Theory & Practice
5-day
During the five-day course, the theory is covered and all applicable techniques are practiced. Each individual action is analyzed following a geometry check, a PTD is designed, and work is done on it. By the end of the week, a new transmission ratio is applied (if necessary), and all sample keys are equipped with calibrated hammer weight and calibrated key lead weights. The action should be completed in your own workshop after the course.
Course Theory
3-day
During the three-day course, the theory of Precision Touch Design (PTD) is covered in depth, and all necessary techniques are demonstrated. Participants also learn how to perform a geometry check on their own.
The trainers guide participants through the entire process – from analysis and design to PTDesign installation – using an example action model. By the end of the course, participants have the knowledge needed to install a PTD, although they have not yet practiced the techniques themselves.
Follow-up course practice
3-day
During the three-day follow-up course, the focus is on the practical application of Precision Touch Design (PTD), with all necessary techniques thoroughly practiced. Following a geometry check, participants analyze their own action, design a PTD, and begin its implementation.
After three days, a new transmission ratio is applied (if necessary), and all sample keys are equipped with calibrated hammer weight and precisely balanced keys. The final adjustments to the action should be completed in your own workshop after the course.
Course location
All courses are held in Germany at the Jahn company in Grub am Forst. The PTD Academy Europe has a fully equipped training room there. It is centrally located in Europe, and Jahn is a proven favorite destination among many piano technicians.
Five-day course “Theory and Practice”
During the five-day course the theory is discussed and and all the techniques to be used are trained. All students bring along a grand piano action to the course. Each action is to be analysed, a PTD is to be designed and worked on. At the end of the week a new transmission ratio has been applied (if necessary) and all test keys have been provided with calibrated hammer weight and a calibrated leadweighting of the keys. The action is to be finished in one's own workshop.
This course is the 'classic' training to become a PTD-Installer. Especially in America and in the Netherlands already a great many colleagues have followed this route. The success of this format is the combination of learning, training and productive working.
Participants who join the PTDAE may call themselves PTD-Technician. A PTD-Technician can become a PTD-Installer by installing at least 2 PTD's and have one of them assessed by the PTDAE.
A new date will be scheduled with enough applications.
- Participants: 5 Minimum
- Costs: € 2.250,= p.p. Including lunches and a PTDesign for the action brought along.
- A workbook.
- Temporary access to in-the-cloud PTD software for analysis and design
- Location: Grub am Forst, Jahn Pianoparts (Germany)
- Other locations in Europe may be possible in agreement. For Example Oude Tonge, Pietjouw Piano Atelier (Netherlands).
Three-day course “Theory”
During the three-day course the theory of Precision Touch Design is treated and all the techniques to be used are shown. The trainers show the whole process of analysis, designs and installation of a PTDesign by means of an action.
For an analysis we recommend to bring a grand piano action to the course, if possible.
After this course students have the stock-in-trade to install a PTD, but have not learned to put the techniques into practice.
Participants who join the PTDAE may call themselves PTD-Technician.
A PTD-Technician can become a PTD-Installer by installing at least 2 PTD's and have one of them assessed by the PTDAE. Participation: This course is designed for the experienced Piano Technician. Knowledge and experience of regulating and voicing grand piano actions is required.
A new date will be scheduled with enough applications.
- Participants: 6 Minimum
- Costs: € 1.260,= p.p. Including lunch and a workbook.
- Location: Grub am Forst, Jahn Pianoparts (Germany)
- Other locations in Europe may be possible in agreement. For Example Oude Tonge, Pietjouw Piano Atelier (Netherlands).
Three-day follow-up course “Practice”
During the three-day follow-up course the practice of Precision Touch Design is treated and all the techniques to be used are practised. All students bring along a grand piano action to the course. Each action is to be analysed, a PTD is to be designed and worked on. After three days a new transmission ratio has been applied (if necessary) and all test keys have been provided with calibrated hammer weight and a calibrated leadweighting of the keys. The action is to be finished in one's own workshop.
Participants who join the PTDAE may call themselves PTD-Installer.
Participation: one can only register for this course when having done the three-day Theory course.
A new date will be scheduled with enough applications.
- Participants: 6 Minimum
- Costs: € 1.260,= p.p. Including lunches and a PTDesign for the action brought along.
- A workbook.
- Temporary access to in-the-cloud PTD software for analysis and design.
- Location: Grub am Forst, Jahn Pianoparts (Germany)
- Other locations in Europe may be possible in agreement. For Example Oude Tonge, Pietjouw Piano Atelier (Netherlands).
Additional costs:
These costs are optional; you can make your own choice. Materials and tools:
- PTD Toolkit: Jahn Pianoteile
- Set of weights: Jahn Pianoteile
- Scale: Jahn Pianoteile
- Hammer weights (tungsten): Jahn Pianoteile
- Wood epoxy: Jahn Pianoteile
- Keyboard lead: Jahn Pianoteile
A Purchase is optional; for the courses everything is available!
Costs of accommodation shall be borne by the participant.
Special arrangements:
The possibility of organizing courses at other locations in Europe applies to all courses. Prices on request and in agreement!
Preparation:
In preparation for the courses we recommend examining the following articles beforehand at home:
http://www.stanwoodpiano.com/articles.htm
About courses and trainers:
The courses offered by PTDAE are based on the foundational principles of Precision Touch Design, developed by David Stanwood in the 1990s. Over the past ten years, we have significantly enhanced and deepened the course content, now dedicating time to the geometry and specific application of PTD for pianos. Although David Stanwood is now retired, we are proud to be able to pass on his valuable knowledge to our fellow piano technicians in the coming years.
Our trainers, Frans Pietjouw and Wim Feldhaus, are both certified piano technicians with over 40 years of experience as tuners and workshop specialists. In their quest for better results when working on grand piano actions, especially when replacing hammer heads, Frans and Wim encountered David Stanwood in the early 2000s. They learned PTD techniques from him and traveled to the United States multiple times to deepen their knowledge with the inventor himself.
The enthusiasm for Precision Touch Design is fueled primarily by feedback from clients and pianists who are often surprised by how enjoyable and resonant their grand pianos feel and sound. This, ultimately, is what our work is all about!
We look forward to joining forces over the next few years to make this transition together, so that the use of the PTD method becomes second nature in our field. Let’s work together toward a future where this logical approach is widely embraced and applied, enabling us to elevate the quality of our craft to an even higher level.
All prices mentioned are exclusive of VAT! Prices changed July 2023