[Jobs] careers

[Michael Bullis]

One caviat about piano tuning in my observation is that it does require
a lot of travel.  As you might suspect, you go to the piano, it doesn't
come to you.  Also, my sense, from talking with piano tuners is that the
market is getting smaller and smaller as more and more musicians use
some form of electronic keyboard.  Also, there was a time in our past
when it was traditional for people to have pianos in their homes.  Often
this was because they played and often it was more of a furniture
accessory.  That trend has diminished over the years.  I guess what I'm
suggesting is not that you should discard the idea, just do your market
research carefully.
Mike bullis 

-----Original Message-----
From: jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Pamela Maxon
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 6:04 PM
To: pianotune05 at comcast.net; jobs at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Jobs] careers

I agree with Marshall's summation of Emil Fries Piano Hospital in
Vancouver, WA.  It is right across the river and state line from where I
work at the Oregon Commission for the Blind.  We had a rep from the
Piano Hospital speak to our clients just a few months ago.  It does have
a great reputation for someone with a good ear, who is mechanically
inclined, is customer service oriented and is self motivated.  While
most graduates go into business for themselves, retail piano stores are
another source of employment.  Contact them if you think you might be
interested.  They will be happy to give you a tour and have you sit in
on a class or two so you can further assess your interest and aptitude
in this field.  Good luck!  Pam

>>> pianotune05 at comcast.net 10/3/2006 10:21 AM >>>
HI Pam,
I noticed that you're a career specialist, so I thought I'd write with a
question.  What ideas do you have that a sight impaired person could use
inorder to market their business on a zero or next to zero budget. 
I'm trying e-mail and telemarketing and flyers both for me and my wife
who has a seperate business.  

I'm a piano tuner/technician and she cleans houses.  She is fully
sighted and I'm not.  So marketing is tough .  

As for the medical transcription, I agree with you that it's a better
way to go than an executive secretary.  Piano tuning is a good field if
you know someone whom you could learn from Nicki, but I'm bias however. 
There is a school in Washington state that specializes in teaching the
blind and partially sighted to tune pianos called The Emil Freys school
of piano technology, or it either was called this and is now The Piano
Hospital, or the other way around.  They're located in Vancouver WA.  

Thanks for your ideas Pam in advance, and Nicki, I hope my ideas help
too.  Take care everyone.
Marshall Gisondi
Piano Tuner/Technician
Villa Park, IL
630-833-3978