Continued Training with Colleagues…

Written By Christine Guthrie, RPT

The St. Louis area has a group of piano technicians that meet every month to socialize, discuss business, take apart pianos, but also learn from each other. Every month one of our members or another instructor present a technical to share new ideas and tricks they have discovered while doing this job. No matter your age or skill level, everyone is encouraged to share!

Here are just a few of the technicals we have seen in the past few years:

-Group discussion- the miracle tool that has saved your life

-Group discussion- show us a tool you have made

-Massage therapist or chiropractor visit

-Comparing etd’s (electronic tuning devices)

-Loose pin options. How to pound it in a little on a grand or an upright. Using Glues? Pros, cons.

-Action pin replacement. Or just put protek on it and cross my fingers?

-Advanced options on CyberTuner. It has all kinds of bells and whistles I’m not sure how to use.

-Bass strings sound funky, loosen, twist the loop a time or two? Does it really work? How to tell it needs it. Cleaning old grimy bass strings.

-Pitch raise. Is it smarter to do pitch raise and immediately tune it? Or PR, wait a few weeks and come back to tune?

-What to do when hammer only hitting two strings. Pull action, move hammer.

When strings are too close to use Papp’s mute. Should I space them out? Loosen a bit and then space or just space them while tight.

-How to properly adjust pedals


-Cleaning brass pedals, does anybody do that. I include cleaning piano inside and out as part of my tuning.

Christine Guthrie, RPT

“Three of my favorite things in regards to piano work : the music, learning how things work, and restoring old and neglected things to their former glory.”

— Christine

Piano Technician and Chamber Vocalist

Christine grew up in Ellisville where she began playing piano at the age of seven years old. She developed her musicianship studying piano from several well-respected piano instructors in the Saint Louis area. Christine studied at the University of Missouri Kansas City where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Vocal Performance. She went on to earn her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Webster University. She is currently performing as a 2nd Soprano with the Saint Louis Chamber Chorus under the direction of Philip Barnes. Christine’s music career has allowed her to perform in over a dozen countries in North America and Europe including several performances at Carnegie Hall. As an accomplished musician, Christine knows that a well-cared for piano is a powerful tool for musicians at all levels. Her passion for helping each piano along to its fullest potential brought her study to the piano technology. She brought seven years of experience in the field working as a local piano technician before joining the team at Vanguard Piano Service in 2023. Christine completed the Piano Technician Guild’s certification exams, earning the designation of Registered Piano Technician (RPT) in 2024.

Continued Education

Christine has been active with the local Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) for several years growing her piano knowledge and helping organize trainings and meetings for other professional technicians in the Saint Louis area for the organization. She attends National and Regional Training Conventions and actively engages other industry professionals through educational and social media forums. Christine will continue to elevate her service working alongside the team at Vanguard Piano Service.

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