TheĀ Clarinet Ninja Blog
Education, Inspiration, Results
Support vs. Volume: The Most Misunderstood Concept in Clarinet Playing
Ā Insights from my conversation with educator Dave Sapadin
If you've ever been told to "use more air" and ended up just playing ...
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If you're frustrated that you haven't made the progress you set out to make with your clarinet playing, let's change that for 2026. The problem isn't you. You're not broken. You're just in the wron...
Introduction
This is my first holiday season without my mom. She passed away earlier this year, and I've been navigating what that means, especially during this time when memories feel heaviest and m...
Practice Practice vs Practice Performance: The Two Types of Practice Every Clarinetist Needs
Reading time: 12 minutes
Have you ever practiced diligently, felt confident about your abilities, and the...
Making Clarinet Practice Work: Specific Strategies from Dr. Molly Gebrian (Part 2)
Last week I shared the first part of my conversation with Dr. Molly Gebrian, violist, neuroscientist, and author of ...
I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Larry Guy, a clarinetist whose career spans Broadway, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, and the Joffrey Ballet. But what makes Larry ...
The Neuroscience of Smarter Clarinet Practice: My Conversation with Dr. Molly Gebrian
I've read a lot of books about music and practice over the years. Maybe three have genuinely blown me away. Dr. M...
Brad Behn vs Vandoren BD4: The Overtone Difference That Changed My Sound
After years of playing the Vandoren BD4, I made the switch to a Brad Behn handmade mouthpiece over a year ago. The difference?...
Smart Clarinet Shopping: Expert Gear Advice at Every Budget (feat. Josh Goo & Lynne Snyder)
What should you actually buy to improve your clarinet playing? Two professional clarinetists reveal their s...
The Ultimate Clarinet Upgrade Guide: What's Actually Worth Your Money?
Transform your playing without breaking the bankā€”proven accessories from pro clarinetists
The $500 Question Every Clarinetist A...
How to Build a Clarinet Practice Routine That Actually Works: Why Purposeless Repetition Sabotages Your Progress
Every clarinetist has experienced this: hours in the practice room, yet come performan...
Julian Bliss on Big-Orchestra Bravery, Aho & Lindberg, and Why Slow Practice Wins
What happens when a world-class clarinetist leans into the roar of a huge orchestra and a score that asks for tremolo...
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