Upcoming Reyburn CyberTuner Classes at PTG and other conventions

Dean Reyburn, RPT , Nate Reyburn, RPT , Carl Lieberman, RPT , Fred Bath, RPT and Dave Lamoreaux, RPT will be teaching classes on Reyburn CyberTuner at PTG Regional Conventions and other locations (see below for contact info). One class is introductory, the other intermediate to advanced. If you're new to RCT, computers, or visual tuning, take the Intro class before the Advanced class.

We plan on exhibiting and/or teaching at the following organized Piano Technician conventions and seminars:

September 30, 2010--October 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CONFERENCE
Sheraton Airport Hotel
Charlotte, NC
Contact: Jeff Owens
606 Kentberry Drive, Charlotte, NC 28214
Phone: 704-393-9074
owenspiano@hotmail.com

March 3 - 6, 2011
WESTPAC (WESTERN & PACIFIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE)
San Francisco Airport Marriott Hotel
Burlingame, CA
Contact: Bruce Stevens
Phone: 562-925-3065
bruce.stevens@verizon.net

April 28 - May 1, 2011
MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL CONVENTION (MARC)
Hotel Bethlehem
Historic Bethlehem, PA
Contact: Steve Taylor
Phone: 215-534-0533
stevetaylor@ptgmarc.org

July 13 - 17, 2011
54th ANNUAL PTG CONVENTION AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
Hyatt Regency, Crown Center
Kansas City, MO
Contact: Sandy Roady at PTG Home Office
4444 Forest Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66106
Phone: 913-432-99756
Fax: 913-432-9986
email: ptg@ptg.org
Dean Reyburn, RPT, Nate Reyburn, RPT, Martha Reyburn, Bethann Reyburn, and Carl Lieberman, RPT will be teaching and exhibiting.

Class descriptions:

Class 1: Introduction to the SMARTER Reyburn CyberTuner and Pocket RCT
In this class we quickly cover RCT basics, then demonstrate using RCT's Smart Partials analyzing a piano's inharmonicity to create smoother transitions at the breaks. We also explore basics such as quick, accurate pitch raises, and converging the ear's aural preferences with a machine's digital decision making using RCT's Custom Equalizer and Pianalyzer tools.

Class 2: Advanced Reyburn CyberTuner techniques
RCT's more powerful features will be shown: using RCT's graphs and spreadsheets to analyze and predict the sound of a tuning; Custom EQ which lets you preview aural intervals and micro-adjust the stretch of each octave; Limits, which auto-modifies a tuning if it detects scales problems, e.g., on a spinet; Pianalyzer which displays volume, sustain, pitch, and inharmonicity of 16 partials for any note; converting to one of RCT's 57 built-in Historical Temperaments or creating your own.

Class 3: Pitch Raising with Reyburn CyberTuner
Whether you use a laptop or Pocket PC, using RCT's automated pitch raise program, one quick pass (15 minutes) leaves most notes within a cent or two for pitch raises of 50 cents or more. RCT auto-measures each note and auto-calculates its overpull using each note's optimal overpull percentage from a custom chart. New feature: you can now create, name, and save your own customized overpull percentages charts.

Class 4: Hybrid Tuning Combining Digital and Aural Techniques with RCT
Aural versus electronic tuning is the wrong question. The right answer is Hybrid tuning, which combines aural and digital techniques to help you tune more efficiently, accurately, and profitably. We'll use our ears and Reyburn CyberTuner to explore this concept, including when (and how) to stretch more or less, tuning aftertouch, improving your stability and unison tuning, hearing how to choose a low bass tuning partial, and more. Advanced RCT techniques demonstrated will include Custom EQ to preview scale problems; Limits which automatically modifies a tuning based on scale deficiencies (eg, the accursed spinet); Pianalyzer which displays volume, sustain, pitch, and inharmonicity of 16 partials for any note; and converting to one of RCT's 57 built-in Historical Temperaments or creating your own.

Class 5: Stability, Unisons and Tuning hammer technique
Unisons are the most hearable component of every tuning, if a unison is out of tune so is every interval of that note. If a string moves tomorrow, it doesn't matter where you tune it today. Tolerance for unison error is much tighter than any interval, even octaves. Stability and unisons greatly affect your chances of earning a living as a pro tuner. We'll discuss and demostrate methods to achieve a more stable tuning including both equipment and technique

Class 6: Aurally Troubleshooting the Midrange
Whether you tune aurally or electronically, you need to know how to hear, localize, and fix tuning errors left over from your initial passes. Using aural techniques only, we'll demonstrate efficient troubleshooting techniques to polish your tunings, such as interval prioritization, voting for the villain, and choosing the best aural tests. This class is designed for all tuners who want to be faster and more accurate (i.e., everyone) and should be especially useful for Associates who are preparing for the RPT Tuning Exam.

Class 7: Tuning Exam Prep
Are you worried about what goes on inside the Tuning Exam room? If so, this is your class. We'll explain: how to practice for the exam using an ETD as a tutor, how to score yourself and how the examiners master tune the exam piano. We'll cover exam time limits, detuning and the scoring procedures. We'll also show you some aural verification techniques which are especially important to examinees using an electronic tuning device. Questions encouraged.

Note: Dean Reyburn, RPT is a CTE (Certified Tuning Examiner), advisor to the PTG Examinatiton and Test Standards Committee, designated CTE trainer, and has taught the above Tuning Exam Prep class at seven National PTG Convention Institutes held in June or July.

Class 8: Developing your Private Practice Piano Tuning & Repair business
A practical how-to business class. There are several stages of developement in a piano tuning & repair business, we'll discuss practical methods for getting new business in the early stanges and maximizing your time and income for mature businesses. How to quickly fill your tuning & repair schedule with full price paying customers which you enjoy servicing. If you're not making $100,000 a year you need this class!

Class 9: Learning Aural Tuning for tuning device users.
Are you dependent on your tuning device? Want to learn aural tuning to pass the PTG exam? Do you have trouble verifying your tuning device's decisions by ear on a piano? This class gives practical techniques and information to start you down the road to learning aural tuning. This class will help with choosing an aural temperament sequence, aural interval rules of thumb, coincidental partials, and aural error detection techniques are just some of the topics covered.

Class 10: Impact tuning hammer technique
Impact tuning can reduce the strain on your body at the same time it allows you to tune with ease, stability and speed. This technique requires a different type tuning lever than the standard fixed tuning lever. We'll how to hold and manipulate the impact lever, different types available. Reducing the strain on your shoulder, neck and back are crucial whether you're just starting out or have been tuning for years. Impact tuning is an easier skill to learn for new tuners, and doesn't require upper body strength, just fine control. Top of page