Janek I’ve been following you since 2012… there weren’t many videos on RUclips back then especially in terms of teaching… it got me into ACM. I’ve failed at the music due to personal life, but I must say this video is the most inspirational I’ve seen from you… there are many parts, but from the 36:38 point in you really moved me the most and brought a tear… what wonderful words… all my love to you as it always has been but more importantly to you and you’re family… take care brother x
Great to hear that you are going to be on the SBL Podcast. More content from you available to an even bigger audience, especially since Scott talked a lot about how he really wanted you as a guest. Finally, it's happening!
Janek, I downloaded my copy of the book yesterday. I just wanted to say thank you. I can only imagine the time and effort you and Chelsea put into this book. Not to mention trying to get it done as new parents. Great content, working my way through it slowly but surely. Perhaps I will finally be able to tame this beast of a tune and sound competent! Thanks again.
This one was great! I'll wear out the pages of that book! Can't wait to have it. Loved the way you described your inner state (the blank room) when you are on full "improv mode". Some days it's easier than others, just like you said: the second you think about it, is the second you lose it. No matter how simple or complicated the idea is, it just won't sound right if the wire is unppluged inside "our room".
Hi Janek, Thanks for all the great content. Full-time bass player, and full-time dad here. I have two beautiful daughters, 3 and (soon)5 years old, and im 51 myself....my passion is in jazz, but by some amazing divine intervention I won a full time orchestra job 14 years ago. So, these days, any few minutes I can squeak in on my bass guitars or jazz upright after my day-job playing Mahler, I obviously jump at. If we have evening rehersals or I get a week off while the kids are at daycare, those days are sacred. Still, hard to keep up, and u find myself frantically practicing at any and every opportunity to keep in shape for jazz projects on the side. Made my first, and so far only solo album 7 years before going classical, incidentally recorded Giant steps in a 7/8 rendition on that, (album is called Dig it!, on all the usual streaming things)nowhere near being able to pull that off today, but I know what it takes to get back there. At a rather different space musically these days, so it's fine, dreaming of recording my solo album nr 2 some time soon, I will make it! Started my RUclips channel doing jazz upright pizz bass interpretations of Bach cello suites during the pandemic, nowhere close to your level of channel with my 1000 subs, but still try to put out extremely irregular videos. Anyway, just a friendly message from a fellow father/bassplayer but with a straight-job playing bass, however weird that sounds....take care, and best wishes for everything!
What a great message to receive, I really appreciate you taking the time. I also just checked out some of your electric playing from "Vlog 4 Hamburg" with the guitar trio. Great playing man, the time and the sound are totally smoking! The sound especially on that jazz bass, really perfect for the setting. I hear you on the dad/music balance. I don't doubt I will be a father again at some point in the not too distant future, so the time will start to evaporate even more. But the tools to make it work also get sharper at the same time, so i'm enjoying the challenge and all the great stuff that comes along with it. I'd also very much like to hear some Mahler live! If I'm ever in Oslo (which does happen from time to time) it would be great to check you out with the orchestra. Feel free to be in touch any time through my website, and good luck with the classical/jazz/kid balance. Skål!
The book sounds great looking forward to that! I like the idea of deep diving into one thing. I think it will be a great way to see the ii-V-I in action. I was wondering if you could do a beginners, intermediate, advanced bass guitar video and how each guitar changes per category.
I was just thinking how you need to be on SBL!! So awesome!!! You and Phil Mann would be a great colab! I can tell you would make learning simple to understand!
I would like to see an interview between you and a musician, who is also committed in methods, that enforce the first-person-perspective (i.e. self-reference), like meditation.The reason is, that the language and terms, that is/are cultivated by these trained "self-observers" could be helpful in growing a sensitivity to certain aspects of an effective and orientating mindset, while start to get in the flow while practicing / performing for example.
Hey Janek, how about talking about left hand technique? Finger pressure, thumb pressure/placement, how to work around the inherent weakness between the 2nd and 3rd fingers… I don’t think it’s a thing that’s talked about enough.
Love this push dude! The content has been amazing and the video's have been looking great! I'm spending a lot of time wrestling with jumping into the Jazz world as an electric player. Learning to read music and having good material on my desk ready to go has been a game changer for practice. I have Iconic Lines and iVI Jazz Vocab open now. I would love to learn more about what your 'Practice to Performance' process could look like for jazz walking... especially reflecting back to an intermediate level. Some things are table stakes - (memorizing the changes & notes) - But how do you get out of thinking - "On this chord I'll play a 1 5 2 3 pattern and next time I'll play 1 2 3 5" etc.??
The new Giant Steps book actually opens with a chapter on walking through changes. Targeting different notes other than the root, repetition of one idea through many different changes, and tons more. My overall advice is to listen to the best upright players in history, transcribe their lines over material you're working on, and let repetition ingrain that information into your playing to the point where you never have to think about it again.
It is ‘The Tate’ guy ! I feel Q.E. hall is a great one Janek if Royal Albert is slammed. A cool vibe, great location, South bank and all ! New Cross ramp up and punk jazz out. That’s another area perhaps. If Tokyo…. Forget the Cotton Club vibe play Pitt Inn - paint the walls. MHO My 2£’s /¥/€…
Hi Janek, always love your insights. Do you have a method for remembering chord sequences? For example Nashville numbering, fretboard shapes, or plain just learning them by rote.
Listening is your biggest ally here. I don't "remember" anything, I either know it or I don't. Through the process of listening, transcription, and repetition, I build up a vocabulary and set of reactive skills that allow me to navigate harmony, and retain a lot of information at any given time. Information that is buried deep in my muscle memory to the point where I could never forget it.
Love the new background lighting. Also, I love the fact you didn't "sell out" to the RUclips "algorithm". No PRO BASS PLAYER REACTS, or PRO BASSIST TRIES GYMNASTICS, or WORLD'S BEST BASSIST'S INSANE PEDAL COLLECTION and no EDC, Setup tours, or fret wraps 😜 If you reach that 100k, it's going to be well earned. SHARP END "I just want to die and not have sucked!" - Janek in a random stream (I was taking notes)
The titles are the thing that bother me so much. It's when people have those titles, and then don't deliver on them. If I tried gymnastics and used that title, you'd better believe I would be in a gym with the best coach I could find, doing some shit that was relevant to my music and helping me with posture or recovery from an injury. I'm sure you'll see some titles that make you go "huh..?!", but I'm always going to deliver on them, and tell a story that is relevant. Sharp end all the way. Zero sucking at death.
I would advise not to! 🤣 But joking aside, a jam session will definitely test your leadership skills. I think the most important element of your job as a leader is to create a really inspiring and encouraging environment for people to get up and play in. Make sure you hire musicians for the rhythm section who are both great AND patient, and with no attitude or ego. Encourage everyone who comes to the jam session to get up, and don't alienate people by playing difficult tunes all the time. I remember going to a lot of jam sessions when I was a kid and being really intimidated by everyone around me. The few times that someone who I considered to be a great musician came over and asked me what I wanted to play, were huge confidence building moments. When you feel included, you're far more willing to participate. Remember that some people are going to be great players, and some people aren't even going to know how a jam session works. Be very clear in your explanation of the format as you talk to the audience on the mic, and have a sign-up list, a suggested song list, and make sure everyone onstage is comfortable before counting off a tune. You have a huge responsibility as the session leader, as one traumatic experience for a young musician at a jam sessions, could negatively effect the trajectory of that persons direction in music.
Sounds like there needs to be a strict "chorus cutoff"/ limit at jazz jam sessions. I'm not a jazz player, but, that non-stop wankery scenario sounds absolutely dreadful. I suppose just about any "jam session" is probably that type of scenario, non-stop "musical masturbation". On the "Giant Steps" tip, I always thought Eddie Harris busting it out in 3/4 was kinda cool. I've been rocking the "II-V-I" exercise for the last several months. It's become my go to warm up whenever I pick up the bass. I have almost instantly heard how much of a difference that it has had on my playing and writing. Very much looking forward to this book!
Hey Janek, I've noticed a good improvement in my playing since i started following you on you tube. Do you have any thoughts on how to improve right hand three finger picking bass technique?
It's all about having the right intent with it. It's not something that is even on my radar right now, so when I think of a technique like that I have to ask myself if I'm doing it for the right reasons. If you're just doing it for the sake of it, maybe it's not the right time. If you're doing it because it gives you access to the music you love to play, then you have the right intent, and with the right transcription and methodical practice, all you need is time.
@@janekgwizdalapodcast8028 If two is good enough for you. Than two is good enough for me. Your channel and out look is awesome. Learning and appreciating jazz has really opened up my playing so much. I love the way you share your knowledge.
Wonderful podcast. Put me down for pre-purchase of the book on Giant Steps. A couple of questions if you are still answering comments made in the first 10 days. Question 1: I've transcribed so many solos from many different artists (mainly horn and piano players) playing Giant Steps. When I say transcribe, I mean I learn the solo note for note but I no longer write out the solos. My issue is once I learn a new solo over these same changes, the older solos are gone! Lol. I can't recall anything or pull it in or mix up the different solos to make new music. Will your book help with this? Question 2: I just purchased a Helix Stomp XL this week based on your video recommendations. I have never used effects before...EVER. I'm just a bedroom player. I like your tone on this podcast. Are you just using reverb and/or delay? Is it a standard setting on the Helix? If yes, what is the setting please. Kind regards John
Congrats on getting your first effects unit! The reverb in this episode is the one I use in all my practice patches. It's the "Dynamic Hall". I hate to break it to you, but there isn't a book in the world that will help you retain solos if you're not writing them down. It's an unimaginable task to commit that amount of information to muscle memory, and expect to be able to draw upon it for decades to come. You need to notate, use repetition as much as your will power can stand at the time of transcription, and then re-visit those old solos for inspiration in years to come.
Hello! First of all I want to congratulate you for all the info and learning material you take the time to show to us, but, and in the most respectful way, i remember all the things you say during your twitch live sessions about the channel/school/podcast you just said you went on an interview, again, i have a lot of your books, they’re great, all your content is great, and i can’t even start to praise your music and your sound, but been in that podcast just makes me lost a little credibility about you, hope to listen to it soon! And again thanks for everything you do for us!! 🙌🏻
The person who has one opinion forever, even when the information changes, is the person you want to think about a loss of credibility with. Streaming on Twitch was one of the most regrettable things I've ever done in my life. I look at the platform now and want to vomit, and remember wasting my time for hours on end, talking utter bullshit, and regret almost every minute of it. Even with how much I regret being a part of that platform, it was still a learning experience and I'm better off for it in a lot of ways.
@@janekgwizdalapodcast8028 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 thanks for the reply, of course you can change your mind, everybody can, but not all was bad on twitch, it made me took the bass again after 15 years retired (one of my life regrets, beside selling my 1990 Tobias basic 6 strings 😭) I think a lot of people learn a lot on those streamings!!! Again thank you very much for all the work you do, you’re one of the few real musicians getting the work done on this platforms! PD.: why don’t you try using SUBS instead of a voice over on your Spanish channel? Here in Latin America we read subs everyday I think it’ll work better that way (and I think it’s easy, i’m a video editor and do that kind of work everyday)
I had to do a double take when you said you went on the sbl podcast cos I know that you've not had the best opinion of them in the past lol. It'd be really interesting to hear why you decided to go on and if your opinion about them has changed at all
I’d be pretty closed minded if information changed, but I kept the same opinion my whole life. So change and updated perspectives are good. Twitch (which I’m guessing is what you’re referencing) was one of the most regrettable things I’ve ever done, and there are many things about it I would like to erase from my memory.
@@janekgwizdalapodcast8028 something so simple and easy, yet so many people sadly don't. I think that would be a pretty good story to tell. How you originally thought of them, the twitch regrets, and what information changed to change your opinion
Janek I’ve been following you since 2012… there weren’t many videos on RUclips back then especially in terms of teaching… it got me into ACM. I’ve failed at the music due to personal life, but I must say this video is the most inspirational I’ve seen from you… there are many parts, but from the 36:38 point in you really moved me the most and brought a tear… what wonderful words… all my love to you as it always has been but more importantly to you and you’re family… take care brother x
Great to hear that you are going to be on the SBL Podcast. More content from you available to an even bigger audience, especially since Scott talked a lot about how he really wanted you as a guest. Finally, it's happening!
Was fun. 2 1/2 hour episode I think. If they leave it all in that is...
Yeah I'm looking forward to that! Maybe to a course?
@@janekgwizdalapodcast8028 it was super fun to watch.
Insightful!🔥🔥
Janek, I downloaded my copy of the book yesterday. I just wanted to say thank you. I can only imagine the time and effort you and Chelsea put into this book. Not to mention trying to get it done as new parents.
Great content, working my way through it slowly but surely. Perhaps I will finally be able to tame this beast of a tune and sound competent! Thanks again.
This one was great!
I'll wear out the pages of that book! Can't wait to have it.
Loved the way you described your inner state (the blank room) when you are on full "improv mode". Some days it's easier than others, just like you said: the second you think about it, is the second you lose it. No matter how simple or complicated the idea is, it just won't sound right if the wire is unppluged inside "our room".
Hi Janek, Thanks for all the great content. Full-time bass player, and full-time dad here. I have two beautiful daughters, 3 and (soon)5 years old, and im 51 myself....my passion is in jazz, but by some amazing divine intervention I won a full time orchestra job 14 years ago. So, these days, any few minutes I can squeak in on my bass guitars or jazz upright after my day-job playing Mahler, I obviously jump at. If we have evening rehersals or I get a week off while the kids are at daycare, those days are sacred. Still, hard to keep up, and u find myself frantically practicing at any and every opportunity to keep in shape for jazz projects on the side. Made my first, and so far only solo album 7 years before going classical, incidentally recorded Giant steps in a 7/8 rendition on that, (album is called Dig it!, on all the usual streaming things)nowhere near being able to pull that off today, but I know what it takes to get back there. At a rather different space musically these days, so it's fine, dreaming of recording my solo album nr 2 some time soon, I will make it! Started my RUclips channel doing jazz upright pizz bass interpretations of Bach cello suites during the pandemic, nowhere close to your level of channel with my 1000 subs, but still try to put out extremely irregular videos. Anyway, just a friendly message from a fellow father/bassplayer but with a straight-job playing bass, however weird that sounds....take care, and best wishes for everything!
What a great message to receive, I really appreciate you taking the time. I also just checked out some of your electric playing from "Vlog 4 Hamburg" with the guitar trio. Great playing man, the time and the sound are totally smoking! The sound especially on that jazz bass, really perfect for the setting.
I hear you on the dad/music balance. I don't doubt I will be a father again at some point in the not too distant future, so the time will start to evaporate even more. But the tools to make it work also get sharper at the same time, so i'm enjoying the challenge and all the great stuff that comes along with it.
I'd also very much like to hear some Mahler live! If I'm ever in Oslo (which does happen from time to time) it would be great to check you out with the orchestra. Feel free to be in touch any time through my website, and good luck with the classical/jazz/kid balance. Skål!
The book sounds great looking forward to that! I like the idea of deep diving into one thing. I think it will be a great way to see the ii-V-I in action.
I was wondering if you could do a beginners, intermediate, advanced bass guitar video and how each guitar changes per category.
That would be a good video. I'll add it to the list of ideas for upcoming shoots.
I was just thinking how you need to be on SBL!! So awesome!!! You and Phil Mann would be a great colab! I can tell you would make learning simple to understand!
I would like to see an interview between you and a musician, who is also committed in methods, that enforce the first-person-perspective (i.e. self-reference), like meditation.The reason is, that the language and terms, that is/are cultivated by these trained "self-observers" could be helpful in growing a sensitivity to certain aspects of an effective and orientating mindset, while start to get in the flow while practicing / performing for example.
Hey Janek, how about talking about left hand technique? Finger pressure, thumb pressure/placement, how to work around the inherent weakness between the 2nd and 3rd fingers… I don’t think it’s a thing that’s talked about enough.
Can definitely talk more about that on an upcoming podcast.
Love this push dude! The content has been amazing and the video's have been looking great!
I'm spending a lot of time wrestling with jumping into the Jazz world as an electric player. Learning to read music and having good material on my desk ready to go has been a game changer for practice. I have Iconic Lines and iVI Jazz Vocab open now.
I would love to learn more about what your 'Practice to Performance' process could look like for jazz walking... especially reflecting back to an intermediate level. Some things are table stakes - (memorizing the changes & notes) - But how do you get out of thinking - "On this chord I'll play a 1 5 2 3 pattern and next time I'll play 1 2 3 5" etc.??
The new Giant Steps book actually opens with a chapter on walking through changes. Targeting different notes other than the root, repetition of one idea through many different changes, and tons more.
My overall advice is to listen to the best upright players in history, transcribe their lines over material you're working on, and let repetition ingrain that information into your playing to the point where you never have to think about it again.
It is ‘The Tate’ guy !
I feel Q.E. hall is a great one Janek if Royal Albert is slammed. A cool vibe, great location, South bank and all ! New Cross ramp up and punk jazz out. That’s another area perhaps.
If Tokyo…. Forget the Cotton Club vibe play Pitt Inn - paint the walls. MHO
My 2£’s /¥/€…
Hi Janek, always love your insights. Do you have a method for remembering chord sequences? For example Nashville numbering, fretboard shapes, or plain just learning them by rote.
Listening is your biggest ally here. I don't "remember" anything, I either know it or I don't. Through the process of listening, transcription, and repetition, I build up a vocabulary and set of reactive skills that allow me to navigate harmony, and retain a lot of information at any given time. Information that is buried deep in my muscle memory to the point where I could never forget it.
@@janekgwizdalapodcast8028 I need to spend longer hearing and playing the changes then. Thank you.
Love the new background lighting.
Also, I love the fact you didn't "sell out" to the RUclips "algorithm".
No PRO BASS PLAYER REACTS, or PRO BASSIST TRIES GYMNASTICS, or WORLD'S BEST BASSIST'S INSANE PEDAL COLLECTION and no EDC, Setup tours, or fret wraps 😜
If you reach that 100k, it's going to be well earned. SHARP END
"I just want to die and not have sucked!"
- Janek in a random stream (I was taking notes)
The titles are the thing that bother me so much. It's when people have those titles, and then don't deliver on them. If I tried gymnastics and used that title, you'd better believe I would be in a gym with the best coach I could find, doing some shit that was relevant to my music and helping me with posture or recovery from an injury.
I'm sure you'll see some titles that make you go "huh..?!", but I'm always going to deliver on them, and tell a story that is relevant.
Sharp end all the way. Zero sucking at death.
how would you advice running an effective Jam session?
I would advise not to! 🤣
But joking aside, a jam session will definitely test your leadership skills.
I think the most important element of your job as a leader is to create a really inspiring and encouraging environment for people to get up and play in. Make sure you hire musicians for the rhythm section who are both great AND patient, and with no attitude or ego. Encourage everyone who comes to the jam session to get up, and don't alienate people by playing difficult tunes all the time.
I remember going to a lot of jam sessions when I was a kid and being really intimidated by everyone around me. The few times that someone who I considered to be a great musician came over and asked me what I wanted to play, were huge confidence building moments. When you feel included, you're far more willing to participate.
Remember that some people are going to be great players, and some people aren't even going to know how a jam session works. Be very clear in your explanation of the format as you talk to the audience on the mic, and have a sign-up list, a suggested song list, and make sure everyone onstage is comfortable before counting off a tune.
You have a huge responsibility as the session leader, as one traumatic experience for a young musician at a jam sessions, could negatively effect the trajectory of that persons direction in music.
Sounds like there needs to be a strict "chorus cutoff"/ limit at jazz jam sessions. I'm not a jazz player, but, that non-stop wankery scenario sounds absolutely dreadful. I suppose just about any "jam session" is probably that type of scenario, non-stop "musical masturbation". On the "Giant Steps" tip, I always thought Eddie Harris busting it out in 3/4 was kinda cool. I've been rocking the "II-V-I" exercise for the last several months. It's become my go to warm up whenever I pick up the bass. I have almost instantly heard how much of a difference that it has had on my playing and writing. Very much looking forward to this book!
Hey Janek, I've noticed a good improvement in my playing since i started following you on you tube. Do you have any thoughts on how to improve right hand three finger picking bass technique?
It's all about having the right intent with it. It's not something that is even on my radar right now, so when I think of a technique like that I have to ask myself if I'm doing it for the right reasons. If you're just doing it for the sake of it, maybe it's not the right time. If you're doing it because it gives you access to the music you love to play, then you have the right intent, and with the right transcription and methodical practice, all you need is time.
@@janekgwizdalapodcast8028 If two is good enough for you. Than two is good enough for me. Your channel and out look is awesome. Learning and appreciating jazz has really opened up my playing so much. I love the way you share your knowledge.
Wonderful podcast. Put me down for pre-purchase of the book on Giant Steps. A couple of questions if you are still answering comments made in the first 10 days. Question 1: I've transcribed so many solos from many different artists (mainly horn and piano players) playing Giant Steps. When I say transcribe, I mean I learn the solo note for note but I no longer write out the solos. My issue is once I learn a new solo over these same changes, the older solos are gone! Lol. I can't recall anything or pull it in or mix up the different solos to make new music. Will your book help with this? Question 2: I just purchased a Helix Stomp XL this week based on your video recommendations. I have never used effects before...EVER. I'm just a bedroom player. I like your tone on this podcast. Are you just using reverb and/or delay? Is it a standard setting on the Helix? If yes, what is the setting please. Kind regards John
Congrats on getting your first effects unit!
The reverb in this episode is the one I use in all my practice patches. It's the "Dynamic Hall".
I hate to break it to you, but there isn't a book in the world that will help you retain solos if you're not writing them down. It's an unimaginable task to commit that amount of information to muscle memory, and expect to be able to draw upon it for decades to come. You need to notate, use repetition as much as your will power can stand at the time of transcription, and then re-visit those old solos for inspiration in years to come.
Hello! First of all I want to congratulate you for all the info and learning material you take the time to show to us, but, and in the most respectful way, i remember all the things you say during your twitch live sessions about the channel/school/podcast you just said you went on an interview, again, i have a lot of your books, they’re great, all your content is great, and i can’t even start to praise your music and your sound, but been in that podcast just makes me lost a little credibility about you, hope to listen to it soon! And again thanks for everything you do for us!! 🙌🏻
The person who has one opinion forever, even when the information changes, is the person you want to think about a loss of credibility with.
Streaming on Twitch was one of the most regrettable things I've ever done in my life. I look at the platform now and want to vomit, and remember wasting my time for hours on end, talking utter bullshit, and regret almost every minute of it.
Even with how much I regret being a part of that platform, it was still a learning experience and I'm better off for it in a lot of ways.
@@janekgwizdalapodcast8028 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 thanks for the reply, of course you can change your mind, everybody can, but not all was bad on twitch, it made me took the bass again after 15 years retired (one of my life regrets, beside selling my 1990 Tobias basic 6 strings 😭) I think a lot of people learn a lot on those streamings!!! Again thank you very much for all the work you do, you’re one of the few real musicians getting the work done on this platforms!
PD.: why don’t you try using SUBS instead of a voice over on your Spanish channel? Here in Latin America we read subs everyday I think it’ll work better that way (and I think it’s easy, i’m a video editor and do that kind of work everyday)
I had to do a double take when you said you went on the sbl podcast cos I know that you've not had the best opinion of them in the past lol. It'd be really interesting to hear why you decided to go on and if your opinion about them has changed at all
I’d be pretty closed minded if information changed, but I kept the same opinion my whole life. So change and updated perspectives are good.
Twitch (which I’m guessing is what you’re referencing) was one of the most regrettable things I’ve ever done, and there are many things about it I would like to erase from my memory.
@@janekgwizdalapodcast8028 something so simple and easy, yet so many people sadly don't. I think that would be a pretty good story to tell. How you originally thought of them, the twitch regrets, and what information changed to change your opinion
You talk aloyya shheeitt
GET TO THE POINT, PLEASE!