He did not have formal instruction in composition but he was helped by Henry Kleber ( 1816 -- 97 ) , a German - born music dealer in Pittsburgh .
Foster was able to teach himself to play the clarinet , violin , guitar , flute and piano .
Foster did not have formal instruction in composition but Foster was helped by Henry Kleber ( 1816 -- 97 ) , a German - born music dealer in Pittsburgh .
Foster was able to teach himself to play the clarinet , violin , guitar , flute and piano .