
Brad Behn Interview Part 1: From Clarinetist to Master Mouthpiece Maker
The Clarinet Ninja Podcast: Clarinet Lessons & Practice TipsShow Notes
🎶 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!
Brad Behn: https://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/
Find me: https://www.clarinetninja.com/
https://linktr.ee/theclarinetninja
Aaron Irwin: https://aaronirwin.com/
Aaron Irwin: https://aaronirwin.bandcamp.com/music
🔥 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!
Mouthpieces:
Affordable professional Bb clarinet mouthpiece:
Vandoren BD 4 https://amzn.to/3iSEmAc
Vandoren 5RV LYRE https://amzn.to/3H1mECA
Vandoren M30 https://amzn.to/3J6ExTs
Student mouthpiece:
Fobes Debut Student debut mouthpiece https://www.clarkwfobes.com/products/debut-clarinet-mouthpiece?variant=39983864774790
Brad Behn Overture mouthpiece https://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/overture-student-clarinetmouthpiece
Vandoren V12 reeds:
Vandoren Traditional (Blue box)
Reed cases:
Vandoren Hygro case Bb and Eb reeds https://amzn.to/3koZmPo
D'Addario Woodwinds Multi-Instrument Reed case https://amzn.to/3XubIVg
Rico Reed Guard Bb clarinet https://amzn.to/3J1h06d
Brad Behn Reed Cases https://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/product-page/behn-reed-case
Books all clarinetists should have:
Baermann third division https://amzn.to/3j2fTsd
Kell Staccato studies https://amzn.to/3wkLisZ
Jean Jean Vade Mecum https://amzn.to/3J9U6cO
Rose 32 etudes https://amzn.to/3J9U6cO
Rose 40 etudes https://amzn.to/3GWDwdW
Kroepsch 416 progressive studies https://amzn.to/3wj48kb
Reed equipment:
Ridenour ATG reed finishing system https://amzn.to/3XqF7zu
ReedGeek Universal G4 reed tool https://amzn.to/3HnjWZC
400 grit sandpaper https://amzn.to/3H1oof6 600 grit sandpaper https://amzn.to/3j2hiyZ
Vandoren V12 Reed Trimmer https://amzn.to/3H7K8r6
Vandoren V21 and 56 Rue Lepic https://amzn.to/3GLkC9I
Vandoren Traditional https://amzn.to/3kjMQRi
Vandoren Black Master/Black Master Traditional https://amzn.to/3HcErs1
Vandoren White Master https://amzn.to/3kl4hRz
Ligatures:
Bonade inverted silver plated https://amzn.to/3wlJdNy
Vandoren M/O ligature https://amzn.to/3XPYNNg
Vandoren Optimum Ligature https://amzn.to/3QYvOof
Rovner Mark III https://amzn.to/3J6H7ZE
Links are affiliate links - a great way to support the channel!
More from The Clarinet Ninja Podcast: Clarinet Lessons & Practice Tips
Gary Foster played on more than 500 film soundtracks and was one of the finest jazz alto players in Los Angeles.
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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 glissando from Rhapsody in Blue entirely by ear. No teacher. No sheet music. No idea what the notes were called.
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.
What does it take to build a career on an instrument that modern jazz largely left behind?