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So you are ready to learn to play the clarinet? Sick! It’s an epic experience that lets you create beautiful melodies and harmonious sounds. And some of the best beginner clarinet music pieces to up your game are easy to learn.
As a beginner, choosing music that challenges you without overwhelming you and helps you build your skills and confidence in the instrument is essential.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to a variety of beginner clarinet music that will keep you motivated and engaged as you progress!
From classical odes and traditional melodies to popular songs and beginner-friendly variations of works by great composers, there are easy clarinet songs for every budding clarinetist to enjoy and learn from.
So grab your clarinet and get ready to explore the rich world of clarinet music – the only limit is your own imagination and musical potential.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” is a well-known melody often used as a beginner piece for clarinetists.
It’s a short and simple tune that’s easy to play, making it an excellent choice for complete beginners or for those who are just starting to learn the clarinet.
In addition to being easy to play, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” is also a great song for practicing phrasing and tone on the clarinet.
Here’s the sheet music below.
This next song on our easy clarinet songs list was written in the early 1900s by an unknown composer and was typically sung as gospel.
The most famous recording was by Louis Armstrong, complete with an orchestra backing. “When the Saints Go Marching In” is an excellent song for beginning clarinetists to add to their repertoire, as it is easy to learn and allows for some fun improvisation.
When playing this song on the clarinet, pay attention to your phrasing and dynamics to add expression to your performance. Here’s the sheet music below.
One of the most popular nursery rhymes for kids, “Hot Cross Buns,” is a simple and catchy tune that’s perfect for beginner clarinetists.
The song’s repetitive structure makes it easy to learn, and the familiar melody makes it a hit with audiences of all ages.
When playing “Hot Cross Buns” on the clarinet, focus on getting a clear and consistent tone, and pay attention to your rhythm to keep the song moving along.
“Mary Had a Little Lamb” is a simple nursery rhyme often used as a beginner piece for clarinetists.
It is a short and easy tune that is perfect for those who are just starting to learn the clarinet.
In addition to being easy to play, “Mary Had a Little Lamb” is also an easy song for practicing tonguing techniques on the clarinet.
Here’s the sheet music below.
“Ode to Joy” is a more challenging melody by Ludwig van Beethoven that is often used as a beginner piece for clarinetists.
Not a clarinet concerto, but It is a longer melody that is good for practicing phrasing and dynamics on the clarinet.
This melody is also a great way to get a feel for classical music and learn more about the famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
Here’s the sheet music below.
“Happy Birthday” is next on our easy clarinet songs list! This well-known celebration melody is often played as a complete beginner piece for clarinetists.
It is a simple tune that is easy to play and is suitable for practicing phrasing and tone on the clarinet. You can easily play it with a piano accompaniment from Youtube.
The whole piece is also excellent for celebrating friends’ or family members’ birthdays and adding a musical touch to the occasion.
Here’s the sheet music below.
E-I-E-I-Oh! You’ll love playing this 1706-written Thomas D’Urfey opera piece turned elementary school animal song over and over for the children (and children at heart) in your life.
“Old MacDonald Had a Farm” is a fun and energetic song perfect for getting kids (and adults) moving and singing along.
When playing this song on the clarinet, focus on getting a clear and consistent tone, and pay attention to your phrasing and rhythm to keep the song moving along.
Here’s the sheet music below.
“Auld Lang Syne” is a traditional New Year’s Eve melody often played as a beginner piece for clarinetists.
It is an easy tune that is good for practicing phrasing and tone on the clarinet.
This song is also excellent for celebrating the New Year with friends and adding a festive touch to your repertoire!
Here’s the sheet music below.
“La Cucaracha” is next on our easy clarinet songs list! With history dating back to the Mexican Revolution, this folk tune about a cockroach is sure to be an earworm.
“La Cucaracha” is a fun and energetic song perfect for livening up any gathering.
When playing this song on the clarinet, pay attention to the phrasing and rhythm to add flair to your performance.
Here’s the sheet music below.
“Humpty Dumpty” is a simple nursery rhyme often used as a beginner piece for clarinetists.
It is an easy tune for practicing basic fingerings and tonguing on the clarinet.
This easy song is also a great choice for young musicians and for adding a touch of whimsy to your repertoire.
Here’s the sheet music below.
“Greensleeves” is next on our easy clarinet songs list! This traditional melody is often used as a beginner piece for clarinetists.
It is an easy tune that is good for practicing phrasing and tone on the clarinet.
This melody is also a great choice for exploring different cultures and music styles and adding some diversity to your repertoire.
Here’s the sheet music below.
One of the most famous classical ballets of all time, “Swan Lake” is a beautiful and iconic piece of music.
The clarinet has a prominent role in the orchestra for this ballet, and it is a challenging but rewarding piece for clarinetists to learn.
When playing “Swan Lake” on the clarinet, pay attention to the phrasing and dynamics to bring out the emotion in the music.
This is an excellent piece for more advanced clarinetists to add to their repertoire.
You can listen to it and get inspired! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n0Q4h4jO8Q&ab_channel=WindTab
Here’s the sheet music below.
This sentimental piece dates back to the 19th century and is a Christmas carol about Jesus Christ as a newborn baby.
“Away in a Manger” is a beautiful and peaceful song perfect for getting into the holiday spirit.
When playing this song on the clarinet, pay attention to your phrasing and dynamics to add expression to your performance.
Here’s the sheet music below.
Known in English as “By the Light of the Moon,” this simple French folk song is an introductory music education staple.
“Au Claire de la Lune” is a great song for beginning clarinetists to add to their repertoire, as it is easy to learn and allows for some fun improvisation.
When playing this song on the clarinet, pay attention to your phrasing and dynamics to add expression to your performance.
Here’s the sheet music below.
Beloved by poetry lovers and classic rock connoisseurs alike, this song was famously used by historical “To Cecilia” playwright Ben Jonson (1616) and famous singer Johnny Cash.
“Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes” is a beautiful and romantic song that is perfect for playing for a special someone.
When playing these easy clarinet songs, pay attention to your phrasing and dynamics to add expression to your performance.
Here’s the sheet music below.
Played as a royal, national, and English sports day anthem, “God Save The Queen” – also sung as “God Save The King” – has been a traditional staple since 1745.
The British National Anthem is a beautiful and iconic song that evokes feelings of patriotism and national pride.
When playing this song on the clarinet, pay attention to your phrasing and dynamics to add expression to your performance.
Here’s the sheet music below.
You’ll have anyone and everyone nearby clapping their hands to the beat of this happy children’s song clap clap.
“If You’re Happy and You Know It” is a fun and energetic song perfect for getting kids (and adults) moving and singing along.
When playing this song on the clarinet, focus on getting a clear and consistent tone, and pay attention to your phrasing and rhythm to keep the song moving along.
Here’s the sheet music below.
Penned in the 1870s, this classic cowboy tune is one of the top classic cowboy western songs of all time.
“Home on the Range” is a beautiful and nostalgic song that evokes the feeling of the great American West.
When playing this song on the clarinet, pay attention to your phrasing and dynamics to add expression to your performance.
Here’s the sheet music below.
One of the most famous holiday songs of all time, “Jingle Bells,” is a fun and energetic song that is perfect for getting everyone in the holiday spirit.
This song is excellent for beginning clarinetists, as it features a simple melody and easy rhythms.
When playing “Jingle Bells” on the clarinet, focus on getting a clear and consistent tone, and pay attention to your phrasing and rhythm.
For the sheet music, look below.
Sung to the tune of “Ah! Vous Dirai-Je, Maman,” a French melody.
This is a longtime favorite nursery rhyme, dating back to 1744. “Baa Baa, Black Sheep” is a simple and catchy song perfect for introducing kids to music.
When playing this song on the clarinet, pay attention to your phrasing and dynamics to add expression to your performance.
Here’s the sheet music below.
As we end our journey through the best clarinet songs for beginners, I hope you’ve found some new pieces to add to your repertoire. Whether you’re drawn to the timeless charm of traditional nursery rhymes, the timeless beauty of classical melodies, or the joy and cheer of holiday favorites, there’s something here for every aspiring clarinetist.
If you’re serious about learning the clarinet, consider taking online lessons. Online music lessons are convenient, flexible, and often more affordable than in-person lessons.
Plus, with the help of skilled and experienced instructors like Dean Hughart and Vanisha Evans, you’ll be able to progress more quickly and efficiently than if you were learning on your own.
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Our lessons are tailored to your needs and goals and are designed to help you progress as quickly as possible.
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So, if you’re ready to take your clarinet playing to the next level, consider giving online clarinet lessons a try. To learn more About Music 4 Humans click here. Make sure to look our talented teachers performing, such as Alison Bieber’s cover of The Joke by Brandi Carlie and Emiel De Jaegher’s Expansion on Technical Exercises.
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