Janek Gwizdala Podcast
Dive deep into the music universe with the podcast that unveils the journey of one of the most influential bass players in the music industry – Janek Gwizdala. Designed for bass enthusiasts and musicians alike, each episode is a sonic exploration into the world of groove, gear. technique, and artistic evolution.
Janek Gwizdala, renowned for his mastery of the bass, shares his life's narrative – from the early days as a budding musician to his current status as a sought-after sideman and solo artist. Whether you're a seasoned bassist or simply appreciate the magic of live music, join us as we unravel the layers of Janek's experiences, revealing the secrets behind his signature sound.
Expect in-depth conversations with Janek and special guests, offering unique perspectives on music, composition, and the art of creating an unforgettable groove. Explore the challenges and triumphs of a professional bass player, gain insights into the creative process, and discover the stories behind some of Janek's most iconic performances.
Whether you're looking for inspiration for your own musical journey or simply want to bask in the rich tones of the bass, "The Janek Gwizdala Podcast" is your backstage pass to the world of bass and music.
Subscribe now for an intimate look at the life and legacy of Janek Gwizdala's bass-centric career.
janekgwizdala.substack.com
Why You Must Play In All-12-Keys
2023-03-06 16:05:00
This is something I’m very grateful to my early mentors in music for stressing the importance of to me. My biggest early bass influences Laurence Cottle, Phil Mulford and Geoff Gascoyne all had this skill together in a multitude of styles, and that rubbed off on me from day one. This episode takes a look at using the cycle of fourths, the circle of fifths, half steps, whole steps, and even Giant Steps to cover the full range of your instrument and build confidence in any key, anywhere on the neck. Don’t forget that the pre-sale for my new album, and possibly one of the most ambitious recording projects I’ve ever embarked on, is now live at my website. Thank you in advance for all your support, and I can’t wait to bring you more frequent updates on the progress of the project as the recording dates in Argentina approach this August. Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
This is something I’m very grateful to my early mentors in music for stressing the importance of to me. My biggest early bass influences Laurence Cottle, Phil Mulford and Geoff Gascoyne all had this skill together in a multitude of styles, and that rubbed off on me from day one.
This episode takes a look at using the cycle of fourths, the circle of fifths, half steps, whole steps, and even Giant Steps to cover the full range of your instrument and build confidence in any key, anywhere on the neck.
Don’t forget that the pre-sale for my new album, and possibly one of the most ambitious recording projects I’ve ever embarked on, is now live at my website.
Thank you in advance for all your support, and I can’t wait to bring you more frequent updates on the progress of the project as the recording dates in Argentina approach this August.
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Markus Reuter Interview
2023-02-27 16:05:00
It is impossible to cover what makes Markus who he is in a few short sentences. I’ll let you check out his Wikipedia page for the interesting read that is his life story. This interview could have easily gone three more hours, and I’m glad to have made what I think will be the first installment of many chats on the couch with this incredibly interesting, educated, and thoughtful musician. As always there is a video version of the interview on YouTube, and if you dare to enter the rabbit hole that is Markus’ discography, make sure you have some serious time to set aside. It is vast, thought provoking, emotional, and innovative, and it really doesn’t matter what you start. Cheers, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
It is impossible to cover what makes Markus who he is in a few short sentences. I’ll let you check out his Wikipedia page for the interesting read that is his life story.
This interview could have easily gone three more hours, and I’m glad to have made what I think will be the first installment of many chats on the couch with this incredibly interesting, educated, and thoughtful musician.
As always there is a video version of the interview on YouTube, and if you dare to enter the rabbit hole that is Markus’ discography, make sure you have some serious time to set aside. It is vast, thought provoking, emotional, and innovative, and it really doesn’t matter what you start.
Cheers,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Should You Write Out Your Transcriptions?
2023-02-19 18:00:00
Thank you for all the feedback on YouTube, and most importantly for all your questions. They vary from the always-asked, to the never-even-thought-about-that, and they all get me thinking! From three finger technique on your picking hand, to the dos and don’ts of transcription and learning musical vocabulary of any style, your questions are much appreciated and fun to answer, so please keep them coming in the YouTube comments below each episode’s video version. And don’t forget, I’m really putting my foot to the floor on this mission to get to 100k subscribers on my main YouTube channel by the end of February, so if you have a second to SUBSCRIBE , it’s free and would be much appreciated. The wheels are turning behind the scenes here with concerts planned all over the world, and I can’t wait to present new projects to you in person. Cheers, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Thank you for all the feedback on YouTube, and most importantly for all your questions. They vary from the always-asked, to the never-even-thought-about-that, and they all get me thinking!
From three finger technique on your picking hand, to the dos and don’ts of transcription and learning musical vocabulary of any style, your questions are much appreciated and fun to answer, so please keep them coming in the YouTube comments below each episode’s video version.
And don’t forget, I’m really putting my foot to the floor on this mission to get to 100k subscribers on my main YouTube channel by the end of February, so if you have a second to SUBSCRIBE, it’s free and would be much appreciated.
The wheels are turning behind the scenes here with concerts planned all over the world, and I can’t wait to present new projects to you in person.
Cheers,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Giant Steps For Bass
2023-02-12 18:00:00
Taking Giant Steps as an exercise and stripping away the stigma and general pissing contest that comes with playing it, can really help turn it into one of the most useful vocabulary-expanders no matter what level of musician you are. It has ii-V-I’s, key centers based off an augmented triad, and a whole lot more when you take a deeper look into it. As I put the finishing touches on a new book base around these chord changes, I get into how I use it as a practice tool in this episode. Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Taking Giant Steps as an exercise and stripping away the stigma and general pissing contest that comes with playing it, can really help turn it into one of the most useful vocabulary-expanders no matter what level of musician you are.
It has ii-V-I’s, key centers based off an augmented triad, and a whole lot more when you take a deeper look into it. As I put the finishing touches on a new book base around these chord changes, I get into how I use it as a practice tool in this episode.
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
My Favorite 4-String Bass...?
2023-02-05 18:00:00
The Henrik Linder 4-string Mattisson is one of the gems of my collection, and something I’m playing more and more these days when I need some discipline in the fundamentals for my practice routine. This episode includes a little playing with Henrik’s spectacular prototype studio bass, a look at the ins and outs of making money in the music business, and how we shouldn’t been ashamed of success. Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
The Henrik Linder 4-string Mattisson is one of the gems of my collection, and something I’m playing more and more these days when I need some discipline in the fundamentals for my practice routine.
This episode includes a little playing with Henrik’s spectacular prototype studio bass, a look at the ins and outs of making money in the music business, and how we shouldn’t been ashamed of success.
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
I'm Not Crowd-Funding A Wal Bass
2023-01-29 18:05:00
Hey cats, I'm psyched to bring you my latest podcast episode. Now, I know what you're thinking, 'Janek, are you finally crowd funding the purchase of that Wal Bass you've been drooling over?' and let me tell you, simply put, no. But, I do have a goal that I'm working towards, and that's hitting one million subscribers on YouTube. Why, you ask? So I can bring my music to all corners of the world, that's why. But enough about my dreams and goals, let's get down to business. This episode has some fender P bass, an in-depth breakdown of how the signature instrument business works, and a LOT of reactions to comments from the latest video I posted on my main channel. ⬇️ Check out this podcast episode on the new Janek Gwizdala Podcast YouTube channel: If you dig what you’re hearing and seeing, be sure to subscribe to the channel. Thanks, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Hey cats, I'm psyched to bring you my latest podcast episode. Now, I know what you're thinking, 'Janek, are you finally crowd funding the purchase of that Wal Bass you've been drooling over?' and let me tell you, simply put, no. But, I do have a goal that I'm working towards, and that's hitting one million subscribers on YouTube. Why, you ask? So I can bring my music to all corners of the world, that's why. But enough about my dreams and goals, let's get down to business. This episode has some fender P bass, an in-depth breakdown of how the signature instrument business works, and a LOT of reactions to comments from the latest video I posted on my main channel. ⬇️
Check out this podcast episode on the new Janek Gwizdala Podcast YouTube channel:
If you dig what you’re hearing and seeing, be sure to subscribe to the channel.
Thanks,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
One For The Harmony Nerds
2023-01-22 18:15:00
It’s cosy on the couch with a bass for this episode as I continue to transform the studio and make different sets for each outlet of the substack and youtube channel that gets published every week. A quick health progress report for anyone following along with the year’s mission of looking forward 30-40 years that I started 2023 with, and I answer some questions that have arisen as a result of this new push to grow the main YouTube channel to help facilitate more touring and recording as an artist. As part of that video re-boot, I’ve actually launched two additional channels to help keep each part of my artistic output focused. There’s the Podcast Channel where you can see the video version of this podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFMyKm2jBCZ0bZUyIvv8dKA There is also a new “Clips” channel for highlights, and slightly shorter-form videos that don’t make sense to be on the main channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvoj9YUz4XB_2Dxqu2nzU9g Thank you all for supporting the podcast, the substack, and the new surge to bigger things with YouTube, touring, recording and beyond. Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
It’s cosy on the couch with a bass for this episode as I continue to transform the studio and make different sets for each outlet of the substack and youtube channel that gets published every week.
A quick health progress report for anyone following along with the year’s mission of looking forward 30-40 years that I started 2023 with, and I answer some questions that have arisen as a result of this new push to grow the main YouTube channel to help facilitate more touring and recording as an artist.
As part of that video re-boot, I’ve actually launched two additional channels to help keep each part of my artistic output focused.
There’s the Podcast Channel where you can see the video version of this podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFMyKm2jBCZ0bZUyIvv8dKA
There is also a new “Clips” channel for highlights, and slightly shorter-form videos that don’t make sense to be on the main channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvoj9YUz4XB_2Dxqu2nzU9g
Thank you all for supporting the podcast, the substack, and the new surge to bigger things with YouTube, touring, recording and beyond.
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
My Wife Gets Her Dream Gig In Music
2023-01-15 18:03:00
I’m super proud of the work Chelsea has been doing since May of last year in her new dream job in music. We take a look at a line of work you might not have considered in the music business, and reveal what a literal life-long journey this has been in the making. I’m also really excited to be uploading this as the first video made specifically for my new YouTube podcast channel. In the interests of hitting my goal of 100,000 subscribers on the main channel by April, and onwards to a million, I’m opening dedicated channels for different areas of my creative output to better serve the specific audiences for each of them, and work the YouTube machine to my advantage for a change. For all you podcast fans, the podcast channel is where long-form content like this is going to live. Like Comment and Subscribe on the new podcast channel and help us grow this one and expand our shows. We’re bringing back seasons of Two Bass Hit, Interviews, The Practice Room, and of course continuing to make regular episodes of The Janek Gwizdala Podcast. Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
I’m super proud of the work Chelsea has been doing since May of last year in her new dream job in music.
We take a look at a line of work you might not have considered in the music business, and reveal what a literal life-long journey this has been in the making.
I’m also really excited to be uploading this as the first video made specifically for my new YouTube podcast channel. In the interests of hitting my goal of 100,000 subscribers on the main channel by April, and onwards to a million, I’m opening dedicated channels for different areas of my creative output to better serve the specific audiences for each of them, and work the YouTube machine to my advantage for a change.
For all you podcast fans, the podcast channel is where long-form content like this is going to live.
Like Comment and Subscribe on the new podcast channel and help us grow this one and expand our shows. We’re bringing back seasons of Two Bass Hit, Interviews, The Practice Room, and of course continuing to make regular episodes of The Janek Gwizdala Podcast.
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Time Management For Musicians And Parents
2023-01-08 18:00:00
Having started out 2023 with a new health, fitness, nutrition, and work routine, I’m able to report in on what that first week of change looks like, and what managing my time as both a parent and a musician looks like. Also in this episode are some insights into what 2023 is going to look like for me, with the beginning stages of a major project in the works for the summer. If you have a few seconds, please head over to the YouTube channel to subscribe. A big part of how successful this year’s touring is with my trio, will depend on actively growing the audience and the community of fans around the world with the help of YouTube. It’s free, and if you really hate what I post there, it’s quite easy to unsubscribe. Thank you as always for all your support, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Having started out 2023 with a new health, fitness, nutrition, and work routine, I’m able to report in on what that first week of change looks like, and what managing my time as both a parent and a musician looks like.
Also in this episode are some insights into what 2023 is going to look like for me, with the beginning stages of a major project in the works for the summer.
If you have a few seconds, please head over to the YouTube channel to subscribe. A big part of how successful this year’s touring is with my trio, will depend on actively growing the audience and the community of fans around the world with the help of YouTube. It’s free, and if you really hate what I post there, it’s quite easy to unsubscribe.
Thank you as always for all your support,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Planning For Life In My 80's | Health & Fitness As A Musician
2023-01-02 18:00:00
If you haven’t read yesterday’s post yet, I recommend checking it out to give today’s podcast some context. I was really happy to get to speak to my friend and nutrition expert Jeff Rosthchild in this episode. He messaged me about yesterday’s post so I asked him last-minute if he had a little time to be a guest on the podcast, and weigh-in on some details about my change of protocols as I think about later life and old age, as well as give advice for musicians in general no matter what your goals might be. Jeff has helped me not only with nutrition and data related to my health and fitness levels, but also with mitigating the effects of jet lag when touring. I can now basically be rid of any jet lag within a day of arriving somewhere thanks to these basic principles. The long and the short of it, for me at least, has been to create good habits and educate myself about what is right for my body, my lifestyle, and my long-term goals. I hope that sharing some of the things I’m adapting in my life right now as regards to health and fitness can help some of you out with your journey. The Practice Room is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
If you haven’t read yesterday’s post yet, I recommend checking it out to give today’s podcast some context.
I was really happy to get to speak to my friend and nutrition expert Jeff Rosthchild in this episode. He messaged me about yesterday’s post so I asked him last-minute if he had a little time to be a guest on the podcast, and weigh-in on some details about my change of protocols as I think about later life and old age, as well as give advice for musicians in general no matter what your goals might be.
Jeff has helped me not only with nutrition and data related to my health and fitness levels, but also with mitigating the effects of jet lag when touring. I can now basically be rid of any jet lag within a day of arriving somewhere thanks to these basic principles.
The long and the short of it, for me at least, has been to create good habits and educate myself about what is right for my body, my lifestyle, and my long-term goals. I hope that sharing some of the things I’m adapting in my life right now as regards to health and fitness can help some of you out with your journey.
The Practice Room is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe