Clarinet Lessons in Tennessee
What clarinet lessons cost across Tennessee, and how to find the right teacher.
Clarinet lesson prices across Tennessee
A one-hour clarinet lesson in Tennessee typically costs $58 to $83, and a half hour $32 to $45. Most towns sit close to that range. The Nashville area runs highest, up to $97 an hour.
Every town has two guides: a clarinet lessons guide, with local schools, events and places to play, and a costs guide, with that town's prices in detail.
| Town | 30 minutes | One hour | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville area | |||
| Nashville | $33–$53 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Murfreesboro | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| Franklin | $33–$52 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Spring Hill | $33–$51 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Hendersonville | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Smyrna | $32–$49 | $59–$90 | LessonsCosts |
| Gallatin | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Brentwood | $32–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Columbia | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Lebanon | $32–$50 | $59–$91 | LessonsCosts |
| Mount Juliet | $33–$53 | $61–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| La Vergne | $32–$49 | $59–$90 | LessonsCosts |
| Springfield | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Goodlettsville | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Dickson | $33–$52 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Nolensville | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| White House | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Portland | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Hartsville | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Memphis area | |||
| Memphis | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Bartlett | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Collierville | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Germantown | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Arlington | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Lakeland | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Millington | $31–$44 | $58–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Atoka | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Knoxville area | |||
| Knoxville | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Oak Ridge | $31–$44 | $57–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Maryville | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Farragut | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Powell | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Alcoa | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Lenoir City | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Chattanooga area | |||
| Chattanooga | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| East Ridge | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Soddy-Daisy | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Middle Valley | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Red Bank | $31–$44 | $58–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Collegedale | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Kingsport area | |||
| Kingsport | $31–$43 | $56–$78 | LessonsCosts |
| Bristol | $31–$43 | $56–$78 | LessonsCosts |
| Johnson City area | |||
| Johnson City | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Elizabethton | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Sevierville area | |||
| Sevierville | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Seymour | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Tullahoma area | |||
| Tullahoma | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Manchester | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Other Tennessee towns | |||
| Athens | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Clarksville | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Cleveland | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Cookeville | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Crossville | $31–$44 | $57–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Dyersburg | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Greeneville | $31–$44 | $58–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Jackson | $31–$43 | $56–$78 | LessonsCosts |
| Lawrenceburg | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Lewisburg | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Martin | $32–$46 | $58–$85 | LessonsCosts |
| McMinnville | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Morristown | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Shelbyville | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Union City | $32–$46 | $58–$85 | LessonsCosts |
No Tennessee town by that name yet. Lessons are live online, so you can still start from anywhere in Tennessee.
Meet a Clarinet Teacher in Tennessee Before You Continue Weekly
The free first lesson is a low-pressure way to meet the teacher, experience live online clarinet instruction, and decide whether weekly lessons feel right for you or your child in Tennessee.
- One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
- Live weekly lessons from home with no commute
- Build tone, reading, reed confidence, and school-band skills
- Choose 30, 45, or 60 minutes after the free lesson
Find Your Next Clarinet Teacher in Tennessee
Browse clarinet teachers, compare fit and availability, and start with a free trial before choosing weekly lessons in Tennessee.
Filter by Day & Time
Canon Cochran
Try adjusting your filters.
How clarinet learning works in Tennessee
How does clarinet fit school music in Tennessee?
Tennessee public schools include music in K–8 instruction, but that does not mean every school starts clarinet at the same grade. Beginning band commonly starts in sixth grade: White Station Middle School in Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Bearden Middle School in Knox County Schools both offer it then, while Martin Luther King Jr. School in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools lists beginning band in seventh grade. Sevier County starts band in fifth grade. This matters because your child’s first chance to play clarinet in school depends on the district and school, not a single statewide starting year.
When school music starts in Tennessee districts
Who runs what for Tennessee clarinetists?
Tennessee’s school music honors and private-studio competition routes are separate. The Tennessee Music Education Association (TMEA) runs student All-State ensembles, including a statewide Middle School Honors Band for seventh- and eighth-grade players; a school director who belongs to TMEA handles the school’s audition submissions. The Tennessee Music Teachers Association (TMTA) holds spring local auditions, with qualifying students advancing to a state competition. That distinction matters: school honors go through the band director, while TMTA gives a student another route through local auditions. The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association handles athletics, not music honors.
Who runs what in Tennessee
Tennessee Music Education Association (TMEA)
- Runs
- Runs student All-State ensembles and statewide school music honors.
- For
- School music students through participating directors.
Tennessee Music Teachers Association (TMTA)
- Runs
- Holds spring local auditions and state student competitions.
- For
- Elementary, Junior, and Senior student entrants.
Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA)
- Runs
- Regulates secondary-school athletics, not music competitions.
- For
- Tennessee secondary schools and athletic programs.
Auditions and events in Tennessee
How does a clarinetist reach Tennessee's top student honors?
For a young clarinetist, a clear school-honors route begins with the statewide Middle School Honors Band, open to seventh- and eighth-graders. The school’s TMEA-member director submits students, with up to three clarinetists per school; registration is due in early October, materials and payment in late October, and results follow in November. Selected players rehearse and perform in Nashville during the TMEA conference in January. Older students can also pursue TMEA All-State auditions through their school director; the second-tier window is in late October and early November. Separately, TMTA students audition locally in spring, and those earning a Superior rating with the required musicianship score advance to state competition in summer.
The clarinet route in Tennessee, step by step
- Middle School Honors BandGrades 7–8 enter through a TMEA-member director; registration is usually due in early October.
- Audition and resultsAudition materials and payment are usually due in late October, with results in November.
- TMEA All-StateOlder students follow school-directed auditions; the second-tier window is usually late October to early November.
- TMTA state competitionSpring local auditions lead qualifying students to a state competition, usually in summer.
The Tennessee clarinet year
MTNA Competitions – Fall 2026 (Tennessee state-level rounds)Music Teachers National Association; Tennessee host: Tennessee Music Teachers AssociationStart the piece Apr to Jul
Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent
What do auditions ask you to prepare?
For Tennessee clarinet students, the clearest documented contest preparation is for the Tennessee Music Teachers Association competitions: a local spring audition scores both performance and musicianship, and students receive written constructive critique from music professionals. The specific clarinet repertoire and technical requirements are set for the event, so confirm the current entry instructions before choosing a piece. A polished event piece usually takes three to six months of weekly lessons to shape; that gives time to strengthen tone, steady rhythm, and make musical choices rather than simply learn the notes.
What else is there to enter?
The Tennessee Music Teachers Association competitions suit clarinetists who want an individual performance goal and written feedback, whether or not they are aiming for school honors. Local auditions take place in spring, and students who qualify on performance and musicianship move on to a state competition in summer. For players who prefer making music with peers rather than entering a solo contest, Tennessee’s school and community ensemble routes offer a different kind of challenge and shared performance experience.
Clarinet events in Tennessee, 2026–27
Tennessee Music Teachers Association Competitions – Spring 2027
Tennessee Music Teachers Association
- When
- Spring 2027; state competition held with the TMTA State Conference; exact dates not published
- Entry
- $43 per member Elementary entry; $48 per member Junior entry; $53 per member Senior entry; $72 per non-member entry
- Who
- Elementary, Junior, and Senior categories
MTNA Competitions – Fall 2026 (Tennessee state-level rounds)
Music Teachers National Association; Tennessee host: Tennessee Music Teachers Association
- When
- Usually late October each year
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- Junior, Senior, and Young Artist categories; category age limits are in MTNA rules
Homeschool and private school students
Homeschool students and students at schools without band or orchestra can register for Mid-State and All-State Honors Orchestra or Band auditions through Vanderbilt Youth Orchestras in Nashville. In East Tennessee, Knoxville Christian Youth Bands serves homeschool, private-school, and public-school students in grades 5–12, while Nashville Notes offers band and other arts programs to homeschool students from preschool through high school. These routes give a clarinetist ensemble experience even when the school day does not include a band program.
Starting at any age
Starting a child on clarinet
Clarinet often suits children around the time they can manage its keys and coordinate steady breath, commonly in late elementary school. Since many Tennessee schools begin band in sixth grade, private lessons before then give your child time to learn a comfortable embouchure, make a clear sound, and read basic rhythms before rehearsals move quickly. A teacher can also help with setup and early practice habits, then support school music once it begins. In districts with fifth-grade band, lessons can run alongside that earlier start.
A teen in Tennessee
A teen who is new to clarinet can join a school band where the district permits, but the pace may be brisk if band began in an earlier grade. For a student already playing, Tennessee’s seventh- and eighth-grade Middle School Honors Band is an early audition goal, while older students can pursue TMEA All-State opportunities through their school director. Weekly lessons fit the school calendar by building skills steadily before audition periods, so the student can balance band rehearsals, classwork, and individual preparation.
Starting or coming back as an adult
Starting clarinet as an adult is entirely workable, and a weekly teacher can meet you at your current level, whether you are learning to read or rebuilding breath support. Tennessee has community bands where clarinetists can put those skills to use: the Jackson Area Community Bands in Jackson welcomes adult members, and the Cookeville Community Band invites interested musicians from the Upper Cumberland area to inquire about joining. As your reading and playing become steadier, a teacher can help you prepare for the commitment of rehearsals and performances.
Finding the right teacher
What should a good clarinet teacher do?
A strong clarinet teacher listens closely to tone and breath, then builds finger coordination and reading at a pace that suits the player. That matters for a Tennessee student preparing for band or honors auditions, but the right fit also depends on age, goals, and temperament: a young beginner needs clear, patient steps, while a returning adult may want a plan to restore fluency. Every Lesson With You teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in clarinet. You can choose a teacher yourself or ask us to recommend one, then switch at no cost if the fit is not right.
How do live online clarinet lessons work?
A live Zoom clarinet lesson lets the teacher hear tone, articulation, and rhythm in real time and see hand position and posture on camera. Set the device far enough back to show your upper body and instrument, with a steady internet connection and a quiet place to play; the teacher can ask you to adjust the view as needed. There is no commute, and you can work with a teacher who fits instead of relying only on whoever is closest. A student in Nashville and one in Nolensville have the same teacher choice and the same weekly one-on-one lesson, which makes it easier to keep a regular rhythm.
What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You
CanonBachelor’s in ClarinetClarinet in Tennessee
Where to hear clarinet
Across Tennessee, the clarinet is part of the orchestral sound students can hear in live performance. In Memphis, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra performs at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, including a January 30, 2027 program pairing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5. In Chattanooga, Chattanooga Symphony & Opera offers students and children half-price tickets for most performances, with one discounted ticket per eligible person. Those concerts let you hear how clarinet lines blend with strings, brass, and the full ensemble.
Where to play with others
Clarinetists can find community playing beyond school band. The Kingsport Community Band welcomes instrumentalists from the greater Kingsport area and beyond, whatever their background. In Chattanooga, the Scenic City Community Orchestra welcomes players of any experience level without an audition, so it offers a less formal route into group playing. For a developing player, these groups offer a goal of listening across the ensemble and keeping a part steady with others.
Clarinet around Tennessee, area by area
Nashville area
Nashville gives young clarinetists a youth ensemble route through Tennessee Youth Symphony’s Youth Symphony, which accepts clarinet and bass clarinet players. College students can buy discounted tickets to eligible Nashville Symphony concerts. These options give families in Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, and other towns in the area both a way to pursue ensemble playing and a chance to hear orchestral music.
- School year
- Aug 11 to May 25, 37 lesson weeks (Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools)
- Town guides
- Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Spring Hill, Hendersonville, Smyrna, Gallatin, Brentwood
Memphis area
Memphis families can hear the Memphis Youth Symphony Program’s Fall Concerts, with student and senior tickets available for $5. The program also offers Concert Band and a spring Wind Ensemble for clarinetists seeking ensemble experience. Opera Memphis presents free performances around the city during 30 Days of Opera each September, adding another live-music option for families.
- School year
- Aug 3 to May 20, 37 lesson weeks (Memphis-Shelby County Schools)
- Town guides
- Memphis, Bartlett, Southaven, Collierville, Olive Branch, Germantown, Horn Lake, West Memphis
Knoxville area
Knoxville offers the Knoxville Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble for clarinetists in grades 7–12; students need at least a year of experience and submit a video audition. For a younger player, the group offers a longer-term ensemble goal, while families can choose live music outings suited to children: those in grade 12 and under from Knox and surrounding counties can attend Knoxville Symphony Masterworks or Roy Cockrum Chamber Series concerts free with a paying adult ticket, up to three children per adult.
- School year
- Aug 10 to May 26, 38 lesson weeks (Knox County Schools)
Chattanooga area
In Chattanooga, Tennessee Youth Symphony offers young clarinetists a youth ensemble route. Families can also hear the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, which offers discounted student and child tickets for most performances. Hearing orchestral playing can give a developing clarinetist a useful point of reference while they work toward ensemble playing.
- School year
- Aug 5 to May 19, 38 lesson weeks (Hamilton County Schools)
- Town guides
- Chattanooga, East Ridge, Soddy-Daisy, Middle Valley, Red Bank, Collegedale, Fort Oglethorpe
Clarksville area
Clarksville Youth Performing Arts Association offers an audition-based youth ensemble opportunity for students ready to prepare for selection. Downtown @ Sundown brings free, family-friendly concerts to Downtown Commons on select Friday evenings from May through October. Families can choose between a student performance goal and an informal concert outing.
- School year
- Aug 4 to May 27, 38 lesson weeks (Clarksville-Montgomery County School System)
- Town guides
- Clarksville, Hopkinsville, Fort Campbell North
Kingsport area
Kingsport’s Twilight Alive series offers eight weeks of free live music downtown. In Johnson City, the Johnson City Community Concert Band presents four to six free concerts each year at indoor and outdoor venues, giving young clarinetists a chance to hear a community ensemble perform.
- School year
- Aug 3 to May 19, 38 lesson weeks (Kingsport City Schools)
Jackson area
Jackson Area Community Bands welcomes clarinetists among its student and adult members. New high school and college students have dues waived for their first year or two semesters, giving them a way to continue playing after school. The group offers local musicians an opportunity to perform together.
- School year
- Aug 3 to May 21, 37 lesson weeks (Jackson-Madison County School System)
- Town guides
- Jackson
A little clarinet history in Tennessee
Clarinet has a visible place in Tennessee’s concert life, especially in East Tennessee. Victor Chávez plays third and bass clarinet with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and is principal clarinetist with the Symphony of the Mountains in Kingsport. The UTKlarinettenchor, founded in 2013, performs on campus and at regional events, and its annual Single Reed Day Honor Invitational brings high school students together each spring. For a student, that means clarinet has a local chamber and concert tradition to hear and join.
Start Clarinet Lessons With a Free Trial
- One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
- Live weekly lessons from home with no commute
- Build tone, reading, reed confidence, and school-band skills
- Choose 30, 45, or 60 minutes after the free lesson
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a teacher who can explain tone, breath, and finger technique in a way that fits your age and goal. Lesson With You offers one-on-one weekly Zoom lessons with teachers who hold at least a bachelor's degree in clarinet, and you can choose someone yourself or ask us to recommend a fit.
Yes, a live video lesson lets a teacher hear your sound and articulation in real time and see your hands, posture, and embouchure. With a stable camera view and a quiet place to play, you get direct feedback without commuting and can learn with a teacher who fits.
Many Tennessee schools begin band in sixth grade, but the starting point differs by district and school. Sevier County starts band in fifth grade, while Martin Luther King Jr. School in Nashville lists beginning band in seventh grade.
A seventh- or eighth-grade clarinetist can pursue TMEA’s statewide Middle School Honors Band through a TMEA-member school director, then older players can follow the school-directed All-State audition route. TMTA offers another path through spring local auditions, with qualifying students advancing to its state competition.
Yes, homeschool students can register for Mid-State and All-State Honors Orchestra or Band auditions through Vanderbilt Youth Orchestras in Nashville. Knoxville Christian Youth Bands and Nashville Notes also offer ensemble opportunities for homeschool students.
Many children are ready for clarinet in late elementary school, when they can manage its keys and coordinate steady breath. Starting before a school band begins, often in sixth grade, gives your child time to build a clear tone and basic reading skills.
No, adults can start or return to clarinet at any age, and lessons can begin with the skills you already have. When you are ready, community groups such as the Nashville Community Concert Band or Knoxville Community Band offer a way to play with others.
Clarinet lessons in Tennessee typically cost about $65 an hour, or $32 to $45 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.