ALEXANDER F DICKSON
ABOUT ME
Since learning Piano as a child, I was fascinated with the complexity of the instrument and found it really interesting how the piano tuner worked his magic to make it sound better after a visit. Our tuner must have had his work cut out for him back then as we owned a really old straight strung/ over damper contraption that presented its own unique challenges just to make all the notes work! And that was before I actually got down to the business of learning how to play the thing!
Credit to my mum though as she made sure I sat down every day and did 30 minutes practise when I really wanted to be outside playing with my pals. It was a hard life…
When I left school in 1988, I enrolled in the Stringed Keyboard Instrument Technology course which was then based at Stevensons College, Edinburgh gaining an HND 3 years later before heading off into the sunset as a young and ambitious Piano Tuner / Technician.
I joined Lothian Regional Council’s Piano Workshop (Technical Support Services) shortly after where a small team of 5 highly skilled piano tuners / technicians maintained the Education Department’s large and varied inventory of pianofortes including a small number of harpsichords and clavichords throughout the City of Edinburgh, East, Mid and West Lothian. Most of these tuners / technicians had learned their craft via the old 7-year apprenticeship route which included one with international piano factory experience. To say I was extremely fortunate joining this team as its number 6 was an understatement!
Over the next decade, I continued to develop my skills under the watchful eye of these craftsmen. I learned how to rebuild all types of piano including intricate sound board, bridge and even the odd wrest plank repair! Action reconditioning and restringing were routine workshop activities for me back then but equally I honed my piano tuning skills across a variety of settings from the family home to the concert stage.
With a keen eye for detail and high standards and after working full time within the piano industry for the required qualifying period, by 1995/6, I was eligible to apply to join the Pianoforte Tuners Association (PTA) as a Full Member which is the professional body for piano tuners in the United Kingdom.
Thankfully, I passed the entrance examination reaching the required standard and became a Full PTA Member. However, life is never straight forward and as a keen community volunteer, I had decided to join the Special Constabulary around 1997. I had really enjoyed doing this, therefore decided in 1999 to leave the full time Piano trade and join the Police Service embarking on a long and rewarding Police career in both London and Edinburgh before retiring recently at the rank of Police Inspector.
The good news, however, was that throughout my Police career, I had sought permission to continue carrying out piano tunings and repairs occasionally in my spare time across the country with a focus on keeping my skill set fresh and active which allowed me to seamlessly pick up where I left off when I did eventually retire from the Police in July 2024.
It really does feel as though I have never been away, however, I made it a priority to seek permission to rejoin the Pianoforte Tuners Association (Number 1585) which thankfully I was able to do.
It’s lovely to be back.
Alexander F Dickson.
Let’s Keep Your Piano in Fine Tune
Whether you have questions about tuning, repairs, or want to schedule a service, I’m here to help. Fill out the contact form, or call me on the number below and I’ll get back to you promptly!
Phone: 07766 547364
© AFD Piano Tuner & Technician.