Learn and play
We can't wait to hear your music
The Clarion has successfully powered the creation of inclusive ensembles in England and Wales because it works in demanding educational settings, within a broad instrumental mix.
Musicians love the sound choices and control it gives them, the colourful screens and the intuitive playing experience. Music teachers and therapists also highly rate the fact it’s quick to set up and customize.
Like all great instruments, it’s fun to play on your own but even better to play with others! Let’s build our community of Clarion players.
Quick guides
You can get playing straightaway with an iPad or Windows device, by downloading the Clarion from the App Store or Microsoft Store. To make the most of your instrument, we recommend you upgrade to a full version and invest in some additional equipment, especially for those playing in an ensemble setting.
The Clarion is quick and easy to set up. This printable manual recaps the ‘how-tos.’ Have fun making music!
In this quick demo video, we show you some Clarion how-tos – from playing notes to uploading patterns and changing sounds.
> Getting started transcript
Bea Hubble (National Open Youth Orchestra) and Jonathan Westrup (Open Orchestras) share essential tips to make the most of the Clarion. Position and amplification matter!
> Essential tips transcript and Clarion Equipment list.
One of the world’s most famous tunes, Happy Birthday can be a lot of fun for those starting on the Clarion. Play it your way: in order, backwards or improvise!
> Happy Birthday transcript
We hope this video inspires great performances of this wonderful traditional English folk song… Slowly, quickly, playing all the notes or just your chosen ones.
> Blow the Wind Southerly transcript
Practice memorising music with the beautiful melody of Amazing Grace. This video also shows how some patterns are more accessible for eye gaze and head motion players.
> Amazing Grace transcript
We’ve created the Pentatonic jam session folder to make it easy for you to play along with your favourite chart tunes. Try out the various patterns and share your music!
> Pentatonic jam session transcript
Explore ‘Magic’ from ‘Storm’ by Judith Weir, one of our BBC Ten Pieces. Discover the three enchanting sections: ‘Elves’, ‘Magic Spell’ and ‘Moonshine’.
> Magic transcript
Explore ‘Grasswalk’ by Laura Shigihara from the game ‘Plants Vs. Zombies’, one of our BBC Ten Pieces. Try out different sounds and enjoy pretending you’re making music for a video game!
> Grasswalk transcript
Get in touch with your thoughts and feedback. We will do our best to get back to you within five working days.
Don’t miss our next Clarion webinar:
- Monday 29 September 2025, 3:30 – 5pm, in partnership with Music Mar. Book your place.
For in person training, please email help@theclarion.uk.
We’ll take you through essentials and share practical ideas to start using the Clarion in your sessions, including:
- Setting up and positioning the Clarion for different players
- Playing notes expressively
- Exploring Clarion patterns
There will be practical music making activities, so to make the most of the training, we recommend you bring along a Clarion with features and content unlocked (to do this, sign in to the Clarion app with your Clarion Education or Open Orchestras sign in details).
Watch Clarion players in action
Showcase
Clarion player Ibrahim
In this video, Ibrahim shows you how he makes his own patterns on his Clarion on Windows PC. Also watch him perform Howard Blake’s Walking in the Air from The Snowman with his band like you’ve never heard it before.
National Open Youth Orchestra concert
Watch the Clarion being played at Lighthouse Poole alongside other electronic and acoustic instruments. This was a double bill also featuring BSO Resound. Get tickets for their next tour.
What Fear We Then? music video
Co-commissioned with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, this beautiful ten-minute piece was inspired by Alexander Campkin’s journey between non-disability and disability and the National Open Youth Orchestra’s young musicians. He compared composing for the Clarion to being like a painter given a new palette of colours.
Treloar's Gala performance
In this video, Director of Music Jocelyn Watkins explains why the Clarion has been a game-changer for her students. Meet some of Treloar’s Clarion players and watch their wonderful performance of Gnossienne by Erik Satie.
Middlesbrough Open Orchestra Open Day
Watch the formidable Middlesbrough Open Orchestra perform Children by Robert Miles. During their Open Day, they also invited visiting students to try the Clarion on iPads, as well as other instruments. Everyone then joined in to play together as one big ensemble.
The best way to never miss new videos with tips, music and showcases from other Clarion players, is to subscribe! Tag us to share your content.
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