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
1 Hour of "Flow State" Practice
2022-12-30 18:05:00
Today was a great day in that I got to spend three separate periods of time with my instrument. This is all good news in my quest for more consistency in my routine as I prepare to be back onstage again after the holidays. With just the idea of playing Pat Metheny’s “Soul Cowboy” blues head and seeing where it takes me, I manage to get almost an hour of solid practice in, and take breaks periodically to discuss what I’m thinking, and how I might adjust my approach in realtime to get more out of the session. 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
Today was a great day in that I got to spend three separate periods of time with my instrument. This is all good news in my quest for more consistency in my routine as I prepare to be back onstage again after the holidays.
With just the idea of playing Pat Metheny’s “Soul Cowboy” blues head and seeing where it takes me, I manage to get almost an hour of solid practice in, and take breaks periodically to discuss what I’m thinking, and how I might adjust my approach in realtime to get more out of the session.
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
How To Recover Technique After Time Off
2022-12-24 18:00:00
Having been off the radar for a few days first with a finger injury where I cut myself with a razor, and then with a bout of food poisoning, I’m happy to be back with the bass and back making the podcast. This holiday edition takes a look at how I come back from unexpected setbacks like this, and manage to keep working on my playing through the holidays in order to be ready for gigs early in the new year. I’m also happy to announce that we have gift cards at the store for the first time ever! If you’re looking for that last minute bass-related gift, these make the perfect present for a low-end fan. You can also get 22% off everything in the store this holiday season when you use the code ENDOF22 at checkout. Happy holidays, enjoy the episode, and I’ll be back with more fun stuff next week! Janek 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
Having been off the radar for a few days first with a finger injury where I cut myself with a razor, and then with a bout of food poisoning, I’m happy to be back with the bass and back making the podcast.
This holiday edition takes a look at how I come back from unexpected setbacks like this, and manage to keep working on my playing through the holidays in order to be ready for gigs early in the new year.
I’m also happy to announce that we have gift cards at the store for the first time ever! If you’re looking for that last minute bass-related gift, these make the perfect present for a low-end fan. You can also get 22% off everything in the store this holiday season when you use the code ENDOF22 at checkout.
Happy holidays, enjoy the episode, and I’ll be back with more fun stuff next week!
Janek
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
How Much Should You Practice?
2022-12-16 23:09:54
My practice time is an always-elastic period of time during the day that I’m constantly trying to improve the productivity of. Everyone’s goals for the time we spend with our instruments are going to be different, but there are some common threads, no matter what your goals, that I think are important to understand and build upon when it comes to your learning process. Make sure you check out the sheet music and tab at the bottom of this post of the exercises I highlighted in today’s routine. This episode looks at: * How to work around real life and be consistent in your practice * How to practice anytime without your instrument * When you should commit to the art no matter what vs when to have a day job * The insane amount of “extra” time I now have after eradicating social media * What just 20 minutes a day can do for you if you do it every day * That it’s okay if you find you’re not as committed to the process as you thought you were * You can’t just skate by with fake-guru/mindset-only frameworks. At some point, you simply have to commit to the work Janek. 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
My practice time is an always-elastic period of time during the day that I’m constantly trying to improve the productivity of. Everyone’s goals for the time we spend with our instruments are going to be different, but there are some common threads, no matter what your goals, that I think are important to understand and build upon when it comes to your learning process.
Make sure you check out the sheet music and tab at the bottom of this post of the exercises I highlighted in today’s routine.
This episode looks at:
* How to work around real life and be consistent in your practice
* How to practice anytime without your instrument
* When you should commit to the art no matter what vs when to have a day job
* The insane amount of “extra” time I now have after eradicating social media
* What just 20 minutes a day can do for you if you do it every day
* That it’s okay if you find you’re not as committed to the process as you thought you were
* You can’t just skate by with fake-guru/mindset-only frameworks. At some point, you simply have to commit to the work
Janek.
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
The Musician's Retirement Plan.
2022-12-08 17:37:08
It’s incredibly interesting to look at how our heroes plotted their careers and their lives out. As I get into middle-age, I think more and more about what is to come in the next 20-30 years, and what I can do to better prepare myself for a healthy and productive old-age. Meeting Mike Mainieri this week while recording on Steve Smith’s new album really got me motivated to never stop pursuing what I love about music, and I touch on elements of that in this episode. I also announce our book giveaway winner: John W! If you’re reading or listening John, please drop us a line at www.janekgwizdala.com with the subject “giveaway winner” and we’ll get your books off to you right away! I would also love everyone’s feedback on something I mentioned in the podcast today: Doing an episode on musicians and their health. I’ve been working hard on that myself, and if people want to hear about it, I’m more than happy to share. If you have specific question, leave them below, and I’ll do my best to include answers in the episode. Janek 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
It’s incredibly interesting to look at how our heroes plotted their careers and their lives out. As I get into middle-age, I think more and more about what is to come in the next 20-30 years, and what I can do to better prepare myself for a healthy and productive old-age.
Meeting Mike Mainieri this week while recording on Steve Smith’s new album really got me motivated to never stop pursuing what I love about music, and I touch on elements of that in this episode.
I also announce our book giveaway winner: John W! If you’re reading or listening John, please drop us a line at www.janekgwizdala.com with the subject “giveaway winner” and we’ll get your books off to you right away!
I would also love everyone’s feedback on something I mentioned in the podcast today: Doing an episode on musicians and their health. I’ve been working hard on that myself, and if people want to hear about it, I’m more than happy to share. If you have specific question, leave them below, and I’ll do my best to include answers in the episode.
Janek
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
How I Learn Difficult Music
2022-11-28 18:00:00
As an important and challenging record date in New York approaches, I’m sharing my process of learning difficult material under less than optimal conditions. Gone are the days of limitless amounts of time to luxuriate in, and I’ve been working on adapting to this new life as a dad, a husband, a small business owner, and bass player all rolled into the same 24 hours a day when I used to have with only one of these titles. I’ll share progress from the studio with you this week, and let you know what my studio setup ends up being in terms of the signal chain, and how the session develop of this rare opportunity to spend 5 whole days cutting an instrumental album. For anyone in NYC, I’ll be at the Bitter End with a trio featuring Cliff Almond and Nir Felder on November 30th at 9:30pm. You can get tickets HERE! To close out our mega Black Friday Sale weekend, there are just a few hours of Cyber Monday left to take advantage of massive discounts at our store , and at the Bass Studio. Use promo code LIFETIME350 to get $350 off lifetime Bass Studio Memberships. Like I said in the podcast, I’m doing a giveaway of three physical books for Cyber Monday. Bass Player’s guide to Pentatonics, Altered, and Site Reading. All three, for free, and I’ll ship them anywhere in the world. All you have to do is comment below with your favorite bass player and song, and you’re automatically entered to win. Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
As an important and challenging record date in New York approaches, I’m sharing my process of learning difficult material under less than optimal conditions. Gone are the days of limitless amounts of time to luxuriate in, and I’ve been working on adapting to this new life as a dad, a husband, a small business owner, and bass player all rolled into the same 24 hours a day when I used to have with only one of these titles.
I’ll share progress from the studio with you this week, and let you know what my studio setup ends up being in terms of the signal chain, and how the session develop of this rare opportunity to spend 5 whole days cutting an instrumental album.
For anyone in NYC, I’ll be at the Bitter End with a trio featuring Cliff Almond and Nir Felder on November 30th at 9:30pm. You can get tickets HERE!
To close out our mega Black Friday Sale weekend, there are just a few hours of Cyber Monday left to take advantage of massive discounts at our store, and at the Bass Studio. Use promo code LIFETIME350 to get $350 off lifetime Bass Studio Memberships.
Like I said in the podcast, I’m doing a giveaway of three physical books for Cyber Monday. Bass Player’s guide to Pentatonics, Altered, and Site Reading. All three, for free, and I’ll ship them anywhere in the world. All you have to do is comment below with your favorite bass player and song, and you’re automatically entered to win.
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
What is Substack, and why am I here?
2022-11-24 05:45:35
I know this week has been super heavy on email traffic from me as I not only launch this new blogging and podcast venture on substack, but also let you guys know about our huge Black Friday sale going on right now. It’s going to quieten down and be better and more consistently paced, just as soon as I figure out what that pace is. It would really help me if you leave feedback in the comments below on substack, and I hope you enjoy this episode. Tickets for the upcoming NYC trio show on November 30th are HERE Our huge Black Friday Sale is HERE Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
I know this week has been super heavy on email traffic from me as I not only launch this new blogging and podcast venture on substack, but also let you guys know about our huge Black Friday sale going on right now.
It’s going to quieten down and be better and more consistently paced, just as soon as I figure out what that pace is.
It would really help me if you leave feedback in the comments below on substack, and I hope you enjoy this episode.
Tickets for the upcoming NYC trio show on November 30th are HERE
Our huge Black Friday Sale is HERE
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
How Much Do You Want To Make On A Gig?
2022-11-08 07:45:47
Money is always a hard topic to talk about when it comes to making a request for a fee as a band leader. But so many things go into informing that request that are rarely talked about. This episode deals with the long list of items I recently discussed with my new agent as we plan touring for my trio in 2023. Watch the new documentary "One Way Out" Tickets for my upcoming show in NYC with Nir Felder and Cliff Almond on November 30th 2022 ARE HERE Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Money is always a hard topic to talk about when it comes to making a request for a fee as a band leader. But so many things go into informing that request that are rarely talked about. This episode deals with the long list of items I recently discussed with my new agent as we plan touring for my trio in 2023.
Watch the new documentary "One Way Out"
Tickets for my upcoming show in NYC with Nir Felder and Cliff Almond on November 30th 2022 ARE HERE
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Encores Suck
2022-10-25 07:22:44
Having put out a new album this year that was exclusively available through my website until now, I'm considering what my timeline for releasing the music and the documentary film to the general public might now look like. Join the conversation in the comments of the YouTube video I posted along with this episode. Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Having put out a new album this year that was exclusively available through my website until now, I'm considering what my timeline for releasing the music and the documentary film to the general public might now look like.
Join the conversation in the comments of the YouTube video I posted along with this episode.
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Real vs Feel | How To Improve Your Awareness
2022-10-23 20:13:51
The gap between what you feel you're doing and what you're really doing when you practice or play live can be huge. Find out where you are on that scale using some of the same techniques and methods I do to help my awareness and learning process. This episode features content you can find in the LIVE ARCHIVE at Janek's Bass Studio. For all other books, music, and learning material please visit our BOOKSTORE. Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
The gap between what you feel you're doing and what you're really doing when you practice or play live can be huge. Find out where you are on that scale using some of the same techniques and methods I do to help my awareness and learning process.
This episode features content you can find in the LIVE ARCHIVE at Janek's Bass Studio.
For all other books, music, and learning material please visit our BOOKSTORE.
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Getting An Agent/Manager | A Career-First
2022-09-12 04:10:50
We're starting out on a trial basis, and have a few realistic short-term goals to increase the visibility of the new trio, my music as an artist, and the amount of touring I'm able to do with the trio as a band leader. Please get involved in the conversation on my Telegram channel and give us as many country, city, venue, and festival suggestions as you possibly can. I know I've asked for that in the past, but this time we might actually be able to capitalize on some momentum I have right now plus the hands on deck that are able to facilitate offers and reaching out to venues for booking. Make your suggestions HERE! Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
We're starting out on a trial basis, and have a few realistic short-term goals to increase the visibility of the new trio, my music as an artist, and the amount of touring I'm able to do with the trio as a band leader.
Please get involved in the conversation on my Telegram channel and give us as many country, city, venue, and festival suggestions as you possibly can. I know I've asked for that in the past, but this time we might actually be able to capitalize on some momentum I have right now plus the hands on deck that are able to facilitate offers and reaching out to venues for booking.
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe