I’m an RPT!
So after years of study and practice, ups and downs, hurdles and boosts I am finally a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) with the Piano Technicians Guild! This whole process has been a wonderful learning experience. The exam tolerances are so narrow on these exams it makes them the hardest in the world to pass.
There are three exams: Written, Technical, and Tuning.
The Written exam tested my knowledge about pianos in general. It focused on the head knowledge I should have when servicing a piano.
In the Technical exam I had to assemble and regulate a Vertical Action Model (above left), Grand Action Model (above right). I also had to do a handful of repairs. Every section of the test had time limits and quality standards.
To pass the Tuning exam I had to tune the piano by ear which had to match the master tuning. I am in the photo above but not during the exam. I included this so you could get a visual of what it was like for me to sit there at the piano with nothing but my tuning fork and a tuning hammer.
My Experience:
My emotions ranged all over. There were times I was confident and other times I was about to cry from fear that I was failing. On the Technical I thought for sure I had failed the Vertical Action Model but I walked away having aced it. And during the Tuning exam I cringed as they beat the strings with the “thumper”, a device designed to try and knock the stings out of tune. Nothing moved!
The RPT logo:
So watch for the standard Logo. It is the seal of the field’s most proven technicians! It represents over 100 years of the Guild’s collective knowledge.
Thank You!
Finally I want to thank all of you who have been there along the way: customers who let me tune and repair their pianos and mentors who were always there when I had a questions.
For More Information.
If you are interested in the Piano Technicians Guild or if want to read more about what it takes to become a Registered Piano Technician go to ptg.org.