All-Day Technical Exam Preparation Class
Regulation and Repairs Hands-on Mentoring
New this year: Two different regulation tracks, for the more or the less advanced student.

Israel Stein, RPT,  Debbie Cyr, RPT, Ann Fell, RPT, Eric Nikiforoff, RPT, John Rhodes, RPT, Dave Davis, RPT, Michael Gutowski, RPT. Steve Walthall, RPT.

Fees -$50.00 early/$65.00 late. Pre-registration required (click here to download form). You must bring your own tools - repair materials will be provided. Limit 36 students.

This class is aimed both at students well on their way to attempting the Technical Exam and at students who are first exploring the areas covered by the exam.

Repairs: you will be provided with your own individual jig on which to practice procedures for each exam repair task you choose to work on. Prerequisite: familiarity with tools and materials.
Advanced Regulation: you will be provided your own individual grand or vertical action model to regulate.

Prerequisite: knowledge of basic regulation functions (or “steps”) and familiarity with the tools needed.

Multiple instructors will be available to students in the Repairs and Advanced Regulation sections. They will offer demonstrations, individual assistance, tips and feedback on your work, but you will spend as much time as you feel is needed to develop competence in your chosen task(s).

Elements of Regulation: In a guided group setting, we will explore the workings of the piano action from within,  through a series of exercises and discussions. Working in pairs on action models students will learn the relationships between various regulation functions (or steps) and what effect each adjustment has on how the action functions. 

Class is open only to PTG Associate members. You must state your choice of tasks for this class on the Technical Exam Preparation Class pre-registration form

All-Day Tuning Exam Preparation Class
Tuning Exam Hands-on and Ears-on Mentoring
With RPTs Paul Brown, Jim Coleman Sr., Dave Conte, Alan Crane, Audrey Karabinus, Keith Kopp, Christine Lovgren, Dan McElrath, Teri Meredyth, and Jack Stebbins.

Fees -$50.00 early/$65.00 late. Pre-registration required (click here to download form). Bring your own tuning hammers and ETDs. Limit 33 students.

--Orientation to the Tuning Exam: Taught by mentors from the skill segments to follow, this exam brief will help you get your bearings and roll up your sleeves for the 45-minute skill segments to come. Your group’s sequence for the day may include:
--Where’s the Beat?: Set and check A440, locate beats, and aurally test midrange intervals.
--Unisons: Why say more when we could just say it several times?
--Plug Into Aural Tuning / Basics and Advanced: Who programs whom? Learn aural tuning techniques to cross check your ETD, and ETD checks for your aural tuning.
--P4-P5-P8: Drill the essential crosschecks for these midrange
building block intervals.
--Temperament: The Baldassin-Sanderson temperament you can refer to in the PACE lessons.
--Nitpicking in the Midrange: How do you refine your temperament to make it exam- ready? Try out checks to decide which notes must be moved to smooth out the rough spots.
--High Treble Aural Tuning: If you plan to take the tuning exam aurally, this review of high treble checks will be essential. If not, attend an advanced ETD segment instead.

Skills build up through the day for each group as follows. Choose your group on the class registration form.
Red: Find beats, practice unisons, crosscheck ETDs, P4-P5-P8 checks, + temperament.
Yellow: Unisons, crosscheck ETDs, P4-P5-P8 checks, temperament, + nitpicking.
Green: P4-P5-P8 checks, M3 + M6 beats, unisons-stability, nitpicking, daily ETD use, + high treble.

Which sequence is for me???
Red: Everything is still pretty new. I always tune with an ETD and can be lost without it. I’m learning a temperament but always seem to get stuck. What does “4:2 octave” mean?

Yellow: I’ve been tuning for a while but usually with an ETD so my ears are rusty. I know a cross check for the P5 but I can't always remember it or interpret it quickly. I learned a temperament but its not working out for me. I’m not sure I hear the M 3rds right.

Green: I’ve been meeting with a coach to work on refining the aural midrange. I am familiar with aural midrange checks for the P4, P5, and 4:2 P8, and use them constantly. I’ve been using a temperament regularly with some success.
(Still not sure? Contact Audrey Karabinus turn236@earthlink.net)
Tutoring Station: Available all day in 20 minute sessions. Sign up on the class registration form to assure a spot, or later at the door! Ask for feedback on specific concerns or on your exam preparations.

Take the Exams (PTG Associate members only)
RPT Written Examination
Paul Brown RPT, Southwest BC Chapter, ETSC Exam Policy Board (Administrator)
This is the class period when the ETSC offers the RPT Written Exam. If you want to take this exam, come to the room indicated on the schedule. Visually impaired technicians will take their exams in the ETSC office. Please fill out the RPT Exam Application form and submit it with your registration form. 

RPT Tuning Examination
By appointment only. Please fill out the RPT Exam application and submit it with your registration form.

RPT Technical Examination
By appointment only. Please fill out the RPT Exam application and submit it with your registration form.

Examiner Training
Becoming a CTE
Audrey Karabinus, RPT, Seattle Chapter, ETSC Exam Policy Board (Tuning)
Whether you are an RPT who helps give tuning exams, an RPT working toward becoming a CTE, or a CTE, getting better at giving exams is an ongoing process. Together we will crack the manual, review procedures and scoring, and discuss issues that can arise in administering exams and master tunings. (CTEs, trainees and RPTs only, please.)

Technical Examiner Training
Israel Stein, RPT, San Francisco, CA Chapter, ETSC Exam Policy Board (Technical)
Lead examiners on PTG Technical Exams must be certified as TEC’s (Technical Examiner, Certified) in order for the exam to be valid. We will discuss the certification requirements, demonstrate exam equipment, analyze the skills and attitudes required of a competent examiner and talk about common exam problems and issues. All RPTs with an interest in Technical Testing - veteran certified TECs, TEC trainees and RPTs just thinking about getting involved in testing - are invited to attend. Active TEC trainees are required to attend in order to be certified. (TECs, trainees and RPTs only, please.)