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Clarinet Lessons in St. Louis
Imperfect Music Studio offers clarinet lessons in the St. Louis metro area for students ages 10 and up — from beginning band members to adult learners. Lessons are designed to meet students where they are, whether starting their very first notes or preparing for advanced opportunities.
The clarinet is wonderfully versatile, shining in classical, jazz, and even klezmer music. To give you a taste, here’s a playlist of clarinet performances — from Weber’s timeless classics to movie favorites like The Terminal.
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Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A (lyrical beauty, classical core)
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Weber: Clarinet Concerto No. 1 (virtuosic showpiece)
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Grainger: Molly on the Shore (classic band repertoire)
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Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol (orchestral color)
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John Williams: Tale of Viktor Navorski (from the film, The Terminal)
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Benny Goodman: Dizzy Fingers (swing/jazz)
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Giora Feidman: Dance Me to the End of Love (folk tradition)
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Scott McAllister: Black Dog (modern, rock-influenced clarinet)
- Bach: Cello Suite, No. 1 (bass clarinet)
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Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue (iconic clarinet glissando)
What Lessons Look Like
Wondering how students grow from their very first notes toward playing music like Mozart and McAllister? Clarinet lessons at Imperfect Music Studio are designed to balance strong fundamentals with exploration, so students gain skills and deepen their enjoyment of music. Every student’s journey looks a little different, but here are some guiding principles:
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Weekly lessons (45 minutes): Enough time to cover core skills while leaving space for creativity.
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Core Skills: Tone, technique, and all the “nuts and bolts” — reading, theory, scales, and more — woven into each lesson so students can truly make music.
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Practice at home: Most beginners thrive with 10–15 minutes a day, 5 days a week. As students grow, their practice naturally lengthens to match their expanding skills and goals.
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Audition preparation: Advanced students receive support for chair tests, All-Suburban/All-State, and even college auditions.
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Performances & community: Through recitals and workshops, students celebrate progress and experience music as part of a community.
You can find more details about tuition, workshops, and community on the Lessons Page.
Lesson Personalization
Students come to clarinet lessons with different goals and needs. That’s why lessons include regular Journey Check-ins — short conversations to reflect, set goals, and make adjustments. Here's what that might look like:
🏠 Finding ways to support practice at home
🎬 Combining student interests with skill building (like sight reading movie duets)
🌟 Exploring strategies for performance anxiety
🎨 Adding creativity to the lessons through composition, rhythm games, or learning to play by ear
🎶 Exploring clarinet’s versatility through many musical styles
These check-ins keep lessons responsive, helping music stay rewarding, sustainable, and joyful over time.
Equipment
The right setup makes playing easier and more enjoyable. A poor setup is like trying to play basketball with a flat ball – you’ll work harder and still be held back. A few smart choices help prevent squeaks, support tone, and build solid technique.
Recommended beginner's setup:
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🎶 Reeds: Vandoren V12 reeds (silver box, most beginners start with a 2.5 strength)
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🎶 Mouthpiece: A quality student mouthpiece (like the Hite Premier or comparable), or a step-up option like the Vandoren M13 Lyre.
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🎶 Instrument: A beginner model from a reputable brand (Vito, Buffet, etc)
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🎶 Ligature: Bonade Inverted or comparable
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🎶 Reed Case: For storage and rotation; note that reeds need to be replaced regularly
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🎶 Cleaning swab
Taking good care of the instrument will help it keep in good repair, but all instruments need maintenance like replacing corks and pads.
Finally, as students grow, their needs change. Lessons include guidance on upgrading and learning care habits so they can keep moving forward with a setup that supports their progress.
Journey Highlights
With grit and grace, students from Imperfect Music Studio have taken their journeys in many directions. Over the years, they’ve pursued music in ways that reflect both hard work and joyful exploration:
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University study: Accepted to college music programs across the country
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Honor ensembles: Selected for both regional and All-State Bands
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Performance experiences: From the Colorado Ambassadors of Music European Tour to local youth orchestras & community ensembles
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Festivals & competitions: Consistently earning top ratings at Solo & Ensemble festivals.
I look forward to celebrating similar accomplishments with clarinet students in the St. Louis Metro Area.
Join the Journey
Imperfect Music Studio is moving to St. Louis in 2026. We're not enrolling yet — but you can join the interest list to get updates on enrollment! Or contact me at annaka@imperfectmusicstudio.com. You can also visit the Lessons Page to learn more about tuition, workshops, and our community.
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