The Clarinet Ninja Podcast brings you insightful interviews with clarinet players and practical lessons to help musicians of all ages and skill levels learn, grow, and celebrate the clarinet. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, join us for expert tips, inspiring stories, and all things clarinet!
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Practice Smarter: The Clarinet Edition Part II with Dr. Molly Gebrian
Thursday, April 3, 2025 • Duration 37:29
Episode 4: Molly Gebrian – Science-Based Practice Techniques Molly Gebrian returns to the Clarinet Ninja Podcast to dive even deeper into the science of learning. In this episode, she shares specific, research-backed practice techniques to help you improve faster and retain what you learn more effectively. If you're looking to take your clarinet playing to the next level with smarter practice, you won’t want to miss this!
Practice Smarter: The Clarinet Edition with Dr Molly Gebrian
Thursday, April 3, 2025 • Duration 33:55
Episode 3: Molly Gebrian – Learn Faster, Perform Better In this episode of the Clarinet Ninja Podcast, I’m joined by Molly Gebrian, violist, neuroscientist, and author of Learn Faster, Perform Better. She breaks down how the brain works and shares science-backed practice strategies to help you learn the clarinet more efficiently. If you’ve ever wondered how to practice smarter—not just harder—this episode is for you!
The Incredible Clarinet Journey of Ricardo Morales part 2
Thursday, April 3, 2025 • Duration 57:09
Episode 2: Ricardo Morales – Mastering the Clarinet & Finding the Right Gear In this episode of the Clarinet Ninja Podcast, Ricardo Morales returns to share his insights on teaching and learning the clarinet. We explore effective practice strategies, the mindset of a great musician, and the importance of finding the right clarinet equipment. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this episode is packed with valuable advice to elevate your playing!
The Incredible Clarinet Journey of Ricardo Morales part 1
Thursday, April 3, 2025 • Duration 41:08
Episode 1: Ricardo Morales – From Prodigy to Principal In the premiere episode of the Clarinet Ninja Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Ricardo Morales. We dive into his journey to becoming principal clarinet of the MET Opera at just 21 years old, as well as my experience studying with him in the mid-1990s. Along the way, we share laughs, stories, and invaluable insights into the world of clarinet playing. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!
Mitch Estrin: New York Philharmonic/University of Florida/ICA President shares his knowledge
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 • Duration 01:01:46
In this episode, we dive into Writing the Vandoren Wave, a compelling collection of essays by acclaimed clarinetist and educator Mitchell Estrin. This book offers powerful insights into the art of clarinet playing, thoughtful reflections on music education, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most influential brands in the clarinet world—Vandoren.
🎶 Why this book matters: Writing the Vandoren Wave isn't just for clarinetists—it’s for teachers, students, and anyone passionate about music education. Mitch brings decades of wisdom, humor, and real-world experience to every page.
Check me out here: ClarinetNinja.com
🛒 Grab your copy here: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mitch-estrin-new-york-philharmonic-university-of/id1806592700?i=1000704401678
📬 Stay in the loop with Vandoren: Get more tips, interviews, and inspiration straight to your inbox by subscribing to The Wave, Vandoren's official newsletter. 👉https://www.dansr.com/vandoren/resources
🎓 About Mitch Estrin
Performed with the New York Philharmonic, working under legendary conductors like Leonard Bernstein and Zubin Mehta.
Professor of Clarinet at the University of Florida, where he mentors the next generation of clarinetists.
Former president of the International Clarinet Association (ICA).
A longtime Vandoren artist and passionate advocate for excellence in clarinet education.
Whether you're a clarinetist, music educator, or lifelong learner, this conversation and Mitch's book will leave you feeling inspired and reconnected to your musical purpose.
Inside the Art of Making Brad Behn Clarinet Mouthpieces
Monday, May 5, 2025 • Duration 58:37
🎶 In Part 2 of our conversation with master craftsman Brad Behn, we dive deep into how he actually creates his legendary clarinet mouthpieces. From material selection to design philosophy and precision hand-finishing, Brad shares insider secrets behind the mouthpieces trusted by top clarinetists worldwide.
How Brad Behn designs and makes clarinet mouthpieces
What makes a mouthpiece truly special
Common myths about clarinet mouthpiece manufacturing
🎧 Whether you're a clarinet enthusiast, professional player, or gear nerd, you’ll love this behind-the-scenes look into the world of premium clarinet craftsmanship. Subscribe to the Clarinet Ninja Podcast for more clarinet inspiration!
Links are affiliate links - a great (no cost to you) way to support the channel!
Mouthpieces:
Affordable professional Bb clarinet mouthpiece:
How Brad Behn Became a Master Clarinet Mouthpiece Maker
Monday, April 28, 2025 • Duration 47:29
🎶 In this episode of the Clarinet Ninja Podcast, we sit down with world-renowned mouthpiece, barrel, bell, reed, and reed case maker Brad Behn. Discover how Brad’s journey from professional clarinetist to master craftsman began — and what inspired him to revolutionize clarinet gear. If you've ever wondered how the best clarinet mouthpieces are made, or how passion and artistry shape great craftsmanship, this episode is for you!
🔥 Topics we cover: Brad Behn’s journey from performance to mouthpiece design How top-quality clarinet mouthpieces are born Advice for clarinetists looking to upgrade their setup 🎧 Don't forget to subscribe to the Clarinet Ninja Podcast for more clarinet insights, interviews, and gear deep-dives! #Clarinet #BradBehn #ClarinetMouthpiece #ClarinetPodcast #ClarinetNinja #ClarinetGear #woodwindquintet
Clarinet Ninja approved products
Links are affiliate links - a great (no cost to you) way to support the channel!
From Crutches to Clarinets: What Injury Recovery Taught Me About Adult Learning
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 • Duration 41:08
🎧 Ever feel like your progress is slower than it should be? In this inspiring episode, I reflect on my journey recovering from a broken foot and the surprising parallels it shares with learning the clarinet as an adult.
💥 From pain and patience to tiny wins and trust in the process, this story is a reminder that healing—and learning—aren’t linear. Whether you're nursing an injury or nurturing your skills, this episode is here to lift you up and remind you: you’re doing better than you think.
🛠️ Themes we explore: How rest IS progress Why setbacks don’t mean failure Trusting your teachers—and your body Celebrating the tiniest victories Staying motivated through frustration Building strength, one step at a time
🖤 For every adult clarinetist who’s ever wondered, “Is it supposed to be this hard?”—this one’s for you. 👉 Hit play and let’s reframe how we think about learning and growth!
Jazz vs Classical Clarinet: How One Teacher Shaped Two Totally Different Sounds
Monday, June 23, 2025 • Duration 01:15:36
What if two clarinetists learned from the same master teacher, but ended up sounding completely different? In this episode, I talk with my friend of 33 years, Evan Christopher, about our shared roots under clarinetist Gary Bovyer and how we each took that foundational training in radically different directions. We discuss the role of genre, artistic choices, and how musical identity is shaped over time. Whether you're a player, a teacher, or just a curious listener, this conversation will give you insight into how clarinetists build their sound, and why there’s no one right way to go with it.
My links:https://linktr.ee/theclarinetninja
Evan: https://www.clarinetroad.com/
Clarinet, Crisis, and Change: How a Blood Clot Reshaped My Playing—and My Life
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 • Duration 19:45
We often think progress on the clarinet comes from focused effort—hours of practice, carefully chosen reeds, and targeted exercises. But sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs begin somewhere completely unexpected. On June 11, 2003, I had blood clots in my brain. I didn’t know it at the time, but that medical emergency would become one of the most defining moments of both my life and my clarinet playing. In this episode, I share how surviving that event forced me to rethink everything—from how I approached my career to how I understood discomfort, identity, and growth. And I draw direct lines between those lessons and the clarinet: how real improvement often starts with disruption. When you change your voicing, your tonguing reacts. When you focus on articulation, your tone may fall apart—at first. But within that mess is the seed of real transformation. Whether you’re navigating a personal challenge or just wrestling with your air support or articulation, this episode reframes discomfort as a necessary—and powerful—tool for musical growth. Sometimes the biggest changes in your playing start with the things you never asked for.
