Free Introductory Lesson
Clarinet Lessons in Colorado Springs
The clarinet is one of the most versatile instruments you can learn. It plays warm, low notes and bright, singing high ones, and you’ll hear it in concert bands, orchestras, jazz combos, and film scores. At Rocky Mountain Academy of Music, we offer private clarinet lessons for students of all ages and skill levels at our studio on North Academy Blvd. Your first lesson is free, so you can meet your teacher and see how lessons work before you commit.
Who Clarinet Lessons Are For
- Kids and teens in school band who want to keep up, move up a chair, or prepare for auditions and honor band
- Beginners picking up their first woodwind instrument
- Saxophone players adding clarinet for jazz band or pit orchestra
- Adults starting fresh, or coming back to an instrument they played in school
What You’ll Learn
Lessons are built around your goals and the music you want to play. Most students work on:
- Embouchure and tone. A good mouth position and steady air give you a clear, full sound instead of squeaks.
- Breath control and posture, the foundation of everything else
- Finger technique. We cover smooth, efficient fingerings, including crossing “the break” between the low and high registers, which is the hurdle most new clarinetists struggle with.
- Reading music, rhythm, scales, and articulation
- Reeds. You’ll learn how to choose reed strengths and care for your reeds.
- Music theory, so you understand how keys, scales, and chords fit together
Weekly lessons keep you progressing steadily, and a teacher can catch posture, finger, and breathing habits early, before they become hard to unlearn.
“Our son is taking saxophone lessons and enjoys them. More than that, he’s learning great fundamental skills of a new instrument for him.”
About the Clarinet
The clarinet grew out of an older instrument called the chalumeau around 1700, in Germany. Mozart was one of its first great champions; his Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet Quintet are still some of the most-loved pieces in the repertoire. Weber and Brahms wrote famous works for it too. In the early 1900s, the clarinet became a star of New Orleans jazz and the swing era, thanks to players like Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. Today, most players use the Boehm-system clarinet, whose key layout was developed in the 1840s.
You’ll hear the clarinet everywhere from symphony orchestras and concert bands to film soundtracks, klezmer, and pop recordings. Think of the famous opening glissando of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
More Ways to Grow
Our students can perform in student recitals to build confidence in a friendly setting, and clarinetists interested in jazz can join one of our jazz ensembles to learn standards and improvisation alongside other musicians. We also teach saxophone and flute, which makes it easy to add a second woodwind, and many students take piano lessons to strengthen their music theory.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are lessons?
Choose 30, 45, or 60-minute private lessons. There’s no long-term contract, and your first lesson is free.
What age can my child start clarinet lessons?
Most students start around age 9 to 11, often when they join school band. Their hands need to be large enough to cover the tone holes. Adults are welcome at any age.
Do I need my own clarinet?
Yes, you’ll need an instrument to practice at home. Many families rent one through their school or a local music store, and you’ll also need a supply of reeds. Ask us at your free lesson if you’d like recommendations.
Why does my clarinet squeak?
Squeaks usually come from fingers not fully covering the holes, a damaged or too-soft reed, or embouchure issues. A teacher can usually spot the cause right away.
Is it hard to switch between clarinet and saxophone?
The fingerings are similar, so many players double on both. The embouchure and air are different, though, and a teacher can help you switch back and forth comfortably.
Schedule Your Free Clarinet Lesson
Ready to get started? Call us at 719-722-0248 or send us a message to book your free introductory clarinet lesson.
Rocky Mountain Academy of Music · 5426 North Academy Blvd, Ste 101 · Colorado Springs, CO 80918