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…
Subscribe:.rss.atom.json.md.m3u.pls
Live Last read · last published · next check
Saves to your Listen queue, to pick up on another day or another device.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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:…
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…
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…
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…
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:…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
We get to some new stereo sounds in the pedalboard and even a short lesson on outlining dominant chords in today’s episode… But first, in a music industry dominated by the internet, streaming, social media, and ten-second clips, I’m trying something a little different. I’ve always had the red light on when I’m playing live. I’ve recorded hundreds of shows over the past two decades, many of them as…
With more than 30 years invested in the process of learning and playing music, I'm still trying to get better and improve my technique. If you’re a fan of cycling like me, you may have heard about Tadej Pogačar and his zone-2 training revelations, as discussed by Peter Attia and Tadej's former coach Inigo San Millan. I've tried to start applying similar concepts to my daily practice routine, and…
Special guests on this week's episode are my great friends and musical collaborators Justin Vasquez (who you will find on my albums Live at the 55bar, It Only Happens Once, and Found) and Gabriel Santiago who is a phenomenal Brazilian guitarist and composer I've worked with for many years, and appears on "Night Watch" as a vocalist. Check out Gabriel's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/…
In today's episode we get into some Django Reinhardt, the ii-V-I, and a pedal that's been at the top of my wishlist ever since it dropped a few weeks ago and sold out instantly! More soon, Janek New Book Bundle Available Now! Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Don't ignore your ears! They're the most important part of the process when it comes to playing, learning, communicating, interacting, and producing music of any kind. The word transcription has some things associated with it that might put you off thinking it's right for you, but in today's episode I'm going to break down some of those barriers and give you an explanation of the term that might…
Cannonball Adderley is one of my biggest jazz heroes and in this episode we're taking a look into how he's helped me with all aspects of my playing, not just jazz and improvisation. Find and trust a process that works for you, and then get into great habits like consistency, listening, and repetition. I have also found throughout the decades of working on all music, that the less I expect in terms…
Even if your pedal doesn't have them built in, I have a fix to get you the sound that "trails" open up on time based effects. And when it comes to some of the hippest pedal sounds for bass, a momentary switch can make all the difference in your performance. We get to both trails and momentary switches in this episode, as well as some tasty pedal combos and a vintage octave pedal you may have never…
Jason was a full-time touring musician for years, playing hundreds—if not thousands—of shows around the world. Today, he’s recognized as one of the world’s leading card magicians. He was incredibly generous with his time, sitting down with me to explore the fascinating parallels between mastering both music and magic. We met at New York City’s legendary Birdland Jazz Club and went deep into the…
Ever wanted to sound just like your bass heroes? We all have those iconic players who shaped the way we hear and play bass. For me, it started with revisiting Voodoo by D'Angelo and getting lost in Pino Palladino’s buttery tone. That led me down the rabbit hole of dialing in his sound—and others—using the HX Stomp. The result? A custom collection of 5 HX Stomp presets inspired by five of the…
This past week has been one of the bigger musical challenges of my career when I was asked to sub for one of my all-time bass heroes Tony Levin in the band Stick Men. This episode takes a look at the process of learning their show in less than two days, transcribing and charting all the music, and playing 9 note phrases over an 11/4 time signature. It was a real highlight of my year to be trusted…
Adam Neely is a bass player, band leader, YouTuber and much more as you're about to find out in this interview. I sat down with him recently in NYC and got into what it takes to be a bass player and artist in 2025 and beyond. We talk touring as a band leader, breaking the YouTube algorithm, and a little nerdy pedal chat thrown in for good measure. This was the first time we were meeting in person,…
This episode of the podcast started life a couple of days ago as a post on my newsletter, and has now become a deeper dive into the inner workings of some of the most legendary bass players we all know and love. You might have heard of these bassists, maybe heard these albums. Perhaps you've even heard these exact songs before! But if you leave with nothing else from this episode, I want you to…
You might be a bass player who owns more than one bass, but has had difficulty switching between them. You are not alone! This was me for the longest time. I used to be so tied to one specific instrument that I missed out on a lot of opportunities to play music. I've since shed that security blanket and am sharing the process in today's episode as I highlight how much easier it has become to…
Playing a Thundercat song on SBL wasn't something I had on my bingo card at the beginning of the year, but that's exactly what happened! I had a blast shooting the video and was (in a very rare instance for me) quite happy with the performance. I think it was a product of being surprised by the material, feeling comfortable around the crew, and just letting it happen. Massive thanks to Sharon for…
It all started as a very innocent comment about not being a huge Soundgarden fan. Over 200k views and 1k comments in the first week later, and the dumpster fire that YouTube comments can become has been quite an eye-opening ride. The irony is, I don't hate Soundgarden at all. I've even seen them in concert at the old LA Forum and had a great time. The way in which most of the outraged commenters…
When life happens and what you actually need to be doing to get ready for recording, performances, or clinics gets put on the back burner, it can feel a little hectic and out of control. I found myself waking up today, the day before leaving for Europe, and feeling very underprepared with my playing. Today’s episode takes a look at the idea I’m using to inject some confidence and stamina back into…
It's not clickbait, it's not a hack, it's not a shortcut, and there is no avoiding the work. This is literally how you get better faster than you’re doing it now. Laser focus on small pieces of information for as much time as you can during your practice sessions, will help give you the freedom to play without thinking when it comes to be onstage. More soon, Janek P.S. There are crazy delays on…
In this no-holds-barred episode, we (yes, my wife is finally back on an episode!) react to the recent storm surrounding Danny Sapko's exposé of Giacomo Turra , who’s been accused of stealing musical content and passing it off as his own. The controversy triggered widespread conversation across the online music world—drawing in heavyweights like Adam Neely and Rick Beato . But here’s the twist: we…
We’re into a harmony deep-dive in today’s episode that, towards the end of the epsiode, becomes somewhat of an “internet musician” deep rant. Thankfully I’m not 21 anymore, and I think we pose some important and positive questions before the episode is over. Get in the comments below the YouTube video to chime in with your thoughts. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at…
Just a quick note to let you know that, besides today’s episode of the podcast dropping, we’re getting really close to being able to announce the London clinic with myself and Ian Martin Allison on June 1st . In today’s episode, I take a crack at sharing my latest harmonic curiosity: Neo-Riemannian Triadic Theory . It’s a bit of a mouthful for something that’s essentially just major and minor…
A quick emergency episode of the podcast to let you know that Bass Day Europe has been cancelled a the last-minute, and that Ian Martin Allison and myself are going to try and do something in London together in its place. Comments on the video with suggestions are already pouring in which I really appreciate, but we can’t have too many ideas. So put your thinking caps on and let’s see what the…
I've been looking for the perfect touring pedalboard case my entire career, and even though I think I've come pretty close with this latest setup, only time on the road over the next two weeks will tell. We start our tour here at home in LA for four nights, but once we leave for the airport it's 14 flights in 10 days. I'll be sure to report back on all the wins and losses for the board when the…
It's incredible what can be staring you in the face for so long, and you just can't see it no matter how hard you look. My discovery this week, of a function on a pedal I've owned for over 5 years, changed the way I'm able to play, to write, and to enjoy music. The pedalboard has now been cannibalized as a result, and is being totally rebuilt before touring starts next week. As a result, some…
A bass arrived yesterday that I'm holding onto for a friend before I deliver it to him, and I get to share it with you on the channel while It's in my studio. It’s always interesting to see what other builders are doing, and what other people are playing. It’s definitely not my particular flavor, but still a fun and challenging exercise to play a strange instrument and try and sound like yourself…
Today's episode of the podcast takes a quick look into the new "medium" stereo pedalboard build, a dive into the epic 10th anniversary version of the JHS Colorbox, and some lo-fi exploration with the Vibrato Coral from EQ Circuitos. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
As touring season approaches, another rig build is imminent. I've been working on some sounds and figuring out how I'm going to take this massive stereo image on tour with me for both playing live and recording. With tours in the US and Europe with Vital Information, solo clinics, bass days, and several large recording projects scattered around the world, compact and easy to carry is the name of…
I recently hopped on a flight to Boston to meet up with my good friend and bass-hero John Patitucci. We went all the way down the rabbit hole on his entire discography as an artist, his new album Spirit Fall, and so many details of how his career was shaped by Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter, and how it is still taking on new shapes and forms to this day. Be sure to check out tour dates at his…
Whilst sifting through old drives for B-Roll for another video I found this old overhead shot of me working on a Till Brönner transcription from a few years back. Obviously I don’t set up the camera and makes videos like this every time I transcribe something, but I do make a habit of transcribing on a regular basis. As my ear gets stronger, the material I’m transcribing tends to change. It’s…
In today's episode I dig into the Wayne Shorter composition Capricorn , take a look at new chord voicings, and explain my process for creating a new challenge in my practice routine. Since the recent video about the dozens of books that got stolen from my porch we've managed to re-stock, so there are 10-Minute Manuals, Scales and Arpeggios, and almost every other book we have in stock right now!…
As 2025 gets well and truly underway I have so many music-related things to be thankful for and excited about. My latest album, Mystery to Me - 20th Anniversary Edition , is now available for pre-order on vinyl. It’s the first album in 20 years of releasing music as an artist that I’m having pressed to vinyl, and I can’t wait to share it with you. Two beautiful new instruments have just arrived!…
