There's no such thing as a bad technical. Some are better than others, but there is usually something you can use somewhere down the line. When I first joined the Guild twenty something years ago, I went to my first few technicals at the Manhattan chapter. There were different personalities, some nice, others snooty. After hearing my first very detailed technical, I was intimidated. In a while, after meeting the members, asking questions, making friends, and making progress in my profession, I learned to get what you can from the meetings. I also learned that you don't have to do everything exactly the way they say it. People have their own techniques.

Michael Slavin gave an excellent technical last month on hammer hanging. I use 90% of his techniques, but do my own modifications to fit my style. If you missed his technical, you missed a really good one. There are other reasons why the meetings are good; meeting and talking with other technicians, members, making new friends and maybe picking up some extra business.

Let's all try to start making the meetings next year.

The May meeting of the Nassau PTG was held at the church in Baldwin. The meeting was called to order by president Paul Eccardt at 8:05 p.m. 10 regular members and 2 guests attended. The guests were Arlene Goffreddi and Charles Neuman. The previous minutes were accepted as amended. The treasurer's report as given by Paul Keogler was accepted.

A motion was made by Mike Slavin and seconded by Maryann Maccone to have the chapter vote on accepting Mr.Charles Neuman as an associate member. The vote was in favor; Mr. Neuman was accepted.

New Business: The chapter voted to send Alan Shumacker as a delegate to the convention in Reno this summer. Ernie Juhn was voted as an alternate delegate. The business meeting ended a 8:35 PM.

Technical: Our technical was called "Invitation to a Hanging" It was presented by Mike Slavin. Mike's system enables him to hang a set of hammers in much less time than one usually takes. Mike does spacing of hammer shanks and hammer travel outside the piano, so that he has less to do in the client's home. He makes a pattern of the spacing and alignment on removable tape, which he then uses as a template for the new hammers. We thank Mike for an interesting, thoughtful and informative presentation. The meeting ended at 9:45 PM.