There is a desperate need for new piano technicians, both in the Rogue Valley and across the country.

What does it take to be a piano technician? A piano technician should:

Enjoy and have some knowledge of music (ideally some rudimentary piano skills), enjoy working with their hands, like to fix and twiddle with mechanical things, have better-than-average patience and capacity for detail work, tolerate working many hours alone yet be able to relate to a wide range of customers, and be self-motivated to learn and grow. A technician should also have high ethical standards. Remember, people are letting us into their homes to work on their musical instruments–they should trust us!

Do I need to have perfect pitch?

No! We don’t tune pianos that way.

How does one get training?

There are many paths to training, but the most important is finding a willing mentor. Barb and I are both willing to train the right person. I expect a commitment to pass the tests of the Piano Technicians Guild and become a Registered Piano Technician. That takes some practice and practical knowledge; a determined person could probably pass the tests in about two years or so. There’s a lot to learn…

The certification for RPT involves three tests: a written test of general piano knowledge, a test involving regulation and common repairs, and a test of aural tuning skills. They are not easy, but with the right training and some practice they should be passable to a determined technician.

What are the advantages of being a piano technician?

As an independent technician, you are your own boss! The most important thing these days is that you will be in high demand.

What kind of investment does it require?

To get started, you just need a few things: A tunable piano, and a few simple tools; tuning lever, a few rubber mutes, a couple of screwdrivers and other items. Eventually, you will accumulate a large variety of tools, spare parts, and materials to handle most on-site jobs; expect to spend a couple thousand dollars in the end. We can guide you in this process.

Practically speaking, you’ll need a dependable vehicle and free time to meet at customer pianos or our shops. Eventually, you will need at least some kind of small shop space.

How much can I make as a piano technician?

In the beginning, not much. You’ll start by tuning pianos for free in church basements or for friends. Then, maybe do floor tunings (again, for free) at a piano dealer. Eventually, you’ll feel confident to charge for your services, and word of mouth will spread. Your mentor will say “I think your tunings are sounding pretty good.” You’ll earn your RPT and raise your rates, and learn to tackle trickier repair jobs. Before you know it, you’ll be swamped with customers!

But, we’re not trying to sugar coat it: It takes time and diligence to build a customer base, just like it does for real estate agents, music teachers, and other professions. Having a working spouse (with health insurance) will help.

Want some numbers?

Scott charges $140 for a tuning. However, in reality, most service calls tend to run a little more due to pitch raises, cleaning, adjustment, or repairs. So let’s say the average 2-hour service averages about $150. If you schedule three calls a day, you can gross $2250 per week. If you take a month off each year, that comes out to just under $100,000. This does not take into account other activities, such as big repair jobs or grand piano regulations. Of course, don’t forget about insurance, vehicle expenses, and saving for retirement. (Keep in mind that qualified technicians can work full-time for universities or dealers.)

How many clients does it take to make a living?

That’s not an easy answer, especially as many customers are “one-timers” who will never have their piano tuned again, and some have theirs meticulously serviced on a regular basis. On average, it probably takes a roster of about 1000-2000 customers to maintain a full schedule, pay your expenses, and make a decent living. However, those customers are out there!

Are there schools for piano technology?

Sadly, fewer and fewer. One of the best is the North Bennet Street School in Boston. There are piano technology programs attached to Florida State and Oberlin College. The Piano Technicians Guild offers classes at their national convention and regional conferences, as well as at their home office in Kansas City, MO. There is a wide variety of books, videos, and technician forums out there.

Aren’t pianos becoming obsolete? Isn’t everyone buying electronic keyboards?

No. People still want to play real, acoustic pianos, and there are plenty of them out there. Most are aging and need service. People often buy electronic keyboards and tire of the gimmicks, the poor touch, and the artificial sound.