[Openwood]

Now please don't laugh but how much money would I need to have put away in order to be able to consider training as a piano technician?

Is it a non-starter or do you think there are still openings for people who are passionate about pianos? I've been teaching music in school for nearly 15 years and I feel that if I don't make the career change soon it might be too late....

[mdw]

Enough to cover 3 years training ( or it was whenI trained). I actualy got a small grant from my local authority towards my living expenses and my training paid for. I think that just shows how long ago that was. I would research if there are likely to be any jobs in your area when you finish. Could be a bit of a shock to run up a £15 K bill for training only to find no job at the end of it. Dont know if any shops are taking any one on. If they are its most likely to be a trained Pole ( they are not just plumbers) .
Personaly I recon this job will see me out but I dont want my kids going into it.

[Barrie Heaton]

[Gill the Piano]

If you're buying a round, Barrie, mine's a pint of Rebellion...
Where would you buy a tuning round these days? I saw lots of ads in the music press up to WWII, but wouldn't have a clue otherwise.
Openwood's problem would be finding a tuner/tech to train him; from what he's said in the past, I don't think they're exactly dropping from trees there...

[mdw]

[Openwood]

Hmm, living in the Channel Islands certainly has its benefits but an abundance of tuners looking for apprentices is not one of them. But then again I would definitely consider relocating if I could find a way to make it work. Which course do you guys reckon is the best? I'd like to make some enquiries and see if this really could be done.

[Barrie Heaton]

You get them form trade mags or advertise

50% is lost because of good will
Some clients can go for 4 years before they Oh the tuner has not phoned.
When buying a round you give a small payment up fount then a % of the profit for 3+ years scaling down to 0%

I know some tuners who started off that way and have done well out of it and some got it wrong .

When a local tuner pops their clogs their clients tend to ask around music shops is the first port of call, they want recommendation's. if they have had the guy for a log time they are not going to trust the new kid on the block if no one knows them - you will pick up a few but most will go to the local established tuners unless you are charging peanuts and the guy who popped his clogs was as well

Anyone coming into this trade needs to be very good at communicating with the great unwashed 95% of this job is tuning your clients 5% is tuning the pianos



Barrie,
_________________
Barrie Heaton
Web Master UK Piano Page

[Barrie Heaton]

[mdw]

[Openwood]

[Openwood]

Looking at the thread under this one, the biggest problem is that I can't ever see myself using the word lubricant with a straight face. This is going to be a bigger challenge than I thought....

[Barrie Heaton]

[Barrie Heaton]

[sussexpianos]

think long and hard, I have had many people do a weeks work in my workshop to see if they want to work in the piano industry and I have to say, one out of 5 went to Newark. Its not an easy business and you will need to take on a second job for a few years until you build up a round/business. I worked restoring furniture for 3 years until I could get myself established enough. There are many tuners retiring but there are also not as many pianos due to electronic. I started college when I was 15 and did a 3 year course at Newark. I know for a fact I wouldn't do it as a career change as it would cost too much to train and build up the business.