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February 2018
PTA Vice-President Andrew Giller with Rick Wakeman
PTA Executive Council Meeting
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Editorial — 4President Writes — 5PTA Useful Contacts — 5Membership News — 6Advertising Rates 2018 — 6PTA Annual Convention and AGM Programme — 7Meet the PTA Event with Rick Wakeman — 8PTA Tuning Reminder System — 10Allay PTA Test Fears — 12Letters to the Editor — 14Stop, Think, Act — 16We’ve all had these … — 17Council Report — 18PTA Diary of Events — 19
The next deadline for PTA News is: Friday 23rd March 2018.PTA News is the Newsletter of the Pianoforte Tuners’ Association. All views expressed are
those of the contributors, not necessarily reflecting those of the PTA or the editorial team.Please send items for publication to ‘The Editor’, preferably via email with photographs sent
separately from the text. Posted items can only be returned if accompanied by an SAE.Please obtain the necessary permission before submitting copyright items.
PTA News, 49 South Hamilton Street, KILMARNOCK KA1 2DTEmail: [email protected]
To advertise in PTA News, at very reasonable rates, please contact:Tania Staite, Tel: 020 8677 4422
Flat 8, Deepdene, 15 Streatham Common Northside, London SW16 3HQEmail: [email protected]
CONTENTS
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The Meet and Greet the PTA Event with special guest RickWakeman could be a really interesting day; all the information aboutthe opportunity to meet PTA Members along with Rick Wakeman is on page 8.Completed Booking Forms are to be returned to Annette Summers by the end ofFebruary. The PTA is very grateful to Andrew Giller for sponsoring and organizingthis event.
A theme seems to have emerged in this newsletter, “Become a PTA Member” —for which I make no apology.
The PTA Membership Test is often thought of as a daunting prospect before it isattempted. Having learned to tune and having learned basic repairs, through enoughgood practice (include timing your work and pushing yourself) you can haveconfidence to achieve consistent results in an exam environment. On page 12,Roberta Caradine writes to encourage Associates and Students to aim for somethingreally worthwhile, Membership of the PTA.
If Roberta’s article isn’t enough to get you applying for Membership, the helpfulshort article, ‘Stop, Think, Act’, donated by Bill Kreis, on page 16 could be just theimpetus that may lead those who have not yet applied for Membership to finally makethe positive decision to do so.
Printed on page 7 is the Programme of Technical Classes for the Convention to beheld at the Blackwell Grange Hotel in Darlington in May. The PTA is sponsoring PTAExaminer Andrew Jamieson’s ‘How to Pass the PTA Test’ class, so that there is nocharge for anyone attending this class.
Matthew Gough has written an excellent article on page 10 about how to makegood use of one of the excellent benefits of Membership of the PTA, the TuningReminder System.
If you are considering advertising your business, why not try the PTA’s ownpublications as the Year Book has a circulation circa 900 and the newsletter c 300.The current rates for these are to be found on page 6 and details of how to contactTania Staite are on page 3.
I’ve been reminded that the BBC4 programme ‘Handmade: By Royal Appointment’about Steinway, featuring the PTA’s Honorary Life Member Jeff Prett, may still beavailable to view on the BBC iPlayer for only a few more days.
Roberta Caradine has written about something that happens perhaps too often,see page 17.
Included in the Letters to the Editor on page 14 is Dr Alastair Laurence’s thankyou letter to all who assisted in supporting the John Broadwood objection after hisrequest in last August’s Newsletter.
As I don’t have any stock of articles waiting to be published, articles andphotographs for publication are eagerly sought. You may have noticed that thisNewsletter is thinner.
EDITORIALANNE BURTON
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THE PRESIDENT WRITESBARRY CARADINE
As you receive this copy of PTA News, a copy of the PTAQuestionnaire is winging its way to you. We have deliberatelykept it short with only a few questions as we want to get as many answers aspossible. I don’t think there is anybody who hasn’t got enough time to fill in 9simple questions. Those with email will receive it via email, others via
“snailmail”. If you don’t receive your copy soon, please contact Annette as youropinion matters to us.
For those of you who are willing, there is an option to receive a longer,in-depth Questionnaire and I encourage all of you to do this. The more weknow about what you are thinking the better our Association can become.This is not just open to Members but to everyone involved in our Associationas the collective opinion is being sought. We are also approaching members ofthe wider piano trade to hear their views of our Association.
This questionnaire is not a trick, there are no right or wrong answers.What matters is what you think. You don’t even have to tell us your name butas there are no wrong answers, I urge you to do so. By doing this it helps usunderstand your opinion and gives us a chance to ask you to help clarify whatyou think. And, of course, enables your name to be put in to the hat for ourPrize Draw.
The PTA has evolved over many years. Some things it does pretty well,others less so. Criticism and opposing opinions are always hard to listen to.But only by listening and considering other points of views can anything oranyone hope to evolve into something better. Having said all of this, if youthink we’re doing all right please let us know!
By obtaining an overall view of what everyone is thinking, I hope that wecan develop a plan to move our Association forward for the betterment of usall and for all those who join our profession in future years.
Barry CaradinePTA President
[email protected] Tel: 01563 [email protected] Tel and Fax: 0845 602 [email protected] Tel: 020 8677 4422Librarian, Mr M Backhouse Tel: 01686 627970
USEFUL PTA CONTACTS
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MEMBERSHIP NEWSANNETTE SUMMERS
An application for Membership has been received from:
Mr Rupert J Taylor 1 East Road Wymeswold LOUGHBOROUGH LE12 6ST Tel: 0116 237 4553 Mob: 07748 201584 Email: [email protected]
Please send all changes of address, telephone and email to The Secretaryusing the contact details on Page 19.
ADVERTISING RATES 2018 FORPTA YEAR BOOK AND PTA NEWSPTA Year Book
Full Discount *Quarter Page (87 x 62 mm – portrait) £77.55 £69.80Half Page (87 x 125 mm – landscape) £136.73 £123.06Full Page (180 x 125 mm – portrait) £203.06 £182.75Centre Page (180 x 125 mm – portrait) £222.45 £200.20Inside Cover (180 x 125 mm – portrait) £244.90 £220.41Back Cover (180 x 125 mm – portrait) £306.12 £275.51* 10% discount applies to advertisers who book space in 6 consecutive
issues of PTA NewsPTA News
Single Issue 6 Issues *Quarter Page (87 x 62 mm – portrait) £46.94 £211.23Half Page (87 x 125 mm – landscape) £73.47 £330.62Full Page (180 x 125 mm – portrait) £107.14 £482.13Inside Cover (180 x 125 mm – portrait) £114.29 £514.31Back Cover (180 x 125 mm – portrait) £127.55 £573.98* Advertisers in six consecutive issues of PTA News pay for four and a half
adverts only.
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DEADLINE FOR PTAN ARTICLES: FRIDAY 23rd March 2018
Please email articles, letters and photos to: [email protected] orpost them to the address on page 3. Please email photographs in jpeg or pngformat separately. Photographs within documents generally are not of asufficiently high quality for the print process.
ANNUAL CONVENTION AND AGM 2018TECHNICAL CLASSES PROGRAMME
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For our next PTA event, Vice President Andrew Giller is delighted toannounce a ‘Meet and Greet the PTA’ on 10th March from midday to 4pm(approximately). The location is at Andrew and Jill’s Old Granary Studio andthe Giller Pianos Workshop in South Norfolk which lies just north of theBroads market town of Beccles. Attendees are more than welcome to exploreboth premises at Priory Farm which is sited on a historic Norfolk Estate ownedby England’s premier Baronet, Sir Nicholas Bacon.
The informal event will include a light lunch with rock star RickWakeman who for several years has followed the work of the PTA and metseveral of our Members tuning in concert venues! He will be only too pleasedto share his huge passion, experience and knowledge of pianos, with manyamusing anecdotes of 50 years in the music industry where he was originallyclassically trained at the Royal College of Music. He will also perform some ofhis popular repertoire on his ‘favourite’ Steinway D which has covered all ofhis piano recording work in the last 10 years. Rick needs no introduction asone of the world’s foremost keyboard players, renowned for his internationalwork with David Bowie, The Strawbs and the progressive rock band, Yes.His most recent 2017 piano album ‘Piano Portraits’ has reached almost100,000 sales and was a top 10 hit upon release. As a result Andrew receivedone of only three silver record discs issued for his contribution to the successof the recording.
Some of Rick’s CDs will be on hand to purchase which he will gladly sign.The premises has a licensed bar, onsite parking and it is possible to arrangetransfers from Beccles railway station. Please indicate this on the enclosedbooking form.
Whether you are a Student, Patron, shop owner or a prospective Memberyou will be most welcome! There will be a brief talk about the PTA withquestions and answers before lunch. This free event is an opportunity to bringas many people as possible together in the heart of the attractive Norfolkcountryside in the historic farm buildings with a major celebrity for chat,networking and fun!
Location address and contact information for the day:The Old Granary Studio, Maypole Green, Toft Monks, Beccles NR34 0EZ
01502 679088 [email protected] enclosed booking form is to be returned to the PTA Secretary.
MEET AND GREET THE PTA, WITHSPECIAL GUEST, RICK WAKEMANBY ANDREW GILLER
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Rick and his band rehearse in Andrew Giller’s studio
Rick and his band in Andrew Giller’s workshop
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THE PTA TUNING REMINDER SYSTEM ANDHOW IT CAN REALLY HELP YOUBY MATTHEW GOUGH
The PTA Tuning reminder system is a great benefit to PTA Members andone which I have found extremely useful and a real time saver. I was surprisedto read in the PTA Council Report (PTA News, October 2017) that it is usedby very few Members. You are missing out! With this in mind I thought itmight be useful to explain how I use the system, which isn’t in theconventional way that it was intended to be used, but is a much better way.Firstly what is it? It is a way to remind your customers to contact you atwhichever time interval they decide to have their piano tuned. Most of mycustomers pre-book each appointment for 6 months ahead, but many new oroccasional customers do not. These are the customers who benefit most fromthe PTA Reminder system. I benefit too – I hardly ever need to phone, text oremail anyone anymore to ask them if they would like their piano tuned, largelythanks to the PTA Reminder System. I would not be a happy bunny should itever be discontinued.Where do I find it? At the PTA Website which is www.pianotuner.org.uk andclick on the heading ‘Tuning Reminder’, which is the fourth heading along atthe top of the page.How am I supposed to use it? Your customer is supposed to set this upthemselves by going to the site. This rarely works because they forget to do soor can’t be bothered.How should I use it? Yourself. When you have finished tuning ask if yourcustomer would like a reminder in 6 months, a year, two years or whichevertime period they want. If they say ‘yes’, then explain that the email reminderwon’t come from you personally but your professional Association, ‘ThePiano Tuners’ Association’ (ok – ‘pianoforte’ if you want to be pedantic’) butthat your details will be included in the reminder and that you will set this upfor them. If they are happy with this, then ask for their email address, which ispretty vital ;-) Explain that they can cancel the reminder at any time using theinformation in the reminder itself.How do I fill the form in? Do it that evening when you get home. It’s easyand takes about two minutes. There are some tips. If you just fill in the ‘Title’and the ‘Surname’ boxes – such as ‘Mrs’ in the ‘Title’ box and ‘Doodah’ inthe ‘Surname’ box, for some very odd reason the reminder will be sent to yourcustomer like this: ‘Dear Doodah, your piano is due for tuning…..etc.’ A littlerude don’t you think? To counteract this I leave the ‘Title’ and ‘First Name’boxes blank but put the whole name, including the title and first name on the
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‘Surname’ entry. The reminder might then say ‘Dear Mrs Felicity Doodah…..’but at least you have completeness!! Under the heading ‘email’ put yourcustomers email – not your own. I’m not sure why the ‘postcode’ entry is therebut I usually put the customers post code in anyway – it doesn’t seem to makea difference because under the ‘Tuner’ heading we all seem to appear – soselect yourself here of course (unless you have a customer you don’t like),(that was a joke). Under ‘Month of Last Tuning’ you may wish to select theprevious month to give time for the customer to be booked in on time(Customers rarely reply straight away and unless they cancel the reminder itwill always appear in their inbox at the same frequency each time).Finally, select the tuning frequency that your customer has asked for.What happens next? You will see a notice telling you that the reminder hasbeen set. This is addressed to your customer. They won’t see this unless youcopy and paste it into an email to them, but I don’t bother doing this. The firstthey will know about it is when they receive an email reminder in the monththeir tuning is due (or just before if you chose that option in the ‘month of lasttuning’ box). On that reminder are your contact details and hopefully they willthen call requesting your services.Why should I bother doing this? Now obviously not everyone will bothercalling you when they get their email reminder but I can testify that thissystem does work well. I prefer to pre-book customers in my diary for 6months ahead but many don’t want to do this. Furthermore many customerswant yearly or 2 yearly appointments. I tend to do less and less phoningbecause I can’t keep track of these type of customers and to be honest I can’tstand phoning and texting and emailing – it already takes up far too much ofmy time. This way I don’t need to do anything apart from setting up the initialreminder which is 2 minutes work – BINGO!! Quite a few people now ring measking me to come to tune their piano again – less wasted time and effort forme and more customers that might have said ‘no’ to being contacted or pre-booked by me personally. It’s got to be a win win.Try it today. What have you got to lose? These customers tend to be the onesyou might never hear from again. Have a look at the website to see how itworks and the next time you know someone won’t want you to book a regularappointment give the PTA Tuning Reminder a go. It’s a real benefit of PTAMembership which costs you a pretty penny and I’m pretty sure that notenough of us are using the PTA Reminder System. I get calls pretty regularlyfrom those I’ve set up and I’m pretty sure that many of those ‘I’ll call you’customers wouldn’t have contacted me otherwise. Good luck and let ‘PTANews’ know how you’ve got on.Note: The PTA Reminder System is available to PTA Members Only.
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ALLAY PTA TEST FEARSBY ROBERTA CARADINE
The Wikipedia UK definition of a professional body states: “Membershipof a professional body does not necessarily mean that a person possessesqualifications in the subject area, nor that they are legally able to practise theirprofession. Many of these bodies also act as learned societies for the academicdisciplines underlying their professions”.
The Pianoforte Tuners’ Association has always tried to exceed that remitand since the late 1970s has had an entrance exam, irrespective of how orwhere a potential Member has learnt their trade and subsequently worked.
This Test is not the pinnacle to which all should aspire, rather a minimumlevel which all Members of the PTA should exceed. That minimum level, asrecently explained by a PTA Examiner to someone shadowing a MembershipTest, should be able to satisfy the average piano teacher.
Therefore, why are we all so daunted by the prospect of this Test?Believe me, everyone is. For some it is the perceived fear of failure whichcould impact on their reputation, especially when they are working at theperformance end of the business. Or for others, like me, simply unsure of yourabilities and fear of ridicule amongst your peers. Whatever the reasons ofreluctance, they are perfectly natural and understandable. But remember thePTA Test is not a trap. The Association and its examiners do not want to tripyou up, they want you to succeed.
In recent months, talking with various Students and Associates, it appearsthere are a lot of urban myths about the PTA Test. Les Sherlock wrote a veryuseful booklet explaining the process which is sent out to everyone whosubmits an application form. However, if people would like a copy then theycan contact Annette Summers, PTA Secretary, to get a copy and hopefully thiswill help allay any fears.
In recognition of these obvious and natural concerns for as long as the Testhas existed, candidates have either attended classes at Conventions or returnedto the seat of their education to brush up on areas that may concern them.Therefore, again this year there will be a ‘How to Pass the PTA Test’ class atthe Convention in Darlington. For those unable to make that date or unable toreturn to their training place, there are opportunities to come to Suffolk, eitheron a set date as a training day or even individually by appointment.
Our workshop is just off the A134, three miles north of Sudbury, Suffolk.We are 13 miles south of Bury St Edmunds on the A14. By train via MarksTey, we are 1 hour 20 minutes from Liverpool Street Station, London and we
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can pick people up from Sudbury station or you can get a direct train toColchester and then it would be a 35 minute taxi ride.
The PTA action models used for the regulation classes and Tests are storedat the workshop so we can accommodate a maximum of 10 participants and atleast one examiner would be on site to explain the Test procedure and talk youthrough any areas of concern.
This is something I would strongly recommend. When my Test date loomed,I returned to the LCF and Malcolm McKeand’s calming words for a day.Simple, silly but obvious things like ‘Replace the string first and then thehammer shank so you have time at the end to go back and check that the stringis as the correct pitch or that the hammer hasn’t moved’ — things that in truthyou would do in a customer’s home but which can be forgotten in a Testenvironment. As a Student stated after the last Test class ‘there isn’t anythingthere we haven’t already covered at college’, and he was right; there shouldn’tbe anything you wouldn’t expect to find in the average client’s home.
If you would like to attend a training day, please contact the Secretary andwe will inform you of the next available date.
Take the Test and join the only UK professional body for piano tuners andtechnicians that offers a recognition of your abilities.
Andrew Giller receives a silver discin recognition of his work for therecording of Rick’s latest album
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LETTERS TO THE EDITORDear Anne,
I thought that everyone might be interested to know that work has startedon the first phase of the scheme to modernise the hotel that we are going tofor this year’s Convention. It is to be a multi-million pound refurbishmentand will focus on the public areas of the hotel, including the main receptionand lounge areas. A substantial amount of work is taking place at the start of2018. The investment and restoration will greatly enhance the Grade II listedbuilding for the long term and transform it into a more contemporary countryhouse style.
Built in 1693 as a family home for industrialist, George Allan, the Grade IIlisted property stands within a wooded parkland which is about to bedeveloped by Darlington Borough Council.
The building was transformed into a hotel in 1970 and now features threefunction suites, 108 bedrooms, three bars, nine further function rooms,a restaurant and leisure facilities, including a swimming pool and gym.
Renovation works are being delivered by Darlington design practice,Niven Architects, who have extensive experience within the leisure andhospitality sectors. Local advisors are being used for all the work so that thehotel's character is not lost by those who don't know its story.
After completion of the first phase, investment will continue in therefurbishment of the hotel's leisure facilities and bedrooms, with further worksprogressing in the first quarter of each year over the next five years.
It may therefore be interesting for us to come back here again in a fewyears’ time to see the finished works and reap the benefits of it.
I look forward to seeing everyone in May!
Best wishes,
Michelle Rudd
Blackwell Grange Hotel and staff
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Dear Anne,
Where are the new tuners coming from?
I was interested to read in last month’s PTA News, that there is greatconcern amongst the Members and at Europiano that there is a lack interest intraining as a piano tuner. I find this surprising. Since opening The PianoTechnology School 2 years ago, we have had over 40 enquiries about ourtraining program. Mostly from the UK, but we have also had enquiries from asfar afield as; Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, Africa, South Africa,Brazil, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Oman, Spain, Italy, and Ireland.We have enrolled 14 students, many of whom have gone on to start their ownbusiness and a few who have landed prestigious jobs with first classestablishments. We are nearly full for next year already, with applicants fromOman, Canada and New Zealand as well as some home-grown interest.If anyone wanted to know where the new tuners are coming from, perhapsthey should have asked me.
Steve Droy
STOP, THINK, ACT
You are faced with a proposal that you do a certain task. Here is a way tostop messing about, and act in a way which saves time:
Ask yourself each question in turn, and consider it carefully — withoutregard to any other question. Having arrived at a rational decision, if theanswer is NO ignore the other questions, stop thinking about the whole thing,and do something useful, like making sure that your garden is behaving itself,or that the cellar is at the right temperature.
If the answer is YES, get on with the next question.
1 Be specific: can the proposed action be defined?
2 (Why do it?) Must it be done at all?
3 Does it have to be done by me, rather than by someone else?
4 When must it be done?
You are now in a position to think HOW to do it, and whether you need anyhelp. If help may be needed, the sooner you get it the better. Good Luck!
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WE’VE ALL HAD THESE …BY ROBERTA CARADINE
We’ve all had these sorts of telephone conversations with prospectiveclients: “Hello, I’ve got a piano I would like you to have a look at; it needstuned and a few notes stick. I’ve been told it was a good make but I’m notsure it is worth tuning.”
So, you patiently take the details, in this case Mr Double-Barrelled thethird who is only in Suffolk on Mondays and Friday afternoons.
The allotted time arrives and you arrive to be met by a very pleasantindividual, very nice home in a nice part of the county, tastefully decoratedwith a mix of interesting period and antique furniture, art work and ceramics,intriguing books and a smattering of expensive guitars clearly loved and used.
It transpires the piano, property of deceased relative of a friend, has beentransported from London.
Walking into the sitting room I’m confronted by a Victorian burr walnutupright, marquetry on the top door, sconce plates and pivot pins, minus thesconces. Lifting off the top (the hinges are long gone), there is a bag ofofferings; four hammer heads. No sign of the other six which are missing.The action is in the correct position but not a single overdamper felt iscapable of damping its allocated strings. In addition to the ten broken shanks,a number of the keys are sticking and I don’t need to check the pitch to knowit’s flat and the tuning would make even Winifred Atwell wince.
The client explains that no one plays the piano but he doesn’t want apretty piece of furniture that doesn’t work. So, black cap at the ready, I takethis as my cue to be brutally honest. A few moments later, once theprofessional opinion has sunk in, questions relating to restoration of theplaying mechanism or fitting a new instrument into an old case are quicklyput aside as conservative ball park figures are given.
To the final question, “Is it worth just giving it a quick tune to makeit sound better?” I’m afraid I declined. As I receive my call out fee Iapologised for my brutal honesty and suggested he would be better to investin a better instrument.
The Piano Assassin strikes again.
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PTA COUNCIL REPORTANNETTE SUMMERS
The Meeting of the Executive Council was held on 27th January,2018 at Robert Morley & Co. Ltd., Lewisham.Present were: Barry Caradine (President), Annette Summers(Secretary/Treasurer), Andrew Jamieson and Tania Staite (Trustees), Ben Nolanand Robert Caradine (Members), Lewis Flisher (Hon Council Member).Apologies were received from: Shaun McLoughlin, Nigel Polmear andAndrew Giller (Vice President).The President welcomed everyone to the Meeting.Minutes of the November Meeting were approved.The Treasurer’s report was approved. The PTA’s accounts are now with theAccountant for audit.Using November 2017 rate of inflation, the Examiner’s rate has been increased.Mileage and subsistence payments remain the same.It was decided to increase the Newsletter Editor’s remuneration as it has notbeen increased in four years.Outstanding subscription reminders are being sent out. Three Members are nowretired Members.Barry Caradine will arrange a visit to the Piano Technology School.Two re-sit tests have been arranged.A Membership application has been received from Mr R Taylor, Leicestershire.Associates eligible to take the PTA Test were offered a Pre-Test Day. To date noreplies have been received. It was suggested that an article in PTA News maymake more people aware of this offer.Shaun McLoughlin and Andrew Giller have prepared a new advert which willbe distributed to the EC for approval.Letters will be sent to Year Book advertisers at end of January with confirmedadvertising to be available for the March Meeting.Meet the PTA with Rick Wakeman is now confirmed for Saturday 10th Marchat Andrew Giller’s premises in Beccles, Suffolk. Local piano tuners are to beinvited. Training Days in June and October are being planned.The 2018 Convention Prospectus will be posted to the Membership shortly.2019 Convention is to be held at The Sharnbrook Hotel, Bedford.The updated Test paperwork has now been distributed to the Test SubCommittee.Robyn Sellman’s report on Facebook and its usage will be discussed in detail atthe March Meeting.
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Meet the PTA with special guest, Rick WakemanNoon to 4pm on Saturday 10th March at The Old Granary Studio NR34 0EZ
Executive Council MeetingNoon on Saturday 24th March 2018 at Robert Morley & Co Ltd, Lewisham
Convention with A.G.M. 10th to 12th May 2018,Blackwell Grange Hotel, Darlington
Convention with A.G.M. May 2019The Sharnbrook Hotel, Bedford
For enquiries, PTA goods, changes of address or contact details:Mrs Annette Summers, PTA SecretaryPO Box 230HAILSHAMBN27 9EATel: 0845 602 8796 Email: [email protected]
PTA DIARY OF EVENTS
After discussion and alterations, the Membership Survey asking for thoughtsand suggestions for the Association has been prepared. The document will beemailed out but posted to those without email.PTA Tool Insurance fees for 2019 and Membership Forms are to be updated.The next Meeting will be held at 12 o’clock on Saturday 24th March at RobertMorley & Co. Ltd., Lewisham.Observers are welcome at all Council Meetings.A full copy of the Minutes is available from the PTA Secretary.
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