STUDENT INFORMATION Piano

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                           STUDENT INFORMATION
       
                                  *****
       
             Hopefully,  you have at least read through the text  of
        "STRICTLY  TUNING".  If you haven't read the mini-book  "HOW
        TO ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING YOU WANT IN LIFE" (menu entry  "Bonus
        Book)  which is on this disk, I recommend you do  so  before
        making a decision as to whether you wish to become a Profes-
        sional Piano Technician.
       
             I hope I have not made it sound too easy (or too  hard)
        to  enter this line of work.  It is neither.  However, I  do
        hope I was able to present enough information so you will be
        able to make an intelligent decision.
       
             If you decide to hitch your wagon to the ""tuning *", I
        am here to help you every step of the way.  This is a  great
        profession and my purpose is not just to peddle my knowledge
        to you for a few dollars.
       
             I  recently counted the number of tuners listed in  the
        yellow  pages  for the cities  surrounding  Virginia  Beach,
        Virginia.  There  are  less than 20  listed.   TWENTY  piano
        technicians for a population of well over a million people.
       
             At  least one survey made by piano manufacturers  esti-
        mated that one out of every 12 families owns a piano.  If we
        take  the average of 4 persons per family, we  can  estimate
        that  there are at least 21,000 pianos available in my  area
        for less than 20 tuners.
       
             When you add in the number of schools, clubs,  churches
        etc.  this figure easily doubles.  Many churches have up  to
        ten pianos (badly needing a tuning).
       
             A  little simple math tells you that if 20  tuners  are
        going  to tune 42,000 pianos twice a year, each tuner  would
        have to schedule over 4000 tunings per year.  That is  about
        11 pianos a day - 7 days a week.
       
             I feel comfortable tuning 3-4 a day, five days a  week. 
        I can't imagine tuning 77 pianos in a week.
       
             These  figures  should be just about the same  in  your
        area. In other words, this country needs tuners badly.   The
        average  age  of tuners is getting older  every  year.   New
        blood is needed and needed NOW!
       
             I currently advertise in two local (very local)  publi-
        cations  and receive just enough calls to keep  my  schedule
        workable.  A few years ago, I was advertising in just  about
        every daily and weekly paper in the entire area.  There  was
        no way I could keep up with the work, even with two  appren-






                                                                ST-2

        tice tuners working for me. I was turning down so much  work
        that it just didn't make sense to spend money for  advertis-
        ing only to tell people you have no time to help them.
       
             So  if you are wondering if there is a future  in  this
        business,  I hope my rambling narrative above has  convinced
        you that this will definitely be the least of your worries.
       
       
                            HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
       
             You  already have my written text including  everything
        you  need  to know to be able to tune a piano.  If  this  is
        sufficient, go for it - if not - read on.
       
        WHEN YOU REGISTER AS A STUDENT, YOU WILL RECEIVE:
       
        *    A packet of illustrations to attach to the empty spaces
        in the text.
       
        *    Two 60 minute tapes of me playing and verbally explain-
        ing these illustrations and all other aspects of the  tuning
        process.   Plus  many tips that just can't  be  taught  with
        written text.
       
        *    A BUSINESS/REPAIR disk containing:
       
             a.   How to set up and maintain your business
       
             b.   How to advertise for maximum response
       
             c.   How   to  set  up  your  files  (on  computer   or
                  manually). A recommendation for computer  programs
                  you can use for both your files and bookkeeping. I
                  will  tell you how to get these programs at  great
                  prices. I use these programs and I don't know what
                  I would do without them. (deductible expense)
       
             d.   Income  tax,  license requirements,  how  to  take
                  deductions  for use of your home for  Repair  Work
                  and  Office  Expenses,  Auto  expense  deductions,
                  Telephone expenses, Advertising - much more -   (I
                  also have a degree in accounting).
       
             e.   A list of tuning/repair reference books and supply
                  catalogs and where you can get them.
       
             f.   A  list  of the tools I use for minor  repair  and
                  recommendations as to how you should gradually add
                  to your collection.
       
             g.   A section explaining how to make minor repairs  to
                  your customer's piano in the home.   This  greatly
                  adds to your income.  A $45 tuning can easily turn
                  into  double that if the piano needs a  few  minor
                  repairs in order to be tuned.
       







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             h.   Diagrams of the Drop Action, Upright Action, Grand
                  action,  Console  action.  Also, Diagrams  of  the
                  Front, Back, Bottom and Inside of the upright  and
                  grand pianos.
       
                  These  diagrams have all parts numbered and  these
                  numbers coincide with the written text.  Almost as
                  good as a real live instructor.  Depending on  the
                  instructor, maybe better!
       
             i.   Many  other  miscellaneous tips I have  picked  up
                  over the years.
       
        *    The opportunity to correspond with me via audio  tapes. 
        You  send  me a 60 minute tape with your questions  on  side
        one, and I will answer them on side two and return it to you
        within  5 days after receipt. There is NO initial charge  to
        take  advantage  of this service and it is available  for  a
        full six months after enrollment.
       
             (Some  students need more help than others so you  just
             use this service when and if you need it.  There is  NO
             LIMIT on the number of tapes you can submit). 
       
        *    The  option  to  purchase your basic tuning  kit  at  a
        discount.  After you set up your business, you will be  able
        to  purchase all tools and supplies you will  need  directly
        from  the supply houses at tremendous discounts  -  normally
        50%.   This means when you sell your customer a piano  light
        for  $30-$40, you will make $15-$20 for just filling out  an
        order  form.  You have it shipped directly to  the  customer
        and  you  do  not even have to deliver  it  yourself.   This
        greatly  adds to your income with hardly any effort on  your
        part.
       
             (You do NOT have to register as a student to order your
             Basic  Tuning Kit from me.  Some of you may  decide  to
             try  your hand at tuning when you get into chapter  two
             of the text. If you don't have your own tools, just use
             the  order  form on this disk and save yourself  a  few
             dollars).
       
       
        *    When  you  feel you are ready, you may  apply  for  the
        course examination.  This is optional.  If you are going  to
        work for someone else, it may be helpful to have a  certifi-
        cate  of completion.  If you are opening your own  business,
        it may not be necessary.  The choice is yours.
       
             The  procedure is to send in a blank tape  (please  put
             your name and address on the outside somehow).  I  will
             record  the exam on side A and return it to  you.   You
             record  your answers on side B and return it.   I  will
             grade it and if you have convinced me that you do  know
             how to properly tune a piano, I will promptly send  you
             a  beautiful certificate of completion.  The tape  will
             be kept on file in my office as proof you completed the
             course. 
       
       




                                                                ST-4

              NOW FOR THE BIG QUESTION ON YOUR MIND
       
             Do you receive (as I do) countless pieces of  advertis-
        ing  in your mailbox?  The product looks great and you  read
        on and on and just cannot find the cost anywhere.   Finally,
        after  they  have convinced you that you  just  cannot  live
        without this item, they spring the price on you. ONLY  $.BIG
        BUCKS monthly for the rest of your life.
       
             Your big "high" about wanting this item is now sort  of
        shattered.  You just can't afford it - but WAIT!  Put it  on
        your credit card (and pay ONLY 18% or more interest).   This
        is  easy - so now you purchase a $100.00 item that is  worth
        no more than $25.00 just because it is SO easy.
       
             I must confess - I have done exactly the same thing.  I
        have  not yet given you a clue as to what you are  going  to
        have to pay for everything I have to offer.  SORRY!
       
             Just a little more tease...
       
             PLEASE  DON'T look at the following price breakdown  or
        the registration form yet.  Close your eyes and think  about
        how much the complete course is worth to you. 
       
             Reread  everything  under the heading "HOW CAN  I  HELP
        YOU".  Make a list of these services and put a $ cost off to
        the right.  Add them up and see what you come up with.
       
        READY??
       
                                    ****
       
                           EXPLANATION OF CHARGES           
       
        I think you are going to be pleasantly surprised.
       
        Registration, Illustrations and Audio tapes         $ 29.95
       
        Business/Repair disk including all diagrams            FREE
       
        Authorization to submit audio tapes                    FREE
        for technical support. Pay only if you
        submit tapes ($12.00 for each submission)
       
        Basic Tuning Kit (only if you need it)   $30.00         ?

        Examination, grading and Certificate                    ?
        (optional) $15.00 - See above                                     
       
        Telephone support for a FULL year                      FREE
        after completion of the course
       
                                   ****
       
             So there you have it, EVERYTHING you need to enter this
        profession  for  less than the cost of  TWO  tunings.   This
        course will pay for itself in less than ONE DAY of work!!
       





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             Please use the registration form provided on this  disk
        for all requests (see menu).  If you do not have a  printer,
        just write out your request as close as you can to the  form
        on screen.  Please print.
       
        REMINDER:
             You  do not have to register as a student in  order  to
             request  the  Basic Tuning Kit.  You may not  need  the
             tapes, illustrations etc.  But you will need tools.
       
        If you  have any questions about the course (in general)  or
        any questions about the profession, please call me on either
        Sunday afternoons between 1-3 PM or Tuesday evenings between
        7-9  PM (eastern standard time).  I am sorry, but I just  do
        not have the time to answer written correspondence.
       
                              (804) 499-9151
       
        Please press P to print out this file and then return to the
        menu by pressing ESC.
       
        Select REGISTRATION FORM from the menu and press ENTER.