The Clarinet Ninja Podcast: Clarinet Lessons & Practice Tips
The Clarinet Ninja Podcast: Clarinet Lessons & Practice Tips
Jay Hassler

The Clarinet Ninja Podcast: Clarinet Lessons & Practice Tips

MusicSelf-ImprovementArtsEnglish
The Clarinet Ninja Podcast teaches adult clarinet players how to learn faster and play better using science-based practice methods. Host Jay Hassler brings you interviews with world-class clarinetists like Ricardo Morales (Philadelphia Orchestra), Dr. Molly Gebrian (neuroscientist and author), and master craftsmen like Brad Behn. Whether you're just starting clarinet, returning after years away, or looking to refine your skills, you'll get proven practice techniques, equipment advice, and inspiration from the pros. Perfect for adult learners who want to improve their clarinet playing efficiently.
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Stuck in Your Clarinet Playing? Here's What's Really Holding You Back
05 January 2026

Stuck in Your Clarinet Playing? Here's What's Really Holding You Back

If you've been frustrated with your clarinet progress, this episode will change everything.The problem isn't that you're not talented enough. The problem isn't that you don't practice enough. The problem is your environment.In this episode, I break down the exact framework for designing an internal environment where improvement becomes inevitable, not aspirational.You'll discover: - Why...
Playing Clarinet with My 11-Year-Old Self: A Story About Music, Memory, and Loss
22 December 2025

Playing Clarinet with My 11-Year-Old Self: A Story About Music, Memory, and Loss

This is my first holiday season without my mom.While going through old recordings after her passing, I found something that stopped me in my tracks: a recording of me at 11 years old playing "The Christmas Song" on clarinet, with my mom accompanying on piano.It was a fifth grade band holiday concert. Fifth-grade me squeaking through phrases, my mom patiently at the piano, both of us creating...
The Two Types of Practice That Transform Your Clarinet Performances
02 December 2025

The Two Types of Practice That Transform Your Clarinet Performances

Have you ever practiced diligently but struggled in performance? The problem isn't your playing—it's that you're only doing half the practice you need.Free PDFIn this episode, I break down the two essential types of practice every clarinetist needs: Practice Practice (building skills) and Practice Performance (accessing those skills under pressure). Most players focus entirely on the first while...
Clarinet Embouchure & Articulation with Larry Guy| Adult Clarinet Players NEED This
17 November 2025

Clarinet Embouchure & Articulation with Larry Guy| Adult Clarinet Players NEED This

Larry Guy has played on Broadway, with the New York Philharmonic, NYC Opera, and as principal clarinet of the Joffrey Ballet. But what makes this conversation truly valuable is Larry's incredible body of pedagogical work—books on embouchure, articulation, and definitive editions of the Rose 32 Etudes and Complete Daniel Bonade works.In this episode, Larry reveals why traditional embouchure...
Clarinet Gear Guide Part 2: What Equipment to Buy at Every Budget with Josh Goo & Lynne Snyder | Part 2
03 November 2025

Clarinet Gear Guide Part 2: What Equipment to Buy at Every Budget with Josh Goo & Lynne Snyder | Part 2

What clarinet equipment should you actually buy? Join Jay Hassler in this comprehensive clarinet gear guide with Quick Start Clarinet's Josh Goo and Queen Reed's Lynne Snyder as they reveal what to invest in at every budget level.🎵 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:✅ Best clarinet equipment for a few hundred dollars (and it's not what you think!)✅ Clarinet case comparison: Bam vs. Pro-Tech vs. Marcus Bona✅ When...
Clarinet Upgrades for Beginners: Best Budget Equipment (Part 1 with Josh Goo & Lynne Snyder)
27 October 2025

Clarinet Upgrades for Beginners: Best Budget Equipment (Part 1 with Josh Goo & Lynne Snyder)

Ever wondered what clarinet accessories are actually worth your hard-earned money? In this game-changing episode, Clarinet Ninja host Jay Hasler sits down with two clarinet powerhouses: Josh Goo from Quick Start Clarinet and Lynne Snyder (aka Queen Reed) to decode the mystery of clarinet upgrades.Clarinet NInja Amazon Store - No extra cost to you...but a great way to support the podcast!Clarinet...
Julian Bliss Interview: Recording Lindberg & Aho Clarinet Concertos
13 October 2025

Julian Bliss Interview: Recording Lindberg & Aho Clarinet Concertos

What does it take to record two groundbreaking clarinet concertos?Join us as we dive deep into Julian Bliss's extraordinary new album featuring the clarinet concertos of Magnus Lindberg and Kalevi Aho—two of today's most compelling contemporary composers. In this episode, we explore:✨ The technical and artistic challenges of these modern masterworks🎵 What makes Lindberg and Aho's compositions so...
James Danderfer — If Not Now: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet & The Van Gelder Sound
29 September 2025

James Danderfer — If Not Now: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet & The Van Gelder Sound

Clarinetist/composer James Danderfer joins Jay to premiere his new album If Not Now (Celler Records), recorded at the storied Rudy Van Gelder Studio.They dive into choosing clarinet vs. bass clarinet, arranging for a 7-piece band with three horns and vibes, the balance between classical sound concept and modern jazz feel, plus practical gear talk (Hawkins mouthpieces, Legère reeds, Selmer...
Bass Clarinet in Jazz: Interview with Todd Marcus
18 September 2025

Bass Clarinet in Jazz: Interview with Todd Marcus

In this episode we explore how bass clarinet artistry and community work can inform each other. Todd shares how he writes from the life around him, why giving the bass clarinet a leadership role matters, and what adult learners can borrow for tone, time feel, and phrasing.The through line is simple. People are multifaceted. Music can help you become the whole person you want to...
Inside "New Picture": Hidden Lessons from David Gould on Bass Clarinet
03 September 2025

Inside "New Picture": Hidden Lessons from David Gould on Bass Clarinet

David Gould shares the story behind New Picture, his new bass clarinet recording. We explore how the album took shape, working closely with composers, lessons from his study with David Weber and Philippe Cuper, the transition from Bb to bass clarinet, and practical insights on mouthpieces and reeds. In this episode:• How the concept of New Picture became a finished album• Collaborative approaches...