Day in the life of a 20 year old piano tuner

Learn how to tune and repair pianos:
• How to become a profes...
There are so many "day in the life" videos out there that show a picture-perfect life, but I wanted to show you a raw version of what my life is actually like.
If you like the video and want to support me so I can keep making more free videos, like this video.... it helps a lot! Thank you :)

[@KevinRoddy]

Imposter syndrome…I know all about that. Thoughtful people learning a professional skill go through this…but the more skill you develop, the feeling will go away…it’s just part of the process….I’m glad you mentioned this! Aloha!

[@dups1822]

Not only are you killing it now, but it’s clear you care deeply about being professional and doing great work. Imagine where you’ll be in 10+ years! Keep up the great work.

[@InsertCleverName06]

I know it’s a small thing, but I really appreciate you putting the fact that you have morning Bible devos in the video!

[@K4Cubing]

That was a detail I noticed as well. Such a great thing!

[@shapeaca2117]

Having Religion in your life of any kind is really awesome, and it fills your life with purpose! It's also amazing you love Jesus!

[@leif1075]

​@@K4Cubingwhy is it so great if I may ask?

[@elijahison2187]

@@leif1075 It's great because it shows he has belief in Jesus Christ and if you know what that means you'd think it is great too, I highly recommend looking into it a great starting place is the Gospel's of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John In the New Testament, but I'll let it speak for itself Enjoy!

[@jacobday3826]

It's not great, twits who can't be good unless they have someone holding them accountable need god to feel a purpose and fear death so they use religion to hide that fear. ​@@leif1075

[@uhigldasdtyuiosagjk]

7:04 Difficult, but very enjoyable. I was recently given my friend's old Jansen piano that he didn't use. It turned out to have a LOT of problems. Like bunches of keys stuck together, keys that did nothing when pressed, keys that didn't move, mouse damage, water damage, insanely out of tune, etc. basically the worse piano possible. But, I ended up completely repairing it in a few days, and it was SO MUCH FUN. I learnt so much new things, I learnt how to repair certain problems, disassemble the action, etc. But most importantly I learnt how to tune the piano, so I would never need to pay to get it repaired or tuned. It was such an upgrade from the terrible keyboard I once played on, which had stiff/ hard to press keys, for some reason small keys, making it very annoying to play. But I'm so glad I was able to fix the piano myself. Actually, you probably had some sort of role in it, by helping me figure out some type of way I had to do to fix the piano, just from watching your shorts and remembering some things from them. Thank you.

[@matehavasi1153]

Honest pay for honest work. As an aspiring pianist I really appreciate your commitment to your craft.

[@chrisfanjoy6616]

As an aspiring piano technician myself I enjoyed this video very much, as it gave me a glimpse into what a day may be like for me a few years down the road. As a Christian myself I appreciate you acknowledging your faith, and I suspect that the financial rewards of this job are secondary to the knowledge that you are doing what God has called you to do.

[@BrittanyLLanders]

I just learned how to tune my piano! (video on my channel ☺️). But... I had bought the least expensive tuning kit I could find and the handle of my hammer snapped on my second tuning (about a quarter of my piano is in tune 🤦🏼‍♀️). So make sure you get a hammer with a wooden handle! As a Christian I appreciate your openness to share your faith. God bless!

[@tods2481]

Hey! I’ve binged watched all of your videos and I’m hooked- can’t wait for more!🎹🪛

[@trentwilliams6162]

I love the longer videos! It's great to see what another technician's routine is. Your videos are awesome!

[@robbicu]

The Steinway has the wrong logo on the fallboard for a Duo-Art of that era. Nice piano, likely an AR from around 1923. Steinway records will show that the piano was sold to Aeolian. Aeolian then added the player components. Whomever refinished the piano likely gutted the player, which is too bad. A Duo-Art can sound fantastic, and reproduce exactly the playing of artists such as George Gershwin. The Duo-Art components do not effect the sound or playing of an instrument in any way, so if you run across one with the player unit intact, recommend that the owner have it restored, or leave it for the next owner.

[@MrSlowR6]

I’m apprenticing right now as 19 year old very excited

[@leif1075]

Do you enjoy it and not want to do anything else?

[@hsimpson6581]

I love the longer videos. Best video ever! It was nice to see at the end that you do have fun.👍

[@bretmaples]

The school piano made me say Ewww when I heard how far out of tune it was. I'm a guitarist, but my mom plays piano. I've always wanted to learn how to play and learn how to tune them. I enjoy and appreciate your videos.

[@Greenmile76]

New Era and Grand Rapids, MI area… beautiful place to live!

[@the_oslovian]

This is so inspiring. Thanks to a short from your page randomly, I checked our the education possibilities of becoming a piano tuner in Norway. Turns out they are actually in really high demand. I have wanted to before but forgotten and I am looking for a new career. I think it might really really suit me. Thank you so much ❤

[@ianhaygreen9899]

Just found to your channel. My first job (at 16) was a piano tuner for a local company in our village. Learnt to how to tune, repair, rebuild, French polish etc. we also rented grand pianos for concerts (much fun moving those upstairs).

[@chapichapo5164]

Simple, impressive, and so inspiring .... Thanks you so much !

[@adriantjuuh]

that where some nice piano's you tuned. yesterday i tuned a Imperial grand from bosendorfer.. to be honest i was quite scared given the price on that grand piano.... but i all went well

[@Nickolas-rd4ue]

I know that 😊

[@adriantjuuh]

@@Nickolas-rd4ue the customer wanted me to clean the piano also, removed the action, that got me sweating a little.

[@MidwestPiano]

@@adriantjuuh Congratulations !!

[@dennisyounkin644]

Great job, you must be very talented. People will always pay for talent to do work..

[@kyuutatsu]

I keep a stash of oat bars and bags of oatmeal in my travel bag. This being because it’s not just a me stash, it can help others too sometimes

[@habitantedelatierra]

Wow this has been a very interesting and chill video to watch. It's great to know that you can live from what you do! Good vibes

[@darkvulpes4826]

It's suuuuch a chill format for vids! Would be good to see more!

[@thill47]

Good that you are listening for beat frequencies when tuning one note

[@ThatPianoGuy-kw1uk]

Great job, man. These types of videos are some of my faves. Keep it up!

[@Vibrationmusic_academy]

Hello, Sir! I am Swara Upadhyay from India 🇮🇳. I am a pianist as well as a violinist and i am 17. Since a past few years i have started learning how to tune the piano but have not been usually satisfied. I am self taught (about tuning), btw. I have watched many of your videos recently and i love all of them. You are doing an amazing job. Please read this comment and do reply as i would like to learn tuning with you. Looking forward for your positive reply! Regards, Swara

[@fortun8diamond]

What a nice relaxed lifestyle.

[@flyntoakwood2298]

Loving the longer video. Hope you will do more of these.

[@magicpotion7252]

Adored the intermission to show the cool bathroom sink in the restaurant haha!

[@waffles_dd]

You helped make me brave enough to learn how to tune. Thank you!

[@MidwestPiano]

Good luck in your pianocraft journey !

[@MyPapa16]

Dang, you should do more of these. Perfect video to start the day.

[@DanielMartinez-nw1pn]

You're pretty awesome dude

[@K4Cubing]

Since you charge extra for repairs, do you ask the piano’s owner before you make the repair? Or do you just go ahead and fix it? I could foresee angry customers with the latter option. But with the former, do you ever end up not fixing it because the customer doesn’t want to pay?

[@iliyareibarkh]

Great job, maestro

[@Oasisinstrumental-lu5ri]

great video i appreciate you and reading the Bible in the morning that is totally awesome! Keep up the great work you do tuning pianos

[@Coolthings929]

Quick question what app do you use to tune the piano

[@SammyBoe]

He uses the same app as me and it is Tunelab. It is roughly $300 for a licence to use. In my opinion it is a great piano tuning software. You can't just use any software to tune pianos.

[@MidwestPiano]

He's using Pianoscope

[@quicklylearnla]

Thanks for sharing really enjoyed watching your video. Keep it up. From Melbourne.

[@nicjansen230]

3:40 You said the camera doesn't do it justice, but I think it looks great. Many pianos these days are black as if they're trying to be extra fancy, but I prefer the regular wood color

[@cudelsx]

This is a really amazing video tbh

[@cudelsx]

Like the editing is good your talking was great the things you talked about were relevant to the video and I really love the advice and honesty you showed you truly are a humble human being I see so much success in your future

[@rekrapadept]

This is awesome! Wish there more 20 something tuners near me, but all the young people are off to college and a lucky few if any will be doing as well. That said, I bet there are even fewer people under thirty shelling out quarterly taxes lol.

[@Deviousahhz]

0:41 God Bless you, didn't know you were a fellow Jesus enjoyer!

[@rachelkit]

i have a question, where do u live (like which country?) i currently live in uk and my piano hasnt been tuned since like 2018🤧 was wondering whether u do like overseas service or not :)) love ur vids by the way!!

[@Makenor13]

7:23 😭 bro I'm italian, I did the conversion with the measures we use and basically you're paying gasoline 0,86€ per liter. As a term of comparison, in 1997 (27 years ago!) it used to cost 0,94 per liter here, and we didn't even have euros yet. In 2004 it was already over 1€ per liter and currently it's 1,8 per liter which is almost twice as much as it costs there in your place...

[@qwmx]

Learn piano, get your own piano and...SUPPORT THIS GUY!

[@map-reduce]

Enjoying the long form videos, hope to see more! Thanks for the interesting content.

[@Serperior-Deoxys]

I've been watching all your videos, catching up cuz I just found your channel after mentioning to my mom that our piano needed tuning. (The phones are listening) Anywho, after spending almost an hour online, looking at Baldwin Acrosonic models, I've noticed something strange. Ours has a unique music sheet music stand. I know it's a model from the 50s or 60s, but I can't find a counterpart for it. Also, this'll probably give ya a conniption but she's only been tuned twice in her lifetime. The most recent was in 97 when my mom had her tuned. I can say, she definitely needs it. Sad part, both the tuners in our area, they seem to be a bit shady at best... I dunno if others are just unlisted though. If you know anyone in The Woodlands, Tx area, I could use a hand here.

[@Paul-sv1jn]

Nice to see your great work!

[@MrSlowR6]

Pls do more of these brother I love them

[@el-campista]

Great job you do saludos desde México

[@rafaelbsan]

Saudações do Brasil! Sou um grande fã. Parabéns pelo trabalho. Queria ver mais vídeos de grandes pianos verticais.

[@user-qk2ex9cr4v]

You are a perfect doctor 😁

[@justinwatkins1588]

Thank you!

[@kevinwilcox9792]

Great video! I'd like to learn to tune but I don't think I have the patience.

[@justinwatkins1588]

Hello! I’m a fairly new piano technician in California, and was wondering how you calculate your mileage charge?

[@MidwestPiano]

He charges 50 cents per mile (saw this on his online scheduling tool). Good luck on your pianocraft journey !!

[@boyleiidea]

May the LORD bless you!

[@HowDoesItSoundPL]

Hello! In Europe we use titebond for glue wood... but in piano action I'll use bone glue... what do you think ?

[@MidwestPiano]

For field repairs, regular Titebond yellow wood glue will work for most repairs. For felt to wood, I prefer PVC-E glue. If you were working in the shop, then hot hide glue is probably the preferred method.

[@virginiavaleri2559]

MA CHE BRAVO!!!

[@durangodave]

is there a certification or special license required other than the normal LLC or business license?

[@BenMBass]

Often there'll be a local/national piano tuner union that you can get a license from, but that's not required to start tuning pianos or even to be a professional tuner- main reason to get licensed is so you can take a higher rate of pay and also some high prestige concert halls etc will want to use a certified tuner so they know their piano will be perfect when some famous pianist shows up to play a concert. Plenty of tuners make good money without being licensed by tuner unions however, so it's nothing to worry about, a lot of customers aren't going to be interested in paying extra for a certified tuner anyways

[@MidwestPiano]

@@BenMBass @durangodave The only certification that I'm aware of is from the national Piano Technicians Guild (PTG). There is a series of 3 tests to receive Registered Piano Technician designation (RPT). Tests are the Written Exam (history and knowledge), Technical (applied vertical and grand regulation / repairs), and Tuning (Aural tuning and tuning stability). These tests have to be passed by at least 80%. It will take anywhere from 2 to 5 years to have enough experience and skills to pass successfully in a single try.

[@amfwelsh]

Your doing great for someone so young. Only just found your channel. My friend Neil Archer has a piano KZbin channel, he plays so many different types of music, sure would appreciate anyone reading this checking his channel out.

[@prematureoptimism7125]

Very informative videos. Question : u ever have to replace the soundboard on a piano? Just curious 🤔 Personally I've got an old what used to be referred to as a "Tom Thumb." Just a simple small acoustic upright that's only 5 and a half octaves with a magnetic pickup rod that runs across the strings in order to amplify & modify the sound using the built-in Helpinstill system. Basically it's a piano for a traveling band that definitely needs an acoustic tone but can't afford to own, ship or rent a full grand or spinet. 🎹

[@collinparham350]

4:00 the original string sounds like it has more clarity/sounds clearer. the new one has more of a nasaly sound if you know what i mean.

[@davidavanderburgh]

I was taught that when tuning strings the hammer is supposed to be as close to parallel with the strings as possible. Thoughts? I feel like I shouldn't matter too much but it is a habit that I can't stop when tuning.

[@potongkelape]

Piano tuning in my country costs around (Ringgit Malaysia) RM130 only ($27.60) & my piano tuner is just like you, tuning about 3 pianos daily. He said he earns around 6-7k monthly. #JustSharing

[@QuentinKranz]

Nice! to get a sneak peak into your day as an Piano tuner. But tuning a Piano is kinda Easy (I own two Pianos) but tuning a Organ is diffrent

[@keatonjenkins1305]

The next song you should do it is a hymn The first Noel ❤

[@RenanRischiotto]

I'm curious, when gluing wood isn't supposed to let it curate at least for 24 hours? (I watch luthiers here on KZbin 😁)

[@Aminashins]

lets say he makes $600 a day Sunday-saturday that would mean that hes making $16,800 a month... that would also mean that he would make $201,600 a year😳. Thats as much as a commercial airplane pilot

[@Im-Muichiro-Tokito]

4:01 String 1 have a more mellow tone while string 2 have a more sharper tone

[@londonkyguy]

I wish you could get tuners in my area. Its a shame so many people in the area I live in is getting rid of their acoustic piano because they cant get service.

[@HyperTiger-ke3ju]

nice vid bro :)

[@elijahison2187]

BEst ViDeo oUt tHerE

[@kayastern-robinson24]

I do have some some feedback I would like a video that would be tuning the whole piano not in time lapse because I need to hear the tuning I also have good pitch So please in the next video do a full tuning of the piano

[@HahnJames]

I have to tune my saxophone every time I play it. Or, am I tuning myself to the saxophone? That's absolutely frivolous compared to what you do, though. I did not know, until now, that they made a player grand piano ...especially, Steinway. Do you know if that was part of that piano's original construction or was it an after market modification? I would think it would be easier just to install the player mechanism on original construction. Awesome video by the way! I'm looking forward to your next tuning adventure. May God fill to overflowing your cup of blessings!

[@SammyBoe]

Usually they are not after market modifications. Most of them are made as grand player pianos or upright player piano with everything in them when you buy it. Player pianos have tons of mechanical parts and tubes that would be difficult for someone other than a piano manufacturer to put in the piano. Unfortunately most player pianos out there are not in functioning condition which is sad because of how awesome player pianos are.

[@alexjbrenchleymusic]

7:49 Shave and a haircut

[@BenjiGrand]

The 1st string rung way shorter Ethan the other one who had a little round-ish sound.

[@maulik95]

Bro is making cheddarrrr

[@esparka]

What year is that Model M Steinway player grand? I have a 1924 Model M player… Thank you

[@iloveclassicalmusic1683]

Hi there, very nice !!! "How do you tune so fast? I'm a piano tuner in Venezuela, but it takes me 3 hours each time. Do you have any material to share that could help me improve the time I spend tuning?"

[@chrisvesty]

How do you find the impact lever? I’ve not been able to get on with them myself, preferring a long carbon lever for stiffer pins, but longer term maybe I’ll try again if it’ll reduce shoulder and wrist strain

[@ananya3382]

💜

[@Idontknowwhatthisissoimcool]

Wow

[@donalddumas6987]

I have other talents where I can do mechanical repairs to devices like pianos but I can't do the actual tuning. What your videos have done for me to tell people that their piano is repairable. I really hate to see instruments be discarded to the landfill.

[@luukschouten8293]

In curious, what app do you use on your ipad to tune?

[@gt_oliver]

Hey interesting video. What happens if you get a client has something minor for you check like a sustain pedal, squeaky pedals, buzzing or other things involved other that tuning when you show up to tune only?

[@Deviousahhz]

Pretty sure he'll go through it and charge a little extra based on what I've seen in his other videos.

[@a.c.f9298]

Name of the song please

[@nicjansen230]

What's the average amount of appointments in a day for you? I would guess not all weekends are off as some customers are only available on weekends? And is it always around 3 or so appointments in a regular day on the job?

[@all_bets_on_Ganesh]

That is my problem learning to read. Once i memorize a part of it i forget to focust on tge sheet.

[@LioMcAllisterMusic-sw4vj]

Thank for so much for this video! Almost $700 is fantastic. But do you consistently make that much money every work day?

[@andreapasqualin5958]

He said "not every day, but is totally doable"

[@youresoold1216]

What is the average amount of appointments you have and the payout each day?

[@analogemma]

I average around 3 appointments a day usually bringing in $5-700

[@The_Variable1]

4:10 - pretty sure a longer finish.

[@elgato2159]

dont you need some papers that's allows you to tune pianos?

[@DavidishkaPiano]

Hello, how come you charge exactly $183 for the tuning?

[@Im-Muichiro-Tokito]

3:50 wdym by player piano

[@filipjandus4537]

2 strings/ yeah the second one sounds like the old one. 30 buck for putting a drop of glue... hmmmm.... thats a good business xDD That's when the practice pays off x))

[@bvoyelr]

One thing you could mention is that a $700 day isn't really a $700 day. As a self employed individual, you have to pay your own income taxes (15% of your income off the top), FICA taxes (another 15%), then if you want health insurance, you don't have an employer plan, so you're paying top dollar for that. And since you technically make a lot of money, you probably don't qualify for any ACA discounts or subsidies. And if you're in a state with an income tax, that's a little more you gotta put aside. Mind you, it's a good problem to have, but having to put aside $200 out of the $700 you made is a hard pill to swallow. And that's before saving for retirement!

[@shanshanwang1271]

I guess that’s the penny which Beethoven lost.

[@GabbePC]

W fix mine rn

[@Idontknowwhatthisissoimcool]

Whys there lines

[@kulmanhahadeadaccoutlmao894]

what

[@redshoe555]

I think you’ve mentioned the Piano Technician Academy - is that the school you went through? How does that compare to the Butler School of Piano Technology or the Randy Potter School of Piano Technology? I’m trying to figure out which school is the one for me to start with! There are so many!

[@renatepolster8956]

Hello

[@Adventure_fuel]

Thumbs up for the Bible reading

[@Adventure_fuel]

Describing the details of capitalism