Piano Tuning Training
Welcome to The Piano Technology School
We are the leading training provider of its kind in the UK, welcoming trainees from all over the world.
It is a great time to be thinking about training to be a piano tuner. Perhaps you are graduate who now wants short vocational training into a career as a piano tuner, or are you someone looking to change career? Then this could be the course for you!
The intensive course in piano technology is a practical hands-on introduction for anyone looking for a career as a piano tuner. The course is an introduction to piano tuning & repair, and offers an immediate pathway into work and further training.
Want the freedom to work for yourself?
Most tuners want to be self employed or work freelance. By enrolling on our intensive introduction to piano tuning and repair, you will be able to get the support in making that happen.
The aim is that students leave with a practical plan and skills needed to start their career path as soon as they leave us.
Alongside the technical training, relevant business training is also given focus:
Business seminars (including set up basics)
Piano tuning in the digital age
How to find and keep your customers
Customer service training
Career options and CPD
Individual support for next steps
Visits to industry and retail
Presentations and additional workshops from external experts
How to become a part of the global piano tuning community
Industry Relationships
We are also proud to be actively supported by those in the trade such as Kawai Piano UK and other leading piano companies, including Bluthner and Steinway London.
Students will attend a training day at Kawai HQ, visits to other companies are arranged when possible.
Increasingly the development of hybrid pianos will see more opportunities for those who have electronic or audio production skills.
All students will gain experience tuning real life customers’ pianos when possible and we try to help with finding relevant work experience and for those who would like to work with existing businesses.
Click here to read what some of our students went on to do.
“Kawai are pleased to work with the Piano Technology School and support their students during their training, particularly to provide experience with Kawai hybrid piano technologies such as Novus, AnyTime and AURES. This experience helps technicians to support a greater number of customers with the growing popularity of hybrid models.
The Piano Technology School provides an excellent foundation on which to develop a successful career as a piano technician where we have seen many go on to build their own business in the industry, work across our dealer network and even work with us at Kawai UK.”
Nigel Walker
Head Acoustic Technician at Kawai UK
FAQ’s
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The Piano Technology school is now based in the historic English market town of Rugby: famous of course for the invention of the game, and the large public school. Rugby is centrally situated in the heart of the English shires, surrounded by wonderful countryside and boasts fantastic transport links. We are a 5 minute walk from the train station and the town centre. The mainline runs between London and Birmingham and both are reachable within an hour. The M6 and M1 are both accessible within minutes from the school and Birmingham international airport can be reached by train in twenty minutes.
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The course is intensive both in terms of delivery and rate of learning. Having developed the training over the last 7 years, we know that this course is the shortest possible time frame for learning the foundation of skills you will then spend years honing out in the workplace.
Total duration is 18 weeks in 6 week blocks with a week off in between. These will follow along academic term times and are subject to change.
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Courses start in Feb / March and September.
The course runs three days a week Monday to Wednesday, with two long days face to face technical training. Wednesday is for structured independent practice, revision and business content & industry visits.
Thursday and Friday are for practice and of course for students to juggle work or family commitments. Historically piano technology training has been a long and padded out course that has excluded many. Our mission continues to offer those of you who want to be piano tuners a vocational professionally driven short course to get you on your way.
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Using the “ integrated Method” of teaching tuning, you will be taught the right technique to be able to learn to tune pianos both by ear and using an electronic tuning device ( ETD).
This method of teaching, helps students and speeds up the learning process. We have great working relationship with Dean Reyburn, creator of Reyburn cybertuner.
Workshop sessions cover all aspects of on the job maintenance and minor repairs you would be expected to do working as a profession piano tuner technician: replace a broken string, fix a broken hammer shank, voicing, action regulation etc. From September 2024, we have added Grand Regualtion to the course, which is reflected in the price increase, but we feel gives trainees valuable skills to offer customers and
employers alike.
As well as all practical hands on training the course covers:
History of the piano
Psycho acoustics
Piano Tuning Theory
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The intensive introduction to piano tuning & repair, does not cover full blown restoration, piano building or French Polishing. Anyone wishing to learn and develop these skills can do so once this foundation is completed successfully.
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There is currently no formal academic entry-requirement needed and all applications are carried out on a case-by-case basis. This is because we aim to be as inclusive as possible, and do not want to exclude anyone who may show the commitment, enthusiasm and ability to do the course, but who perhaps has not followed a traditional academic path. That said, our learning expectation is high and most of our students have an A level equivalent or equal experience. Many as we say are graduates.
We are experiencing an increased interest in those planning to train with us post A Level.
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The course is £8,950 and once a place is offered, is secured by a deposit of £2,000 with the rest to be paid before the course starts.
Payment schedules can be agreed upon on a case by case basis.
Student to teacher ratio is excellent with small groups working together in the workshop. You will have one-to-one tuning tuition and individually paced learning.
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You will not need to buy tools to do the course. This is because there are many different styles and weights of tools and it is important to find the right one that suits you. Tuning software is also provided for the duration of the training.
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It couldn’t be simpler. Fill out our online application form, telling us a little about yourself.
Or email it to admin@thepianotechnologyschool.com
We will arrange an informal chat with trainer and Director Steve Droy.
Once an offer is made, your place is secured with a deposit.
You are welcome to come and visit by arrangement. Please contact to arrange or for any other queries.
Assessments
The testing that takes place is in-line with what is contained within the PTA (Piano Tuner Association) assessment.
As a student of The Piano Technology school, you will be able to join the following associations:
PTA - The Pianoforte Tuners Association (europiano)
PTG - The Piano Technicians Guild
I.M.I.T - Institute of Instrument Technology
Membership of these organisations will provide discounts to a variety additional training masterclasses and conferences.
The PTA offers students a pathway to full membership after they have finished our course. Mentors are appointed to the who wish to take their PTA test. This can be done 6 months to 2 years after joining their scheme.
We are keen to offer these organisations as much support as possible and the future of the trade bodies is very firmly in the hands of the next generation of students.
Accreditation & Recognition
We have exceptionally good outcomes; in both getting people into jobs for further training & development and for those getting their tuning rounds successfully underway. Our retention and progression within the trade is also very good.
The world of higher education is complex and essentially a business as any other. We chose to be an independent training provider when we started. This means that our certificate is not (as yet) recognised by OFQUAL. The fact is there is NO academic qualification in piano tuning.
We wanted to offer relevant training and we are delighted that our outcomes mean that a certificate from us is recognised where it matters.
We now have two recent graduates employed at Steinway London, where they are working and gaining excellent further training in the workshop and tuning departments.
Head concert tuner Ulrich Gerharz is actively sending anyone he meets with an interest in tuning our way and we are excited to be working with him on developing further training opportunities.
“The piano technology school was life changing for me. After 23 years as a school teacher I was looking for a way out of the profession because it was grinding me down.
I am a pianist and have a passion for the instrument.
With the help of Steve at PTS I now run my own business called Fine Tune Piano. He taught me what I needed to know to become a commercial piano tuner.
I now go to work with a smile on my face to a job that I genuinely enjoy. I can’t thank him enough.”
Christopher Hacking
Fine Tune Pianos