If you want to take up an instrument as an adult - perhaps when you retire - the clarinet is ideal. It has a lovely sound, you can learn to play simple tunes quite soon and you can take it anywhere - it doesn't need electricity, just enthusiasm!

Making music with others is enjoyable and a good way of getting to know new people; and the Lyons C Clarinet is the most practical instrument for that. It is only one third the weight of the conventional clarinet and it is not affected by rain and extremes of temperature - so take it with you anywhere. However, its biggest advantage for amateurs is its key - C, the same key as pianos, guitars, flutes, violins, vocal music and recorders. This means the Lyons C Clarinet can play the music of many other instruments and all written songs without the player having to transpose the notes, as players of B-flat (conventional) clarinets would have to do unless they were playing music specially written for B-flat clarinet.

If you want to teach yourself that's quite possible. You can buy a comprehensive method book with an 80-minute CD for the Lyons C Clarinet written by Graham Lyons himself. Lyons is a well-known teacher and composer in Great Britain. The learning method pack together with the Tips for Beginners section will start you off in the right way.

You can download, freely, the written music for beginners that will appear on this site from time to time: duets and trios for clarinets and other common instruments and pieces specially composed by Graham Lyons with accompanying parts for piano or guitar.