A: The scheme was conceived when it was discovered that, whilsy there are many good teachers out there, there were also people who claimed to be harmonica teachers who did not themselves know the fundamentals of the instrument, or were good players with little knowledge of how to teach. 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.

More information on what HTAB is doing is on the next page