All Episodes
Episodes
Ear First: From Rhapsody in Blue to Buddy DeFranco and Bird | Ron Odrich, Pt. 3
Ron Odrich didn't start the clarinet the way most people do. As a kid, he snuck the clarinet off the stand in his father's house (his dad was a professional doubler), soaked the reed, and taught himself the opening...
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Remembering Ken Peplowski: Anat Cohen, Paquito D'Rivera & Evan Christopher on a Jazz Giant's Life and Final Night
On February 2, 2026, Ken Peplowski played his last notes aboard The Jazz Cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. He was 66 years old, he was in the middle of a comeback, and by all accounts he sounded extraordinary.
The next...
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Virginia MacDonald: Forging a New Voice for Jazz Clarinet
What does it take to build a career on an instrument that modern jazz largely left behind?
Virginia MacDonald grew up the daughter of one of Canada's most celebrated jazz saxophonists - sitting in smoky Toronto clubs...
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Clarinetfest 2026: Why you can't miss this year
What is ClarinetFest, and is it actually worth going to? In this episode, Jay sits down with ICA President Cathy Wood, ICA Executive Director Jessica Harrie, and Enthusiast Committee co-chair Josh Goo to answer...
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Stop Blowing Your Clarinet (A Periodontist Explains What to Do Instead)
What does this periodontist know about clarinet tone that your teacher never told you? As it turns out: a lot.
Ron Odrich spent 40 years looking inside the mouths of wind instrument players as a practicing...
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He Studied With the Greatest Classical Clarinet Teachers and Played Jazz With the Best | Dr. Ron Odrich Ep. 1
In this episode of the Clarinet Ninja Podcast, host Jay Hasler sits down with Dr. Ron Odrich for the first of a four-part conversation that every clarinet player needs to hear.
Dr. Odrich is one of the most uniquely...
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Support vs. Volume: The Key to Better Clarinet Playing with David Sapadin
Welcome to the Clarinet Ninja Podcast!
In this episode, Jay sits down with longtime friend and accomplished clarinetist Dave Sapadin for a deep dive into the journey of becoming your own player. Dave shares his...
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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...
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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...
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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 PDF
In this episode, I break down the two essential types of...
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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...
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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...
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