Private Clarinet Lessons

How It Works

Clarinet lessons will give you the opportunity to study one of the most expressive instruments in the woodwind family. The modern clarinet was invented by Johann Christoph Denner near the turn of the 18th Century, although it took several decades for the instrument to be incorporated into orchestras. The word clarinet comes from the Italian “clarinetto,” meaning “little trumpet.” Mozart greatly enjoyed the clarinet and felt it was the instrument that most closely resembled the human voice. Through the Classical Era, the clarinet came to be included as a standard component of wind ensembles, making clarinet lessons a more popular activity. Like many other brass and woodwind instruments, the clarinet was given a new life with the emergence of jazz, most famously through bandleader and clarinetist Benny Goodman. While rare in rock music, the clarinet can be heard in the folk music of Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Moravia, and in Klezmer music, the traditional music of Jewish communities in Eastern Europe.

When to Start Clarinet Lessons:

Our recommended starting age for clarinet is around seven. It has many keys, so the most significant factor to keep in mind is whether or not the student’s hands are large enough to facilitate playing. As a wind instrument, it is also important that the student has the developed lung capacity to play. The clarinet is also a great choice for musicians already familiar with other wind instruments.

Obtaining a Clarinet:

Student clarinets are relatively inexpensive, mostly made of plastic and wood, and available through many music shops or instrument catalogs. Some music shops can also provide rentals. For the budget-conscious customer, used clarinets are also an option. Professional clarinets are usually made of rosewood, which can be very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. Our clarinet instructors can also help with the selection of an instrument and all the accessories and practices required to keep it in great condition.

Some popular clarinet lesson metros: