Piano Technicians Guild
WESTPAC - Western and Pacific Regional Conference
February 27-March 2, 2014
Sofitel Hotel, Redwood City, CA
Regulation Classes
NOTE: Click on an instructor's name to see a bio.
All-Day Friday Grand Regulation Actionpalooza (Renner, USA)
Rick Baldassin, RPT, and Carl Teel
Rick Baldassin, RPT - Renner USA
Rick
received his education and piano technology training from Brigham Young University.
He is the author of the book On Pitch, which was recently re-published.
Rick served as the Tuning Editor for the Journal from 1987 to 1991.
His teaching has taken him to piano factories and conventions throughout the
United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Korea and Australia. Rick has served
as the Concert Technician for the Utah Symphony for over 20 years, and has
been the Teaching and Technical Consultant for Renner since 1989. He has been
trained in the concert and artist programs of Fazioli, Steinway and Yamaha,
and has been a consultant to the Falcone, Mason & Hamlin, and Pramberger
Piano Companies. Rick also serves as the Technical Support Director for Fazioli
in North America. He is a Member of Note, Jim Burton, and Hall of Fame award
winner. Rick and his wife Cindy currently operate Baldassin Pianos, a full-line
rebuilding and retail showroom located in Salt Lake City.
Carl Teel - Renner USA
Carl
has been repairing and restoring pianos for over 30 years. He has been a member
of PTG since 1976, and since 1979 has served continuously as Treasurer of the
Salt Lake City Chapter. Carl was instrumental in running the Utah Intermountain
Seminar for a number of years. He is a popular instructor at local, regional
and national conventions, and is a consultant to piano technicians throughout
Utah.
This all-day class sponsored by Renner USA, is the popular Are You Still Regulationally Challenged class on "steroids." Each student will regulate a grand action model according to a step-by-step procedure. The instructors will check all work for accuracy before moving on to the next step. The class will be hands-on, and the necessary tools will be provided.
NOTE: Limit 24 Participants – Pre-registration Required
All-Day Vertical Regulation & Action Diagnosis (Hailun)
Keith Bowman, RPT, and Mike Carraher, RPT
Keith Bowman, RPT
Keith
has a broad background in woodworking spanning over 30 years. His interest
in piano technology began in 1979 leading to an apprenticeship and eventual
management position in a full service shop learning service and restoration
of pianos, players, reed organs and harpsichords. In 1984 he started his company,
Bowman’s Piano Service. Keith has been a PTG member since 1982 and an
examiner for the RPT exams for 20 years. He originated a full product line
of tuning and voicing tools, as well as shop fixtures, for Renner USA, and
is a technical consultant for Hailun USA.
Mike Carraher, RPT
Mike
has been a member of PTG since 1979 and an examiner for the RPT exams since
1981. He designed the first repair jigs for the technical exam and still participates
in their construction. For over 20 years Mike has taught various tuning and
regulation classes at the local, regional and Institute levels. He makes shop
fixtures for Renner USA, and is a technical consultant for Hailun USA.
Mike has owned and operated Carr’s Piano Service in Elizabethtown, PA
for over
25 years.
Featuring comprehensive procedures in upright action diagnosis and regulation. Specific topics will be demonstrated, including regulating damper timing and damper spring tension, setting after-touch, and the effects of friction. Several class props are used including a large scale vertical action model. Specialized regulating tools and fixtures are demonstrated. If you are interested in complete, accurate upright regulation with emphasis on consistent after-touch, this is the class!
Annual Piano Maintenance
Yamaha Team
For any piano, annual maintenance is necessary. But it is especially critical for pianos that will be used in areas with high performance expectations. We will show you a spreadsheet time-line layout that is adjustable for any situation.
Comprehensive Service of the Boesendorfer
Yamaha Team
Highlighting some of the unique characteristics of the Boesendorfer, we will outline a comprehensive service that addresses the most important issues and most commonly needed procedures for bring out the best in touch and tone
Key Bushing the Spurlock Way
Ryan Sowers, RPT, and Jean Sowers
Ryan Sowers, RPT, and Jean Sowers
Ryan
Sowers learned the Spurlock keybushing method in the early 1990s. Later he
helped Bill Spurlock sell his tools at a number of nnual conferences. Ryan's
accomplishments include being a CTE, serving on the national Institute Team,
completing all 5 Steinway factory seminars, and receiving the James Burton
Award. Jean Sowers joined the business is 2002 and in addition to managing
a six figure piano service business, she is our shop's key bushing specialist.
Keybushings: The foundation for an accurate regulation. New bushings allow for less frustration and greater accuracy when leveling, spacing and dipping keys while keeping friction and noise to a minimum. Bill Spurlock and Fern Henry presented this program to packed classrooms back in the early 1990's. Now we have exclusive permission to use their materials to present this updated and efficient approach.
Trouble Shooting the Performance Piano
Roger Jolly
Mr.
Jolly has worked in the piano industry for the last 35 years, and has worked
in most areas of the profession. During this time he has worked as a Salesman,
Piano Technician, Rebuilder, Designer, Manufacturers Technical Consultant,
and Clinician. Currently he is working for the Samick Music Corporation as Director
of Product Development, overseeing the assembly of the Knabe and JP Pramberger
Grand pianos. As an International Clinician, he has been a featured guest speaker
at major conventions in Canada, United States, New Zealand, Norway, Australia,
the Czech Republic and Korea. Mr. Jolly is a member of the Master Piano Technicians
of America, the Piano Technicians Guild, and the Canadian Association of Piano
Technicians. He is widely published, and active as a Master Class Clinician.
He is the recipient of the prestigious Jack Greenfield Award for Research and
Writing (Piano Technicians Guild 2001) and the Outstanding Achievement Award
(Canadian Association of Piano Technicians 2000). He is the contract rebuilder/concert
technician for the University of Saskatchewan, Department of Music.
Triage!!! What can we do to quickly improve an instrument when we have
no time?
This class will be step by step approach to getting optimum performance
in an efficient manner along with a detailed look at what the pianist
is really looking for but cannot verbalize. Instruction will be given
on what affects tuning stability on the concert stage.
What Matters, What Doesn't: Prioritizing Work in a Changing Market
Mario Igrec
Mario
Igrec,
a native of Croatia, taught piano technology and served as piano technician
during his eight-year tenure at Louisiana State University. As an independent
concert technician and master rebuilder, he has serviced and rebuilt many pianos
in southern Louisiana, and has worked for Richard Goode, Jon Kimura Parker,
Garrick Ohlsson, and other renowned pianists. Himself an award-winning pianist,
with a Master of Music degree from SUNY Stony Brook, he brings to the field
a unique perspective that bridges piano technology and pianism.
In the era of tight budgets and dwindling amateur use of the piano, paying attention to the needs of a serious piano performer, teacher, and student is a must. With his unique perspective as a master pianist, former head technician at Louisiana State University, and a concert technician and rebuilder, Mario Igrec will explore prioritizing servicing and prep for our most lucrative market. We can no longer afford to spend a lot of time on the stuff we're comfortable with, convincing ourselves that "that must improve things." Instead, we must focus on procedures that mean the most to the player. Learn to see your work through the eyes and fingers of the pianist, and join Mario on this journey of "What Matters and What Doesn't."