If you’re picking up the clarinet for the first time, you’re probably looking for some pieces of music that are basic enough to grasp quickly but fun enough to keep practising.
The good news is that there’s a wealth of music out there that’s either been written for the clarinet or that can be reworked. The clarinet has a beautiful, mellow, dark sound that can be extremely expressive, capturing the melancholic or lively nature of a piece. And it has a very distinctive tone – depending on the type of clarinet you choose.
While we have a few guides already on our blog about clarinets, we’re yet to discuss what to do once you actually have one! So, in this guide, we’ll discuss our top picks of easy clarinet songs that are great to add to your repertoire.
We’ve chosen some classical pieces of music, a couple of contemporary pop songs, and some nursery rhymes that are good for absolute beginners. Hopefully, you’ll find a few songs on here that you enjoy playing and help you progress in skill!
In a hurry?
Here are our favourite beginner songs for clarinet:
- “When I’m Sixty Four” by The Beatles (1967)
- “Swan Lake: Dance of the Swans” by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1877)
- “Brahms’ Lullaby” by Johannes Brahms (1868)
Clarinets for beginners
If you don’t have a clarinet just yet, here are our top three clarinets for beginners.
PlayLITE Clarinet by Gear4music
Key features
- Durable ABS resin body
- 17-key Boehm system
- Blue steel springs
Pros
- Resistant to environmental changes
- Fast, responsive key action
- Easy note production with leather pads
Cons
- Lacks traditional wooden clarinet feel
The playLITE Clarinet by Gear4music is an excellent choice for beginners. Its ABS resin body makes it durable and resistant to cracking, unlike wooden models, meaning it will see you through all your lessons and practice sessions in the early and intermediate stages.
The 17-key Boehm system is something that most teachers recommend, while blue steel springs provide a responsive action, ideal for fast progression. With leather pads for better intonation and ease of play, this clarinet offers a smooth introduction to learning. Plus, it comes with all the essentials, so you’re ready to start playing right away.
Buffet Prodige Bb Clarinet
Key features
- Durable ABS co-polymer body
- 17 keys and six rings
- Leather pads for better intonation
Pros
- Resistant to humidity and temperature
- Ergonomic design with adjustable thumb rest
- Easy sound projection with balanced notes
Cons
- Does not replicate the feel of wood
The Buffet Prodige Bb Clarinet is designed to help beginners master the basics with ease. Its ABS body is durable and low maintenance, ideal for students, while the bore, crafted with precision in Buffet’s French workshop, enhances projection and produces a warm tone.
This Buffet clarinet also has silver-plated keywork and leather pads to ensure a comfortable and responsive playing experience.
Leblanc LCL211S Debut Bb Clarinet
Key features
- Durable Reso-tone ABS body
- Silver-plated keywork
- Valentino synthetic pads
Pros
- Consistent performance in any environment
- Easy sound projection with ringless bell
- Lightweight with adjustable thumb rest
Cons
- ABS lacks the warmth of wood
Another option for beginners is the Leblanc LCL211S Debut Bb Clarinet. Its Reso-tone ABS body ensures consistent performance regardless of temperature changes, making it reliable and durable in various environments.
The silver-plated keywork offers smooth intonation with minimal maintenance, while blue steel springs and premium Valentino pads provide easy playability across all registers. Designed for comfort, this lightweight clarinet also features an adjustable thumb rest and includes a backpack-style case for easy transport.
Easy clarinet songs
1. “When I’m Sixty Four” by The Beatles (1967)
Possibly one of the most famous clarinet pop songs, “When I’m Sixty Four” is a Beatles classic that will have you dancing along in no time once you get the hang of the melody and rhythm.
It’s light-hearted, has a moderate tempo, and mainly uses notes from the lower register, which are more accessible for beginners still mastering their breath control and embouchure.
2. “Swan Lake: Dance of the Swans” by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1877)
The “Dance of the Swans” from Swan Lake is an excellent introduction to classical music for new clarinettists. It’s one of the more advanced pieces on the list, but it’s still great for beginners who want to work on control and phrasing. With an upbeat, graceful melody that requires smooth transitions between notes, “Dance of the Swans” helps to develop your finger dexterity and breath support.
3. “Brahms’ Lullaby” by Johannes Brahms (1868)
“Brahms’ Lullaby” is slow, soothing, and perfect for mastering the basics of clarinet technique. The piece allows you to focus on producing a warm, steady tone, with a focus on timing and hitting the notes perfectly.
The lullaby’s calm nature also encourages you to practise smooth legato playing, which is essential for developing musicality.
4. “Ode to Joy” (“Symphony No. 9 in D Minor”) by Ludwig van Beethoven (1824)
If you’re after something grand, something recognisable, and something to make everyone stop and listen, “Ode to Joy” is it. And the best thing is that it’s relatively straightforward to play.
It has a simple rhythm and the notes stay within a comfortable range, allowing you to focus on accuracy and articulation. With this piece, you’ll also get used to legato and staccato passages, and you’ll be able to practise dynamics and expression.
5. “Ave Maria” by Charles Gounod and Johann Sebastian Bach (1852)
“Ave Maria” has a slow, flowing melody that’s ideal for beginners. The piece encourages you to focus on breath control and phrasing in order to maintain the long, sustained notes.
Mastering the smoothness and fluidity of the piece is the key to making it sound lyrical and expressive.
6. “Hot Cross Buns”
There’s not much to say about “Hot Cross Buns” except that it’s one of the simplest and most common beginner tunes. Before you move on to more complex music, you’ll need to grasp the basics – and that’s where some easy nursery rhymes come in. “Hot Cross Buns” uses only three notes and has a short, repetitive melody, allowing you to work on finger positioning and breath control.
7. “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
Another popular nursery rhyme, “Mary Had a Little Lamb” provides the building blocks for basic clarinet techniques.
This song uses just a few notes in a stepwise pattern, making it easy to memorise and play on the clarinet.
8. “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1787)
If you’re after some lively classical music to play on the clarinet, try Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”. However, we recommend trying a few slower, simpler pieces first before moving to this one. It’s still fairly easy to get to grips with, but the upbeat feel and tempo might be a little too advanced for complete beginners.
The good thing about this piece is that it has a clear structure and is quite repetitive, helping you learn as you go along. Our advice is to start slowly and build up the speed once you’ve mastered the melody.
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” is also a great introduction to articulation techniques, as the piece features both staccato and legato passages, helping you practise smooth note transitions and precise finger movements.
9. “When the Saints Go Marching In”
Another easy clarinet song is “When the Saints Go Marching In”, which is an excellent choice for beginners due to its memorable melody, straightforward rhythm, and repetitive structure.
It introduces you to basic articulation, with a mix of staccato and legato passages helping improve control over note separation and phrasing. The range is simple, allowing you to focus on mastering finger positions and breath support while keeping the melody lively and engaging.
10. “Hey Jude” by The Beatles (1968)
The Beatles’ hit that you can’t help but sing along to, “Hey Jude” is one of the easiest clarinet songs that’s not a nursery rhyme. It’s slow, repetitive, and stays within a comfortable range of notes. Plus, because of its flowing structure, it’s a great one for practising sustaining a consistent tone and mastering basic breath control. You’ll develop your endurance and learn how to transition smoothly between notes and phrases.
11. “Scarborough Fair”
“Scarborough Fair” is an ideal beginner song thanks to its slow tempo and hauntingly beautiful melody.
The repetitive phrasing allows you to focus on note accuracy and breath control, and the notes stay within an accessible range, so you can concentrate on improving your tone and legato playing. “Scarborough Fair” is also excellent for developing a sense of musical expression, helping you shape phrases with dynamics and subtle articulation.
12. “Für Elise” by Ludwig van Beethoven (1810)
“Für Elise” is a great easy piece of music that can be reworked for the clarinet. The tune’s moderate pace and repetitive structure make it easy to learn, allowing you to focus on finger placement and smooth transitions. It’s also great for practising basic articulation, with a mix of legato and staccato sections.
13. “Amazing Grace” by John Newton (1772)
Last on our list of easy clarinet songs is “Amazing Grace”, an ideal beginner piece. Its long, sustained notes help you focus on breath control and producing a smooth, consistent sound.
The melody is simple, and it’s within a nice and easy range. Plus, “Amazing Grace” is a great piece for practising phrasing, expression, and dynamics, helping you improve your musicality while building technical skills.
FAQs
What is the easiest clarinet song to play?
The easiest clarinet song to play is “Hot Cross Buns”. This song only features three notes and has a very simple melody. We recommend starting with “Hot Cross Buns” and other nursery rhymes if you’re a complete beginner.
Is a clarinet easier to play than a flute?
A clarinet is easier to play than a flute in that it requires less breath power to direct air into the instrument. However, finger placement tends to be harder on a clarinet than a flute as student flutes come with closed holes.
Can I learn clarinet on my own?
You can learn clarinet on your own with the use of books and online resources, such as YouTube tutorials. However, if you want to learn more advanced techniques, you may find it useful to have a teacher.
Final thoughts
As our list of easy clarinet songs has shown, you can play pretty much anything on the clarinet and have fun! Whether it’s a classical piece of music, a pop song, or a nursery rhyme, there’s plenty of material out there to get stuck in with.
For more clarinet guides, check out some of our other articles:
The 7 Best Clarinets for Beginners
The 9 Best Clarinet Brands for All Ability Levels
Clarinet vs. Oboe – What’s the Difference?
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