Janek Gwizdala Podcast

The Three Pillars of My Musicianship This feels like a great way to end an era of the podcast. We’re moving this weekend, the studio is being packed up, and this is the final time I’m sitting down in front of the camera here before everything moves to the new house and a completely new studio. It felt appropriate that this episode ended up being about something pretty fundamental: the three pillars that have underpinned almost everything I’ve done as a musician for the past 30 years. But I only really started thinking about them this way quite recently. While signing and packing copies of How to Transcribe this week, I noticed how many people had bought it alongside Bass Player’s Guide to Sight Reading . Sitting next to those was The Bassist’s Book of Scales and Arpeggios , and suddenly this very obvious connection appeared. Technique. Reading. Transcription. Those three things have been with me throughout my entire career. Technique Scales, arpeggios, harmony, theory and the physical facility to actually execute the ideas I hear. I’m not practicing technique because I simply want to play fast. Even after more than 30 years of playing, there are still enormous areas of my technique and musicianship I want to improve that have nothing to do with speed or trying to impress anyone. Reading Reading gives me faster access to music. And despite having done it professionally for decades, it’s not some innate ability that appeared fully formed when I pick up the bass. It’s a skill I’ve worked incredibly hard on and one I still have to maintain. So for this episode I decided to test it. I pulled out two exercises from Bass Player’s Guide to Sight Reading that I haven’t played in years, spun up the play-alongs and took a shot at reading them cold while I was filming. I also break down what’s actually going through my head while I’m reading: scanning ahead, anticipating fingerings, deciding where on the instrument to play something, thinking about tone, remembering mistakes that might need fixing after the take and — hopefully — getting comfortable enough with the notes that I can stop thinking exclusively about reading and start thinking about music . Transcription This might be the deepest pillar of all. Almost all of the vocabulary you hear when I play comes from decades of listening, transcribing, absorbing and repeating music. Transcription isn’t just about writing somebody else’s solo on a piece of paper. It’s about immersion. It’s how I’ve learned languages within music, developed vocabulary and continually found new inspiration. It’s also probably the pillar I’ve neglected the most recently, and one I want to spend more time with again. The Work Never Ends One of the things I love most about the greatest musicians I’ve been fortunate enough to know is that none of them seem to think they’ve arrived. The people whose playing seems almost impossibly developed still have lists of things they want to practice, sounds they want to explore and areas of their musicianship they want to improve. Those lists make up several lifetimes worth of work, and the common thread I’ve noticed among so many of my musical heroes isn’t simply their ability. They love the work. In This Episode * The three pillars that have shaped my musicianship * Why technique isn’t about simply playing faster * What reading music actually gives you * Why sight-reading is a skill I still actively maintain * Attempting to sight-read my own exercises years after writing them * Testing myself on a piece in 7/4 * What I’m thinking about during a professional reading session * Why one or two takes matter in the studio * Thinking about sound and phrasing while reading * How transcription develops musical vocabulary * What I want to work on next * Why great musicians never run out of things to practice * Why loving the work might be the most important part of all The Complete Bass Mastery Bundle I’ve also bundled the three books that inspired this episode together for the first time: The Bassist’s Book of Scales and Arpeggios Bass Player’s Guide to Sight Reading How to Transcribe Together, they represent these three different but interconnected areas of musicianship: technique, reading and transcription. Each book also includes its accompanying video masterclasses and play-along materials , so this is really much closer to a complete course than simply a collection of three ebooks. And with that, it’s goodbye to this studio. Thank you to everyone who has watched and listened to the podcast from this room for the past two years. The next time you see me, hopefully within the next week or two, it’ll be from the new space. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

After more than thirty years of playing, practicing, recording, and touring, I still catch myself making this one annoying mistake when it comes to my practice time. The encouraging part is that when I do catch myself doing it, it often leads to the biggest breakthroughs, or at least some semblance of direction to take my process in that feels positive. In this week’s episode I talk about a pattern I noticed in my own playing: I naturally tend to create lines and harmonic movement that descend. Not always, but often enough that it has become one of those unconscious habits that bums me out when I realize I’m doing it. For the coffee drinkers there, you’ll know I’ve been spending the past couple of years exploring Neo-Riemannian triad transformation theory, a frighteningly academic name for an incredibly elegant way of thinking about major and minor triads. Rather than feeling like I’m forcing the issue when it comes to creating a harmonic landscape to make music in, I’ve found myself becoming fascinated by how much emotion and movement can come from moving just one or two notes at a time. In this episode I work through that process in real time. There isn’t a polished lesson plan or a finished composition waiting at the end. Instead, you’ll hear exactly how I experiment, where I get stuck, how I solve problems, and how a simple practice idea gradually starts becoming music. Along the way I also talk about: * Why listening back to your own playing is one of the most valuable practice tools available. * The creative freedom that comes from recognizing repetitive habits before they become limitations. * Performing recently with Peter Erskine, John Beasley, and Bob Sheppard, and how preparation creates the confidence to truly listen on stage. * My ongoing effort to simplify my studio, part ways with hundreds of pedals, and create an environment that encourages making music instead of collecting gear. As always, thank you for spending part of your week with me. I appreciate every listen, every comment, and every thoughtful conversation these episodes continue to create. More soon, Janek P.S. With the launch of “How to Transcribe” last week, we’ve created a new digital bundle that I think serves as a comprehensive path to truly mastering the fundamentals of music and musicianship: Ear Training, Reading and Technique. Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

This week I’m delivering on a promise from the last episode: a complete walkthrough of my new stereo pedalboard. After years of touring with much larger setups, I’ve downsized to a rig that gives me incredible flexibility while still producing the huge ambient sounds I’ve been chasing for years. I break down the entire signal chain, explain why each pedal earned its place, and demonstrate how I build everything from subtle harmonic textures to massive cinematic soundscapes. Along the way I also talk about: * Why I changed from my previous touring rig * The advantages of running a stereo setup * Boutique pedals versus multi-effects units * Creating ambient loops and evolving textures * Using effects as creative tools rather than distractions * Why expensive gear isn’t always necessary to make inspiring music I also share a quick update on my new book, How to Transcribe , the recent release of Quiet Places , and the excitement (and chaos!) of preparing for a house move while getting ready for upcoming performances. Whether you’re a bassist, guitarist, producer, or simply fascinated by creative music technology, I hope this episode gives you some ideas for your own musical journey. As always, if you have questions about anything I missed, leave a comment and I’ll cover them in a future episode. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Bass players, coffee drinkers, ladies and gentlemen, the podcast is back! Full disclosure: I used chat gpt to generate the description of the podcast below based on a transcript of the episode. I’m still not sure how I feel about the whole AI thing in general, but I realized it saved me a ton of legwork today with something I’m not particularly good at (writing descriptions of things), and provides some information that might help you better understand what the episode is about and bring a little more value to you without accusing me of selling my soul to Sam Altman. I want to make it very clear that I have never used AI in the creation of music or of any of my books, and never will. That, to me, is a very clear line that should never be crossed. I would like your honest feedback on this, and to know whether youtube descriptions are a tolerable use-case for the technology since it allows me way more time to focus on practicing, playing and recording real music and video lessons to share with you all. Here goes… In this episode I catch you up on everything that's been happening, from touring with Steve Smith's Vital Information, to moving house here in Southern California, finishing my brand-new book How to Transcribe, and preparing for the release of my new live trio album Quiet Places.I also spend a good portion of the episode exploring one of the most inspiring harmonic concepts I've encountered in years: Neo-Riemannian triadic transformations. It's a simple idea built around major and minor triads, but it's completely changed the way I'm thinking about harmony, improvisation, voice leading, and creating melodic movement in my bass lines.We also talk about:• Why transcription is really about ear training• How immersion and repetition accelerate musical growth• Touring with a minimalist pedalboard setup• The Walrus Audio Mantle in real-world situations• Preparing mentally for performances with musical heroes• Building freedom through harmony instead of memorized licksIf you're interested in becoming a more musical improviser (not just learning more scales) this episode is for you.If you'd like to see a full rundown of my current touring pedalboard, leave a comment below. If enough people ask, I'll make a dedicated video. Thoughts? More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

After years of building one of the most extensive bass pedal collections imaginable, I’ve made a big decision… I’m letting almost all of it go. In this episode, I talk through why I’m selling over 200 pedals , what triggered the shift, and how simplifying my setup is already changing the way I make music. This isn’t just about gear, it’s about creativity, focus, and letting go of the “collector mindset” in favor of something much more intentional. Owning more gear doesn’t necessarily make you more creative. In fact, it can do the opposite. I reference the Generation Loss Mkii as a key component of the process. It’s about removing friction, reclaiming focus, and getting more out of less. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

The podcast returns to its own channel with a 2026 reset: a clearer lane for each part of my output so the main YouTube channel can stay focused on harmony/theory-based lessons, while the podcast and live/performance content live on their own separate channels. I outline six recording projects I'm aiming to track across the year, share a packed touring schedule (US, Japan, Europe, Asia), and talk through a more realistic approach to tour gear —from compact boards to MIDI control, flight cases, and what I actually use on gigs. In this episode Why the podcast is back on the podcast-dedicated YouTube channel The 3-lane restructure for 2026: Main channel = harmony/bass lesson content Podcast channel = long-form conversation + gear talk Clips channel = live performance, studio, behind-the-scenes The “why” behind the shift: reduce stress, increase clarity, serve each audience better The six album/projects Janek is planning to track in 2026 Touring: how the volume is increasing in 2026 and what that means with family life A candid look at saying “yes” vs “no” as a working musician, and how that advice changes by age/career stage Gear logistics: what’s realistic to fly with, compact boards, and why “small but powerful” wins on the road Compact rig idea: Walrus Mantle + HX Stomp Testing rigs on warm-up gigs before international runs New Gator / Vertex case system and a compact board build plan MIDI control with a Morningstar MC4 The honest truth: on many gigs, only a fraction of the pedalboard gets used How the harmony/triads videos unexpectedly clicked, and why that success triggered the restructure The role of Substack: the hub where people can choose what to watch/listen to Links Mentioned in the Episode - Main Channel Triad Video 0 and Triad Video 1 - Clips Channel - Podcast Channel - SBL MIchael Jackson Cover Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

The latest short run of basses with RKM, in three new colors, is here! Check out all the specs below and use the contact email at the bottom of the description to enquire about ordering one today. We also get into triads on dominants chords and a recap of the comments section of the now infamous Mantle video from a couple of weeks ago. RKM CUSTOM 5JG Collab 2Scale: 33”No. Frets: 24No. Strings: 5Distance between strings: 17mmBody wood: Mahogany selected 2 pieceNeck: Hard rock Maple w/ carbon fiber reinforcementFretboard: Birdseye maple / Gaboon Ebony (fretted / fretless)Position markers: Luminlay Side dotsPickups: Nordstrand NP5F/NP5Fa (bridge/neck)Preamp: TRICKFISH IPA 3 band 18VTuners: Hipshot Ultralite w/ Bass XtenderBridge: Hipshot Style A 17mm brassStrap buttons: Dunlop StraplokGigbag: MONO Stealth blackOptions available:Body color:Dark Green / Dark gray / Surf BlueStyle:Fretted / Fretless with reference lines / Fretless clean fretboardTuningEADGC / BEADGOrder via email here: batch2@rkmbasses.com More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

We're taking a look into the new Bass DI and preamp from Walrus audio in collaboration with Ian Martin Allison. Spoiler alert... It's a beautiful piece of gear, and the minor meltdowns about the price happening in the comments below the launch video are a little puzzling. For the most part though, the feedback is hugely supportive and positive which is both great, and greatly deserved. Hopefully this Episode gives you some perspective, some sounds, and a few things to think about when choosing the right gear for you. Besides sending me the unit to try, Walrus Audio are not a sponsor in any other way. I’m never paid for my opinion, and Walrus have no say in what I present to you. As you well know, I just like to make cool sounds with cool stuff. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Following on from our most recent discussion on the subject, I get a little deeper into the weeds on the state of streaming, the music industry as a whole, and some of the ethical decisions we face when considering how to release our music and share it with the world. I have gone back and forth on the subject for many years, and endeavor to update my thinking on it as and when the information changes. It’s currently less of a negative thing than a positive thing for what my long-term goals are as an artist, and that’s what I get deeper into detail about in this episode. Far more so than the latest article published in my newsletter. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

To close out the year I’m counting down my top ten YouTube shorts for 2025 and revealing all the numbers from both 2024 and 2025 for comparison. It won’t buy me any beachfront property, but it’s not all doom and gloom, and it doesn’t signal the end by any stretch of the imagination. Don’t forget, that for the next 24hrs only, the entire store is on a 20% holiday sale, with all discounts added automatically at checkout. See you in 2026! Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Looking back on two emotional weeks on the road with Mike Stern's band featuring Dennis Chambers on drums. I'm diving deep into how the new pedalboard held up on tour, how the past creeps into my present sometimes, and what the future holds. More soon, Janek Our year-end holiday sale is now on! Get 20% off storewide with discounts added automatically at checkout: https://janekgwizdala.myshopify.com/ Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

I can’t believe I haven’t utilized this function on any of the pedals or amps I’ve owned. I’ve been getting so deep into the clean signal of my bass lately, especially with the addition of the Wetter Box from GigRig, and this week’s episode of the podcast takes a look at the latest mission to clean up the signal chain even more! More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

With a rare trio gig tonight that doesn’t have a chordal instrument besides me in the band, I’m re-booting the partition of my brain that gives me access to a ton of harmony, melody, and comping. All on the bass! In this episode we’ll take a look at both an extended range 5-string with a high C string, and a standard 4-string tuning. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

I just built a brand new pedalboard from scratch and share the signal chain and some of the sounds with you in this episode. We also get into some much more important topics on the subject of our health and mental well-being as musicians. As I mention in the episode, I want to hear from you in the comments, get feedback on what you would like to hear more about, and moving forward it would be great to include elements of the behind the scenes of daily musician life. A life that doesn’t have to be sedentary and unhealthy, and that can lead to you being around way longer to make way more music. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

It’s incredible that a pedal which creates literally no sound at all, can be so sonically life-changing when it comes to my pedalboard and signal chain. The Wetter Box by Gigrig is by no means a new release, and it’s something I wish I’d tried many years ago. Kudos to Dan and the gang (not a sponsor of the podcast) for getting it so right when many others failed. Here are some other videos I mention in the episode for your reference. Earthquaker Devices Swiss Things was something I used for a long time when my board was in mono. Check out Josh Scott from JHS explaining parallel signal routing. And hear from the creator of the Wetter Box himself, Dan of That Pedal Show fame, talk about exaclty how you might use it. Again, none of these people are sponsors of the podcast, but it’s nice to have the best references when you have questions that go way beyond my security clearance. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when things are kind of crumbling on a session and you need the advice of someone who is close to doing more sessions than any other living bass player? You call Sean Hurley. This is the three part story of how we ended up subbing for each other on gigs we’re pretty well know for doing, and how we approach them in very different but very musical ways. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

I’m always tinkering with new ways to record and find sounds I’ve never produced before. Today I’m experimenting with ways of using a mic to capture more nuance and articulation in my picking hand when I record. The results are pretty startling in terms of how the dynamic range of the instrument is extended. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

It can be tough to admit you’ve made a mistake or done something wrong, not least of all when it involves something you pretend to actually know a little about. In this week’s episode I come clean about a pedal blunder, discover my brain doesn’t work the way I want sometimes, and find comfort in the simple things in life. I also mention in the episode that two pieces of gear are leaving the studio and are up for sale in The Gear Store. If you’re subscribed to my newsletter you’ll see them before many other people listening to the podcast. They are pieces that simply aren’t getting used anymore, and with so many new things arriving in the coming months, it’s time to make some space. It’s gear that has meant a great deal to me for a multitude of reasons, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it ends up and how it gets used. As always, I’m offering them with free shipping worldwide. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

My collaboration with RKM basses is now shipping to the lucky few who were able to grab one in our short run of the instrument. In today’s episode I go into some detail about the venture with RKM, play the bass a ton, and also have a look at some of the challenges we face when using synth pedals as bass players. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

I haven't been this excited about a pedal in a very long time, and thought I would be waiting much longer to get my hands on one. The entire run of 400 sold out instantly a couple of months ago, and I imagine the next run in October will do the same. From its small footprint to the incredible depth of functionality, this reverb is musically very inspiring and I look forward to bringing you more updates on my progress with it soon. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe