Manuel Merler Harmonicademy

Manuel Merler Harmonicademy provides non-degree instrumental music education focused entirely on the Steirische Harmonika, also known as the Styrian harmonica or Ziehharmonika. The curriculum serves youth ages 13 and older as well as adult learners, welcoming absolute beginners without prior musical knowledge up through advanced players. Instruction is primarily delivered as self-paced online distance learning, utilizing structured video lessons, downloadable study guides, and digital notation. While the platform operates mainly online, Manuel Merler also provides personal on-site music instruction for students seeking local face-to-face lessons. The core offering is the beginner video course, titled Anfänger Videokurs, which comprises 21 lessons delivering more than 20 instructional hours. Students learn fundamental playing techniques, starting with basic handling and progressing to playing well-known entertainment songs. The instructional method uses a five-finger system, the Slovenian bass system, and standard four-row instruments in either B-Es-As-Des or G-C-F-B tunings. Teaching relies on Griffschrift tablature rather than traditional musical notation, which displays the exact buttons to press. Each lesson integrates digital video tutorials with an interactive loop function, explanatory documents, and an included Ziachschule PDF study booklet. Beyond the self-contained beginner course, the school offers flexible access paths through a monthly subscription model and individual song tutorials. The monthly subscription, known as the Abo-Modell, grants unrestricted access to the complete beginner course as well as an expanding repertoire of pieces, traditional hits, and new song releases in both tunings. Students who do not require a full course can also purchase standalone song tutorials, titled Einzellieder. These individual lessons feature video guidance, embedded Griffschrift tablature, and loop functions to facilitate focused, independent practice.