Piano Tuning & Technician Careers in New York

Kevin Busse May 04, 2024
236 People Read
Vic Hernandez and Kevin Busse

Where can I get a full time Piano Tuner Career?

Interested in piano tuner jobs in the New York tri-state area? Consider working with Faust Harrison Pianos. It's an incredibly dynamic atmosphere for technicians (and pianos)!

Faust Harrison Pianos Team

While you don't have to be a true expert (yet) or a "Certified Piano Technician," a work opportunity such as this generally requires at least 2 years of experience in fieldwork or relevant education to get this piano technician job.

Additionally, this is not a mentorship type program. However, reasonable time is given for technicians/tuners to develop specific skills over the course of each year, which is both expected and granted.

Interested? Send me a message and ask me anything! I'll help you get in touch with the right people at Faust Harrison.

Want to see the Job Listing on Faust Harrison's website? (Must be U.S. citizen)


Technician Benefits of working at Faust Harrison Pianos

  • Collaborative training with the Head Technician of Technical Services

  • A Professional Service Coordinator builds your schedule

  • Work in a lively environment alongside other technicians

  • Work alongside rebuilders, refinishers, and action/keyboard overhaulers

  • Work on brand new pianos like Yamaha, Bösendorfer, Fazioli, Bechstein, Steinway, and Hoffmann.

  • Work on used pianos from reputable brands

  • Yearly training opportunities

  • Never work on a spinet again!

*For company "Benefits" provided by Faust Harrison Pianos see job listing. (Must be U.S. Citizen)


Piano Technician Responsibilites

Prospective technicians would work on a full-time basis of 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

During this time, technicians are expected to do many piano related tasks. Some of these tasks include:

  • Chip tunings, pitch raises, and fine tunings

  • Adhere to a schedule of piano service appointments, providing timely and reliable services to clients

  • Perform action regulation, voicing, and basic repairs for grand pianos and upright pianos

  • Piano LifeSaver/Dampp-Chaser installations

  • Perform thorough inspections and evaluations of pianos to assess their condition and recommend appropriate repairs and maintenance

  • Piano Player System repair, upgrades, and expertise

  • String replacements, part replacements, and taking measurements


Training and time is allotted to technicians who haven't yet learned specific skills.

How to become a Piano Tuner at FHP / Piano Technician Requirements

  • Proven experience as a Piano technician with a minimum of 2 years of relevant work in the industry.

  • Proficiency in piano tuning, piano repair, and maintenance techniques.

  • Strong attention to detail and a keen ear for sound quality and pitch.

  • The ability to thrive within a high volume, fast paced environment.

  • Effective time management skills and the ability to work independently.

  • Exceptional customer service and communication skills.

  • Willingness to travel to clients’ locations as needed: Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and New York City

  • Relevant certifications or training in piano technology is a plus.


Faust Harrison Piano's Team of Piano Technicians/Tuners

Accreditation:

The Piano Technicians/Tuners at Faust Harrison Pianos have graduated from accredited Piano Trade Schools such as The North Bennet Street School, The Piano Institute at Florida State University, and similarly prestigious institutions with years of experience and training specifically in Piano Technology.

What Education do Piano Tuners have at FHP?

Once a year and throughout the year, piano technicians receive continued training from either Fazioli, Bechstein, Bosendorfer, Yamaha, and The Piano Technicians Guild.

Piano Tuner Work Environment:

All technicians at Faust Harrison Pianos are full-time employees who are in constant communication with piano tuning colleagues and craftsmen who fully rebuild/restore Steinway & Sons acoustic pianos in their 12,000 square feet restoration facility.

Piano Tuners are scheduled to service the pianos of FHP clients who expect the best value from their instruments.

Experience with new piano brands:

C. Bechstein, Fazioli, W. Hoffmann, Bosendorfer, Yamaha, and Steinway & Sons pianos are the musical instruments that technician routinely prep at Faust Harrison Pianos.

Experience with used piano brands:

Estonia, Mason & Hamlin, Kawai, Charles Walter, Schulze Pollman, Schimmel, Schumann, Pearl River, Samick, Baldwin, Knabe, Kimball, Essex, Boston, and others.



My (Kevin's) Previous Work Experience

About 5 years ago I graduated from Berklee College of Music and interviewed with Faust Harrison Pianos to work in Piano Service as a Piano Technician/Tuner.

Since that interview, I've been fortunate to work alongside the team of technicians at Faust Harrison Pianos for the past 5 years and beyond.

The additional growth I've had working here has been invaluable and hardly replicated elsewhere.

View all of my prior 10+ years Piano Technician experience here.

Matthew Banks and Kevin Busse

In brief, that's the experience that helped me earn the job at Faust Harrison Pianos, where I continue to learn and grow by the day!

While I have quite a lot of real-world Piano experience, I started out by attending Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) meetings, earning an apprenticeship, and passing my Registered Piano Technician (RPT) exams. This includes the tuning exam, repairs, and written exam.


Read: How to pass the RPT exams in less than 1 year


While the RPT exam is not sufficient to effectively measure an excellent job or a skilled technician, it's an educational tool to "get your foot in the door" and network with many other technicians.

After completion, I then worked 2 years at Family Piano Co. in Waukegan, Illinois. I tuned, regulated, and repaired pianos everyday.

I went back to Boston, MA to finish my Bachelor of Music at Berklee College of Music and trained & worked on the pianos at the College Campus.

Upon Graduation, I joined the team at Faust Harrison Pianos. Join us now! Contact Kevin

(Must be U.S. Citizen)


Related:

Faust Harrison Pianos Job Listing for Piano Technicians/Tuners

How to pass the RPT exams in less than 1 year

FREE PTG Convention Admissions: Scholarship Application