Hi All,  There's another side to this conversation that I've been
considering writing about for some time.  But, I've been hesitant to
say anything because I felt it might be construed as 'tooting my own
horn'.  However, facts are facts.

The fact is, there has been a marked increase in the number of younger
piano technicians who have made the decision to get involved with
player pianos.  They've told me, either directly or indirectly, that
the information at Player-Care, and most especially the videos, helped
them to understand that they have the skill sets and most of the tools
required to work on player pianos.  In a sense, the videos are like the
mentor showing the apprentice 'how it's done'.

When I started shooting videos to demonstrate various things, I adopted
the technique used by Craig Brougher.  Basically speaking, he turned
the camera 'on' and let it run, mistakes and all.  And, to a large
extent, he didn't do any editing.  His thought, which he states in more
than one of his videos, was that if he made a mistake, the viewer was
most likely going to make a similar mistake.  So, by leaving that
mistake and his explanation of how to handle that mistake in the video,
the viewer gets two benefits: One, how to deal with the mistake, and
Two, and more importantly, that even a highly skilled professional
makes mistakes.

Here's my suggestion and offer.  To those who are concerned about the
future of our respective trade, start shooting videos while you're
working.  They don't have to be fancy.  As you're working, talk to the
camera as though you were talking to an apprentice who is standing
right there watching you work.  Explain why you're doing what you're
doing, and give the 'apprentice' your insights.  Then, upload those
videos to YouTube.  That's my suggestion.

My offer is this; If the video has to do with player pianos, send me
the link to the video along with your permission to use the video in a
web page at Player-Care.  If you'd like to have specific text in the
page, send that too.  If not, I'll watch the video and determine how it
can best be used as a teaching tool, and I'll link it to other similar
information that's already at the site.  If you'd like to include still
pictures, that's fine too.  (I have well over 100 gigabytes of unused
space at my server.  So, there's plenty of room for thousands of
pictures.)

Naturally, unless you would rather not be identified as the creator
of the video, you will be given full credit for the video.  Also, I can
include any other information you'd like included in the web page, i.e.,
that you're retired, that you're accepting new jobs, that you're willing
to assist others, that you'd like a link to your website, etc., etc.

The goal is to get what you know into the hands of those who need
the information.  You don't know how many times I've heard from
professionals who have said to me, "Gosh John, I wish the information
you have at Player-Care had been available when I started working on
players."

Realistically, there aren't a whole lot of things we can leave behind
when we die that have any real lasting value, but one of those things
that do have lasting value is information.  Help preserve the trade by
preserving what you know.

Musically,
John A Tuttle
Player-Care.com
Brick, New Jersey