Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this episode of the Howard Piano Podcast, Benji interviews Mario Igrec, a renowned piano technician and author of 'Pianos Inside Out.' They discuss Mario's journey from a young pianist in Croatia to becoming the Chief Piano Technician at The Juilliard School. Mario shares insights on the importance of persistence, the value of hands-on experience, and the need for a supportive community among piano technicians. He emphasizes the significance of understanding both the musical and technical aspects of pianos and offers advice for aspiring technicians. The conversation also touches on future projects, including an ebook version of his book and a guide for piano owners.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mario Igrec and His Journey
11:18 The Transition from Musician to Technician
12:40 The Influence of Experience and Mentorship
21:48 The Fulfillment in Piano Rebuilding and Software Development
29:27 The Soul of the Piano
31:35 Advice for Aspiring Piano Technicians
37:30 Finding Your Niche in Piano Technology
41:38 The Importance of Competition and Collaboration
43:03 Selling Your Services as a Solution Provider
48:19 Networking and Customer Appreciation
52:12 Future Innovations in Piano Technology
54:21 Future Projects and Aspirations
57:59 Innovative Tools for Piano Analysis
59:08 The Importance of Piano Care and Education
01:01:46 Challenges in Digital Publishing
01:03:40 Community Engagement and Knowledge Sharing
01:06:42 The Role of Technicians in Piano Care
01:08:31 Encouraging DIY Piano Maintenance
01:11:30 Building an Inclusive Piano Community
01:18:12 Outro
In this episode of the Howard Piano Podcast, Benji interviews Mario Igrec, a renowned piano technician and author of 'Pianos Inside Out.' They discuss Mario's journey from a young pianist in Croatia to becoming the Chief Piano Technician at The Juilliard School. Mario shares insights on the importance of persistence, the value of hands-on experience, and the need for a supportive community among piano technicians. He emphasizes the significance of understanding both the musical and technical aspects of pianos and offers advice for aspiring technicians. The conversation also touches on future projects, including an ebook version of his book and a guide for piano owners.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mario Igrec and His Journey
11:18 The Transition from Musician to Technician
12:40 The Influence of Experience and Mentorship
21:48 The Fulfillment in Piano Rebuilding and Software Development
29:27 The Soul of the Piano
31:35 Advice for Aspiring Piano Technicians
37:30 Finding Your Niche in Piano Technology
41:38 The Importance of Competition and Collaboration
43:03 Selling Your Services as a Solution Provider
48:19 Networking and Customer Appreciation
52:12 Future Innovations in Piano Technology
54:21 Future Projects and Aspirations
57:59 Innovative Tools for Piano Analysis
59:08 The Importance of Piano Care and Education
01:01:46 Challenges in Digital Publishing
01:03:40 Community Engagement and Knowledge Sharing
01:06:42 The Role of Technicians in Piano Care
01:08:31 Encouraging DIY Piano Maintenance
01:11:30 Building an Inclusive Piano Community
01:18:12 Outro
