Q & A Roundtable 圓桌會議問與答 - 台灣產業現況

Q & A Roundtable - Going Abroad

國際會員篇：台灣產業現況

How would you describe your workload, including types of pianos, clientele, and geographical location?

你/妳會如何描述平常的工作量呢？包含鋼琴種類，客戶與地理位置等？

As an independent piano technician,I’d say 70% of my time is spent on business development and the remaining 30% is spent on tuning, regulation and repairs. Since the market in Taiwan is limited, most of my time is spent on building my client base. My clientele includes recording studios, musicians, nonprofits, and private clients. Ninety percent of the pianos in Taiwan are Yamaha and Kawai uprights and grands, and we hardly see any consoles or spinets. The geographical distance I cover is basically 60 miles. Sometimes I have to go further, but I don’t mind because of trusts, passion and road trips.

身為一位獨立技師，我會說大概有七成的時間都在市場開發，其餘的三成則是在調音、調整和維修。由於台灣的市場有限，所以大部分的時間都花在建立客戶上。目前的客戶包含錄音室、音樂家、非營利組織與私人客戶。台灣九成的鋼琴大都是山葉或河合的直立與平台琴，而更小台的低矮、低縮式鋼琴在這裡很少見。平常的服務範圍大概是60英里(96公里)，有時候要跑更遠，但我一點不在意，因為信任、熱情和公路旅行。

What are some common repairs that you face due to the climate where you live?

在你/妳住的地方與氣候的影響下，有哪些是常見的維修呢？

My main repairs are replacing rusted metal parts such as strings and center pins. I also replace a lot of bushings and flange spring cords. From winter to summer, the relative humidity ranges between 72% and 92% because of tropical weather. With weather extremes including monsoons and typhoons, tuning stability is a big problem. Every time the windows are opened — Oops… We use a lot of dehumidifiers. In the U.S., a lot of pianos need to have humidifiers. In contrast, Taiwan is just too humid. I also have to use a lot of insecticide as I am commonly greeted by geckos, cockroaches and termites in the keybed.

最常見的維修是換掉鏽蝕的琴弦和中心釘等金屬零件，另外也更換了許多的布氈襯與彈簧棉線。由於台灣位處熱帶氣候，冬天到夏天的平均濕度大都在72％到92％中間，而季風和颱風的定期到訪也讓調音後能不能穩定變成了一個大問題。每次只要客戶一打開窗戶...ㄜ... 所以在這裡的鋼琴大都安裝除濕器。 在美國，很多鋼琴需要有加濕器。相反的，台灣太潮濕了。我也需要放置很多蟲藥，因為常常打開鋼琴時總會被鍵盤床內的壁虎、蟑螂還有白蟻們熱情的迎接。

How has PTG been an asset to you?

PTG美國鋼琴技師協會對你來說是怎樣的資產呢？

I’d say knowledge, friendships and the faith that have been carried for such a long time. 

By attending regional and national conferences, I have gathered different instructors’ lifelong hands-on experiences that have helped develop my understanding of this craft. With many experienced technicians and vendors, the convention truly offers a good atmosphere for members to discuss topics and get to know each other. It forms a strong bond between enthusiasts like us, regardless your background. I enjoy hearing the different perspectives from technicians whose experiences have been shaped by language, climate and culture. I also enjoy everyone’s sense of humor and life stories. PTG acts as an invisible support that gives my life a deeper meaning and fulfillment by modeling a spirit to boldly make mistakes, learn and enjoy the process of making myself and piano technology better. In Asia, it is really hard for technicians to be immersed in this craft, so I am really grateful for everything I have learned through PTG.

我會說它一直以來都是乘載知識、友情和信仰的存在。

透過參加區域與年度大會，自己得以獲得不同技師一輩子的實作經驗，這幫助了我在這項工藝上的理解。大會中有許多老經驗的技師與廠商，這個環境真實的給予會員們一個好的氣氛來討論不同主題和互相認識。這對身為愛好者的我們來說能產生很強的連結，不論你/妳背景為何。我享受聽到技師們自身經驗被語言、氣候和文化形朔出的不同觀點，也很享受每個人的幽默感與人生故事。美國鋼琴技師協會就像是一個隱形的支持，透過鼓勵大膽的犯錯、學習和享受讓自己與鋼琴科技領域更好的過程，給了我的人生一個更深層的意義與自我實現。在亞洲，技師們真的很難能好好沈浸在這門工藝裡，因此我真的非常感謝透過美國鋼琴技師協會所學到的一切東西。

Note 後記 -

I'm truly thankful for the chance to share a little of my life with the PTG (Piano Technician Guild) Magazine Oct. 2018.

感謝與感激美國鋼琴技師協會與採訪部的信任，讓自己的文字能在2018年10月份的月刊上跟大家分享！

It’s always a lot of fun and very exciting sharing personal views and life experiences, not just of myself but also of the Taiwan piano tech industry. The focus mainly covered industrial differences and daily working challenges among international piano technicians. While recalling personal experiences, I remembered every opportunity, friend, and amount of trust that’s been given in my life. Somehow, I feel extra warmth in my heart this winter.

能為自己也為台灣產業跟世界發聲是一件很好玩也很感激的事。今年初，我接到了來自美國鋼琴技師協會 (Piano Technician Guild)的文章邀請，主題是討論不同國家技師們的工作型態與自己面對客戶的日常生活。在回想自身經驗時，想起一路上遇到的機會，音樂夥伴與所給予的點點信任，心裡的暖流讓我在這個冬天異常感動。