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.
From ABRSM Clarion Sparks!, learn to play Blue Skies by Sarah Baker. Its melody uses long, four-beat notes and introduces players to dynamics.
From ABRSM Clarion Sparks!, It Goes Like This by Alexandra Skevington is a fun call-and-response piece. It helps players develop their timing and introduces different note lengths.
From ABRSM Clarion Sparks!, In The Clouds by Frederick Viner is a gently flowing piece about daydreaming. Written in triple time, it helps players practise timing and counting in threes.
From ABRSM Clarion Sparks!, Spiring by Louise Drewett explores the Clarion’s ability to move between high and low notes. Its long, smooth melody gives beginners the chance to practise moving smoothly between notes.
From ABRSM Clarion Sparks!, Soaring Through Sparks by Michael Betteridge is an exciting, rhythmic piece in which the Clarion melody soars above a driving accompaniment. It gives players the chance to practise rhythm and playing exactly on the beat.
Explore ‘The Orchestra: A Young Person’s Guide’ by Charlotte Harding. Discover how you can move between the five sections of the piece, and play different parts.
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
Join the community of Clarion players
Learn how to play the Clarion on our YouTube channel. You’ll find tips, tricks and advice from our community of Clarion players there, and on our Instagram and Facebook.
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:
- Thursday 7 January 2027, 4 – 5.30pm. 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.
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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