You can print and use the HTAB application <>form to register your interest once the process is in operation again. Please note that we are not accepting applications or money.

Q:Why have an accreditation scheme at all?

A: The scheme was conceived when it was discovered that there were people who claimed to be harmonica teachers who did not themselves know the fundamentals of the instrument. The people and bodies most concerned did not feel that it was in the best interests of the harmonica for this situation to continue.

Q: But nobody can stop people setting up as harmonica teachers, can they?

A: No, but we hope that by introducing an accreditation scheme, we will encourage all teachers, accredited and otherwise to learn more about the instrument, so that they will be better able to teach it. The very existence of the scheme should encourage teachers to gain accreditation. At present, a list of all known teachers is given to anyone seeking tuition. Under the accreditation scheme, only accredited teachers will be on the published list.

Q: That's alright for people living in the main centres of population, but what about places where there are no accredited teachers? A: If we know of a non-accredited teacher, then we will put the student in touch with him/her, if there is no accredited teacher in their area. We will, however, point out that the teacher is not accredited.

Q: O.K., so how does it work?

A: A teacher who wishes to receive accreditation should apply for the appropriate questionnaire, using the application form if desired.

The questionnaires are not designed to catch anybody out - they contain no trick questions. They are simply there to enable us to assess the standard of playing that the applicant's knowledge of music and the harmonica will allow him/her to teach.

At present, the scheme only covers a basic level, since this is the area in which the majority of teachers and players seem to work. As time goes by, intermediate and advanced levels will be added, as well as differing styles of music and playing.

Subject to the submission of a satisfactory set of answers, the newly accredited teacher will be placed on the published list. In addition, he/she will receive a handsome personalised certificate of accreditation, suitable for framing, and will be entitled to claim discounts off all list price items ordered from Norman's Harmonica Centre.

Accredited teachers will also be kept in touch with information relating to teaching by means of regular meetings and workshops, in which it will be possible to learn from the experiences of others who are working in the same areas. These meetings will also provide a forum in which the people it concerns most, the teachers, will be able to discuss and influence the future development of the scheme.

Q: That all seems pretty simple, but hang on - this is going to cost me money, right?

A: Unfortunately, administration costs don't pay themselves, so a fee of £10.00 (UK pounds) for each level of accreditation for each instrument group is charged, payable at the time of application - but you'll get that back in no time, either from new students, or by using your accredited teacher's discount facility. (In the event of a re-test being necessary a further £5.00 fee will be payable). To keep your accreditation in force, an annual contribution to costs of £5.00 is payable on 1st September each year.