May 2020
Getting Back to Business
As the world slowly moves towards reopening, please be aware of the current situation in your area as you begin providing service. There is no one size fits all approach. The Piano Technicians Guild suggests members develop a protocol based on the severity of the pandemic in your local area and the comfort level, as well as any special situations of you and your customers. Share your safety precautions and expectations of customers with them before confirming appointments.

Developing a Protocol
  • Frequently check local trusted news sources to assess the situation in your service area.+ Review the CDC Guidelines for protecting yourself and others.
  • Review the OSHA Guidelines for providing essential in-home repair service.
  • How to approach a return to work is generating much conversation, ideas and debate at my.ptg.org. We encourage you to participate and learn how technicians from around the world are approaching returning to work.
  • The localized nature of the Covid-19 outbreak also lends itself to local discussions. PTG can help facilitate online meetings using ZOOM. Contact Barbara Cassaday (barbara@ptg.org) or Jim Fariss (sec@ptg.org) with the date and time of the meeting and they will schedule it for you through the PTG account. The requester will receive a reply email with the Zoom invitation information to forward to your members.
  • PTG Covid-19 Response information and links of use to Piano Technicians are maintained at https://www.ptg.org/covidresponse.

Customer Contact Resources
Need a way to reach out to customers? PTG has options available for members that can be easily customized for individual use. Visit  www.ptg.org/stayconnected   to find our newest offerings of texts and short videos you can cut and paste into emails and social media posts. Use them as a helpful way to stay in contact and encourage future appointments. Topics include:
  • How Do I Clean My Piano?
  • What Does A-440 Mean?
  • Regulation
  • Does it Hurt my Piano When Kids Pound On It?
  • The Expensive Free Piano
  • What’s the difference between a piano tuner and a piano technician?

PTG also has downloadable Reminder Cards with five new and updated full color designs. Each 8.5" x 11" page includes four of the same design. Download, print the page with your choice of design and cut into 4.25" x 5.5" postcards. Also includes a pre-printed page with a place to record the last tuning, or you can create your own customized card back. Works with Avery 8383 inkjet perforated 4/sheet cardstock postcards.
May Journal Available Online
Your May 2020 issue of the Piano Technicians Journal is now available at my.ptg.org.
Here’s a sample of what’s inside:
  • A Day with Rick Baldassin, RPT, with Carl Teel
  • Core Competencies in Piano Repair: Resurfacing Hammers Part II
  • Regrouping, Resetting, and Comparing Some Stanwood Basics Installment 15
  • Before Equal Temperament Reigned Part 2
  • Practical Technician: Upright Hammer Mating
Use your PTG login username and password to log in to  my. p tg.org . You are receiving the online  Piano Technicians Journal  as a PTG member benefit. View the May 2020 Journa l.
Wanted: Journal Materials
Have knowledge or expertise you've always wanted to share? Now is a good time to turn that idea into an article for The Piano Technicians Journal. The PTJ staff is looking for material for future editions and is interested in recruiting new authors and content. Please send a note to editor@ptg.org with your ideas. For more information go to the Author Resources page . View the April 2020 issue onlin e.
Know Someone Not Receiving PTG E-newsletters?
More than ever, PTG is using electronic communications to communicate with members. If you hear someone say they haven’t been receiving PTG news via email, please encourage them to send a note to  ptg@ptg.org . They may have unsubscribed in the past or have issues with blocked emails. We can send a resubscription link or help solve transmission issues.
Tips, Tools & Techniques Searchable Database - New Member Benefit!
TT&T editor Scott Cole has compiled a list of more 800 individual TT&T articles and they are now available as a searchable index at  www.ptg.org/ttt . You can search by keyword title, author or topic. This list contains every TT&T item published in the Piano Technicians Journal from May 1994 to April 2020. Items going back to January 2008 are currently linked to Journal PDF’s. This is a work in progress, so check back for updates.
Interested in Being Part of a Mentorship Program?
The Education Committee is currently working on developing a mentorship program and would like to hear from those of you interested in being mentors. Many of us have had mentors and know the important role they played in our lives. The piano business has changed over the past few decades. There simply are not as many opportunities as there once were to apprentice in a piano shop or work for a dealer. And don’t forget, the mentee is not the only one that benefits from this kind of arrangement. Very often, it’s the teacher who stands to benefit the most. Read more about the program and use the sign-up page to show your interest in participating as a mentor .
Upcoming Deadlines
May 22
  • Final chapter and committee Bylaws proposals due to the Bylaws Committee. Any chapter or committee needing assistance in wording proposals should contact the Bylaws Committee prior to the deadline. Send proposals to bylaws@ptg.org or visit the Bylaws Committee page at www.ptg.org. Please use the template to submit a bylaws change.
June 11
PTG Green Initiative
As adopted in 2005, the Council Book of Resolutions states, "Home Office and PTG membership shall be environmentally aware." Over the last year, the HO has been working towards eliminating the printing and mailing of such things as newsletters, supplements, invoices and monthly statements. Please  update your profile online  or contact the HO if we do not have your current contact information.