It is unfortunate that the Piano Technicians' Guild chapter which
Bruce Clark visited was populated by such arrogant types.  I once
held the opinion (also arrogant) that there was no point in my joining
the Guild.  I knew some members whose work was substandard and I did
not want to be identified with them.

Eventually I was won over by several other, very helpful, friends.
I (and my customers) have benefited much by my joining and going
through the certification process, to say nothing of the sharing of
knowledge, the instruction offered at conferences and conventions,
and in the monthly publication.

John Tuttle's advice to begin by practicing tuning unisons was right
on target.  Not, however, because they are easy.  The man who taught me
claimed that unisons in the end result are the most difficult part of
the tuning.  I agree.  He also told me that when I had tuned a thousand
pianos, I would find out I couldn't tune so well after all.  That has
proved out as well.  In that length of time, one learns to recognize
the subtle inconsistencies in work that at first sounded so perfect!

Bill Maxim, RPT