PIANO TUNING AS A CAREER
Are you looking for a career that has a tremendous demand? Do you want to start a business where you can set your hours, have a great income yet with minimal start-up expenses?
Well piano tuning is a field that may be right for you. This is a trade that has not done well in recruiting newcomers yet there is tremendous demand for piano tuning and repair services.
Just a few years ago the statistics showed that if no new pianos were being sold, the number of existing pianos that would need continual tuning services would exceed 10,000 per active piano tuner. Considering most people continue to repair pianos from the turn of the century the potential for a new comer is bright.
So how do you begin? It's fairly simple. The first step is to acquire a piano tuning kit. It consists of 4 basic tools and will serve you as you enter into the tuning field professionally. The cost of the kit is approximately $59.00. Talk about low start-up expenses!
The next step is to have access to a piano, preferably one that is not really being used. However there are many old pianos that can be picked up just for moving them. Watch the classified ads in the newspaper, Craig list, Backpage and others for used pianos. Many can be bought cheaply but again many can be had just for the taking. If you pay a piano mover to transport it for you a typical move (not including any steps) will cost between $100-200.
You may want to meet a piano tuner, possibly one who is nearing retirement. Many times these professionals will be glad to mentor you. You probably won't make money if you do offer them a hand in some of their piano work but their knowledge and assistance can boost your learning experience forward much quicker.
With your tools and tuning course you can begin your piano tuning study. Within a few months you should, with plenty of practice be able to tune home pianos. You can expect to earn between $85-120 per tuning, depending on the area of the country you live in.
How to Build Your Business
Now that you are ready to move ahead you will need to acquire customers. To build your business:
Contact piano dealers; offer to tune some pianos at a reduced rate in return for them to refer calls that come in to them requesting a recommendation for a tuner.
Call on piano teachers, let them know who you are, offer them a discount for referrals, or even tune their piano for free. You may offer to tune their student's pianos at a reduced rate too.
Call churches, offer your services. Advertise in the newspaper, Craigslist, Backpage and other publications. Advertise in local music publications.
Set up a system so that you can record your tuning customers. Have a recall system to call and remind them (like your dentist does) a tuning is due. By doing so you help maintain the customer, you build a relationship them and build long-term business.
Piano tuning is a rewarding field of work. You'll find that when people at parties ask what you do that most people will find your work interesting. They usually ask several questions because it is a specialized type of craft.
If you're tired of the daily grind, no job security and would like to build something that's YOURS then a career as a piano tuner may just be the business for you.
Author:
Keith Hutson
The author has been tuning, repairing and rebuilding pianos for over 25 years. If you have any questions or would like to order a tuning kit and course contact him at :
kghutson@comcast.net
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