September 2026 PTG Member E-news

September 2026

Greetings to Our New Members

If you're reading a PTG member e-newsletter for the first time, welcome! You’re probably one of the 290 new members that have joined the Piano Technicians Guild since January 1. All those new faces mean new opportunities for introductions, education and sharing, which is why PTG exists. If any of you have questions or needs, please get in touch with your chapter president, Regional Vice President, or the PTG Office. We’re here to help.

Channel 88 Returns

September 30 Class | 8 p.m. EST | Action Geometry Demystified | Jason Cassell, RPT

Action Geometry can often feel nebulous and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be this way. The secret is knowing what questions to ask, and how to answer them. Come learn the 4 Fundamental Questions you need to answer when selecting new action parts for your next action rebuild.

Jason Cassel currently serves as a Piano Technician for the Brigham Young University School of Music. He graduated with his MA in Piano Technology from Florida State University and earned his BM in Commercial Music from BYU. Jason has served as a Senior Piano Technician for the Aspen Music Festival and has received manufacturer training from Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Mason & Hamlin, and Renner USA.

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4MwDymWtS3GFCRY7iVm11g#/registration

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Channel 88 Archives Available for Viewing

Recordings of previous presentations may now be viewed on the Education Hub.

Using Coincidental Partial - By Maggie Jusiel

The Tuner's Hand - By Dan Levitan

The Piano in Slo-Mo - By Scott Murphy and Fred Sturm

https://my.ptg.org/ptgeducation/discover-more/channel-88

A change is coming

In case you missed it, the PTG Technical Exam has been revised.

THE FOLLOWING CHANGES WILL TAKE PLACE STARTING AUGUST 4, 2027 in ANAHEIM.

All changes are effective 8-4-2027, the start of the Annual Convention in Anaheim.
Nothing has been removed, so the full exam will be roughly 25 minutes longer, about 4.5 hrs. total.
Grand Regulation will now be a 3-note model with damper pedal & Sostenuto pedal.
Grand Regulation will now be 75 minutes – 1 hr. 15 min.
Grand Regulation will now be 25 points, so each point weighted at 4 points to equal 100. Passing score will be 80% or better.

Vertical 3-note Regulation – no changes on examinee side, still 65 minutes, still 20 points, weighted at 5 points each to equal 100. Passing score is 80% or better.

Repairs – only change on examinee side is splice timing will be increased from 6 minutes to 8 minutes, still roughly 90 min. total time for 8 repairs. Passing is 80% or better.

New Exam Portal on the Education Hub – reviews everything you need to know about all the current RPT Exams as well as the upcoming new exams.

Three note action models are available through the PTG store.

Exam Opportunities

PTG in partnership with the PTG Midwest Regional Conference will be offering exams October 3-4 in St. Louis as part of the MRCO conference.

All 3 exams (written, technical and tuning) will be offered. Spots are limited.

It’s a great opportunity to begin or complete you RPT exam journey

For more information and details on how to register please visit

https://midwestptg.com/rpt-exams/

What's in the September 2026 Journal?

Grand Voicing Before Needling
Mentorship Without Martyrdom: A Proposed Model for PTG Chapters
TT&T

The Piano Technicians Journal is always available 24-7 online. Read the September 2026 issue.

Two big classes coming to the PTG Home Office in October

Grand Action Regulation in 37 Steps

October 15-17, 2026

An intensive three-day skills-based course, Grand Action Regulation in 37 Steps will help you polish your skills in grand regulation and ensure that your clients' grand pianos are performing at full potential. Based on curriculum from Yamaha's "The Little Red Schoolhouse," participants will benefit from personal pianos, small group instruction and individual feedback. Visit my.ptg.org/37steps for more information.

Vertical Action Regulation in 32 Steps

October 22-24, 2026

An intensive three-day skills-based course that will help you polish your skills in vertical regulation and ensure that your clients' vertical pianos are performing at full potential. Based on PTG's "Vertical Regulation Curriculum," participants will benefit from working on real pianos, small group instruction and individual feedback.

Open to PTG members and non-members -10 spots available

Visit https://my.ptg.org/32steps/home or call (913) 432-9975 to register.

Attend NAMM 2027

NAMM and the PTG have again partnered to offer members a free registration to the January 28-30, 2027 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. Here’s how it works:

You must be a PTG member.
You MUST send an e-mail to shawn@ptg.org with your complete name and e-mail address by December 15, 2026. Please include NAMM NAME BADGE REQUEST in the subject line.
When registration opens, that e-mail address will be shared with NAMM. You will receive an e-mail from NAMM with further instructions on how to complete the registration process. Once complete, you will receive confirmation from NAMM that your badge awaits you.

If you make it to the show, please make sure and say hello at the PTG booth.

More information about the NAMM show is available at www.namm.org/thenammshow/attend.

Upcoming Educational Events Around the Guild

2026 Midwest Regional Conference

When: October 3-5

Where: Washington University, St Louis, Missouri

https://midwestptg.com

RPT Exams, in conjunction with MRCO and PTG Home Office will be available. Click here for more details.

2027 South Central Regional Conference

When: March 3-6

Where: Grapevine, Texas

https://scrcptg.org

2027 Southeast Regional Seminar

When: April 7-10

Where: Knoxville, Tennessee

www.sercptg.org

2026 Key Deadlines and Dates

September 20, 2026 | Class Proposals due for August 4–7, 2027, at the Hyatt Orange County in Anaheim, California | www.ptgconvention.com/classsubmissions
November 2, 2026 | 2026 dues invoices go out via email and posted in Member Portals at www.ptg.org.