The Complete Guide to Clarinet Lesson Pricing

How Much Do Clarinet Lessons Cost in Columbia, South Carolina?

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Marc Levesque

Updated 4/17/25 • 4 min read

The Average Clarinet Lesson Cost in Columbia, South Carolina:

Clarinet lessons in Columbia, South Carolina generally cost between $40-$70 per hour, depending on the teacher level, the location and length of lesson, and whether the lessons are in-person or online.

The average price for an one-hour clarinet lesson in Columbia is $65. Live online clarinet lessons using Zoom or GoogleMeet charge between $25-35 for a half hour lesson. Local private clarinet lessons range from $30-50 for a half hour lesson, while in-person group lessons can cost $20 for a half hour lesson.

Clarinet teachers without a music degree will charge as little as $40 an hour, and concert clarinetists with prizes from top music competitions might charge as much as $350!

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What Determines Clarinet Lesson Costs in Columbia?

Clarinet Teacher Level

When looking for a clarinet teacher in Columbia, one of the first things to consider is whether they have a music degree. Teachers without a degree usually charge between $35-$40 per hour, but their instruction may not be at a professional level.

Some teachers have a music degree, but not in clarinet—like someone with a Bachelor’s in oboe who happens to play clarinet as well. They typically charge $35-$50 per hour and have a solid grasp of music, but they may lack the advanced clarinet skills needed for in-depth instruction. This can lead to bad habits that might hold you back over time.

For the best learning experience, it’s ideal to find a teacher with at least a Bachelor’s degree in clarinet. Their rates usually range from $40-$80 per hour, while those with a Master’s or Doctorate in clarinet often charge between $60-$90 per hour.

In-person vs Online Lessons

Online clarinet lessons are generally the most affordable, with an average increase of about $10 for in-person lessons at a teacher’s studio, and a small additional increase to have the teacher visit your home. 

That said, in-person clarinet lesson prices in Columbia can vary quite a bit depending on how many teachers are available in your area. If you’re looking for high-quality instruction at a more affordable rate, online lessons may be your best option.

Recorded vs Live Lessons

If you’re looking for the cheapest possible clarinet lessons, there is the option of pre-recorded lessons. 

These are typically video or app-based lessons that aim to teach you basic clarinet skills and technique for a monthly fee. Unfortunately, these lessons cannot compare to the quality of live one-on-one lessons where the teacher can customize the lesson material for you, give you live feedback  in real time, and guide you to become better at practicing and performing.

Any clarinet student who is interested in becoming a capable clarinetist is better off looking for live 1-on-1 lessons, such as the $35 half hour lessons offered through Lesson With You.

How much do clarinet lessons cost? Lesson With You Clarinet Lessons Cost Guide

Do Beginners Need Professional Clarinet Teachers at First?

When learning the clarinet, starting with the right habits is very important. A professional teacher helps beginners avoid common mistakes and guides them step by step toward more advanced skills. Without expert instruction, things like posture, breathing, and technique can take years to fix!

The earlier students learn from a professional clarinet teacher, the more natural their playing will become, setting them up for long-term success.

What Do You Learn in Clarinet Lessons?

Posture and Breathing Methods

Proper posture and breathing make a huge difference when playing clarinet. Professional instructors teach students how to sit, hold the clarinet, and breathe correctly to avoid muscle tension in the mouth, neck, and shoulders. Learning these basics early on prevents discomfort and makes playing feel much easier.

Clarinet Techniques

Clarinet lessons focus on key performance techniques, from producing a clear tone to articulating notes correctly. A skilled teacher helps students refine their sound across different musical styles like Classical, Jazz, and Pop.

They also introduce practice strategies to improve finger agility, vibrato, and control over dynamics—making playing feel effortless and expressive.

Music Theory and Sight-Reading

Beyond playing the clarinet, students also develop music theory and sight-reading skills, which are essential for learning new pieces. A professional teacher helps students understand musical notation, recognize important symbols, and develop strong reading skills.

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How to Find the Most Affordable Clarinet Lessons in Columbia

We surveyed over 100 clarinet teachers across our own site, Lesson With You, and two other major sites, Wyzant and Lessonface, using a random zip code as the location. We specifically looked for teachers who have a degree in clarinet and teach lessons online.

Lesson With You has a set price of $65 per hour and indeed the price value is better than any other lesson site we’ve found. Each clarinet teacher at Lesson With You has a Master’s in clarinet. Lessons are only $65 per hour, making the live online clarinet lessons an incredible value. Besides, they offer a flexible scheduling with no contracts required.

Wyzant had the highest average price among qualified clarinet teachers, at $65 per hour. Even finding a teacher who didn’t major in clarinet, such as one with a flute or piano degree, didn’t do much to lower the price.

Lessonface offers a lower average rate of $60 among the teachers we checked. However, many clarinet instructors either don’t hold a music degree or didn’t study clarinet in college. Since many primarily teach other instruments like guitar or flute, they may not provide the best professional clarinet instruction.

Wyzant and Lessonface both have a very large number of clarinet teachers, so surely there are some good deals, but finding teachers who’s education and prices matched that of the teachers at Lesson With You is difficult and time consuming.

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About the author

Marc Levesque is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where he studied Piano Performance and Arts Administration, receiving both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees before attending Carnegie Mellon University to study educational technology. As a pianist, Marc made his debut with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra at age 15, playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2., and he has performed at various summer programs and festivals across the United States, Italy, and Croatia. Marc is a co-founder of Lesson With You, which fully combines his love of music, technology, and education.