of members: Registered Piano Technicians (Brigham) and Associates. Associate membership is open to anyone with a “professional or avocational interest in piano technology.” On the other hand, the title of “Registered Piano Technician” must be earned by passing a series of examinations. (more…)
Category : About Brigham &Brigham's Piano Blog &FAQ &Professional Training
Here is a video of Brigham with Allan L. Gilreath , RPT and National President of the Piano Technicians Guild. He explains why it is essential and beneficial to only allow a Registered Piano Technician to work on your piano.
“I’ll just call around and find the cheapest piano tuner……” (have you ever thought that?)
May we recommend you read this information about RPT’s before price shopping and going with the cheapest option. We know that our customers value quality and refer us regularly without hesitation! Have the courage to shop around for quality, not just for price! Are you looking for an experienced musical artisan, with proven and tested training, attention to detail, guaranteed workmanship and unmatched quality. If that is what the musician in you desires… then Brigham is the correct match for your piano needs.
Category : About Brigham &Brigham's Piano Blog &Professional Training
