August, 2020
A milestone in my life has just been reached. Forty years ago in 1980, I left my secure nine to five job and went into business. After five years working as a musical instrument repairer in a local music store, it was time to move on to bigger things - pianos. After studying every piano book I could find and a preliminary training session (which was to be the first of many) from an obliging Auckland technician I was ready to make the leap. On August 1, 1980, armed with my newly imported kit of specialist tools and a determination to succeed, I placed an ad in the local newspaper and waited for the phone to ring – which it did. Piano tuners/technicians have always been somewhat of a rarity and the few that you come across, will tell you that they are seldom short of work.
Piano tuning is a lifestyle profession where you can arrange appointments to suit. I see it as a privilege to be invited into homes both grand and humble, to do my work. A good chat with my clients and the offer of a cup of coffee or tea, is a bonus and seldom refused.
Do I regret trading my old nine to five job (which I enjoyed) for this lifestyle? Not at all!
