Who is Dan Berg & Berg Piano Services?

I grew up and was educated in Minnesota and Wisconson, USA. I am often asked the origin of the last name Berg. It is Norwegian. The family says the last name was originally Olson. When my great grandfather arrived on Ellis Island from Norway he was asked to change his name because of the abundance of Olsons (Olsens) arriving. Berg was chosen because he came from Bergen, Norway. I have never officially confirmed this information.

Berg Piano Services is mostly Dan Berg. It may also indirectly include other qualified people in the piano industry who are either consulted or hired. These would include other technicians, refinishers, movers, piano stores, piano manufacturers and piano supply wholesalers. All of these resources are used when needed to fill the needs of piano owners caring for their instrument(s)

What is the designation RPT?

A Registered Piano Technician (RPT) is a member of Piano Technicians Guild who has demonstrated competence by passing a series of three rigorous examinations on the maintenance, repair and tuning of pianos.

Show me RPT info

What are your qualifications?

History and work experience for Dan Berg:

• 1978-82 Four years of college (Minneapolis College of Art and Design, University of Wisconsin and Winona State University) majoring in music and art.
• 1978-90 worked as a performing musician, self-employed as a professional Photographer. Worked as a shop foreman making window frames for the One Brooklyn Bridge Park Condos building in N.Y.; formorly 360 Furman Street. Worked as a graphic designer for a sign company in Owatonna MN.
• 1991 attended piano technology course at the University of Wisconsin
• 1991 started Berg Piano Services and joined the Piano Technicians Guild attending training sessions and seminars.
• 1996 passed the Piano Technicians Guild three part test (written, tuning and technical) to become a Registered Piano Technician. Have current RPT status.
• 1991 to present; working as full time piano tuner/technician servicing pianos for piano stores in the Orlando, Florida area as well as work for private individuals, hotels, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, performing artists and other institutions.
• 1996 joined ASIA (Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans).
• Have done piano rebuilding and refinishing, violin repair, mandolin repair and guitar building/repair and wood flute construction.
• Have extensive experience installing player systems in pianos including QRS and PianoDisc as well as repairing and adjusting the Yamaha Disklavier player system. The above includes player mechanisms, recording setups, juke box systems and computer recording setup. Have installed over 275 player systems to date. See our Links page to visit the above companies web sites.

What is your service area?

Our service area includes the complete Orlando Florida metro area and surrounding communities. Some of the more distant surrounding communities are serviced but may require an extra charge for travel and time involved.

How long have you been tuning pianos?

I have been tuning pianos on a full-time basis since 1991 and tuning other instruments since 1974.

Do you tune organs?

No. Organs are a whole different machine and require other specialized skills that Berg Piano Services does not offer.

Do you repair electronic keyboards?

Although modern player pianos are definitely electronic and we repair those, we do no repair work for strictly electronic keyboards such as those made by Korg, Yamaha, Kurzweil, Roland and others.

Do you move pianos?

No. We do not move pianos. There are piano movers listed in the yellow pages under "Piano's" and "Piano movers".

Do you tune by ear or machine?

I learned to tune pianos by ear in 1991 and continue to tune by ear. To pass the Piano Technicians Guild tuning test one must be able to tune by ear. I also use a computer to tune as well. By combining aural and machine tuning, a very good sounding and stable tuning can be achieved. It could be compared to doing math on paper (or in your head) and using a calculator. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Combining the two is only an advantage.

How long have you been in the Orlando area?

We have been in the Orlando area since 1991.

Where did you go to school?

I went to school in Minnesota and Wisconsin. I attended High School in southeast Minnesota, attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design majoring in film, photograhy & graphics, University of Wisconsin majoring in music, and Winona State University majoring in woodworking & photography.

Do you work evenings or weekends?

Saturday afternoons are available for an appointment for some areas of Orlando. Evenings in Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood & Altamonte Springs are available on certain days.

Why did you choose to tune pianos?

A great love of music, being able to work with your hands. As well as the opportunity to meet all sorts of people seemed like a wonderful combination.