After 30 Years, I Still Practice This Simple Exercise

If you’re already subscribed to my substack, you’ll have read a little about what’s in today’s episode yesterday already. Go straight to the video if that’s the case, and get stuck into the practice routine I’m sharing today. For those new to the podcast or to my substack….The longer I play music, the more value I find in returning to simple ideas.This episode begins with one major-scale exercise pulled from a practice video I recorded nearly eight years ago. It’s a straightforward shape, but it contains an enormous amount of useful information: fretting-hand technique, articulation, fretboard knowledge, major-scale harmony and the ability to feel equally comfortable in every key.I demonstrate the exercise in several positions, discuss the fingering and pull-off mechanics, and explore ways of introducing rhythmic variation. Then I show how quickly a technical pattern can escape the practice room and become something musical through inversions, suspensions, tension, resolution and spontaneous harmonic movement.But the episode is also about something larger: deciding where our time should go.After 30 years of traveling to play music, I’m thinking carefully about the balance between touring, recording, teaching and family life. I still intend to record extensively. and my goal is to release at least three albums a year—but accomplishing that means becoming more selective about the work I accept and more protective of the time I have at home.That thinking has led to two new ideas.The first is the launch of my private one-on-one Zoom lessons. There is now a limited selection of one-hour sessions available each week, with options to book either a single lesson or a discounted package.These lessons don’t have to be limited to scales and technique. We can work on improvisation, practice strategy, finding direction when you feel stuck, preparing for professional situations, navigating the music business or simply getting better results from the limited time you have with your instrument.We live in an era of unprecedented access to musical information. What most musicians still lack is personal feedback: someone they trust who can look at what they’re doing, identify what is working, uncover what isn’t and help determine the most productive next step.The second idea is a small-group, one-day music intensive. I’m imagining approximately six hours of teaching with two instructors, a maximum of around 40–50 attendees, a good shared lunch, opportunities to meet other musicians and potentially a closing performance. It would offer more depth and interaction than a conventional clinic without requiring the expense and logistical commitment of a residential music camp.I’d love your input:• What would make an intensive like this impossible to miss?• What have you disliked about clinics or music camps you’ve attended?• Who would you like to see joining me as a guest instructor?• Which city should we bring it to?Ian Martin Allison, John Patitucci and Henrik Linder are among the musicians I think could be fantastic collaborators, but nothing is fixed and your feedback will help shape the idea.In this episode• The simple exercise I still practice after 30 years• Developing confidence in every key• Technique, articulation and fretting-hand mechanics• Making repetitive material more engaging• Turning a scale pattern into actual music• Balancing professional music with family life• Why I’m becoming more selective about touring• Launching private one-on-one lessons• Information versus meaningful personal feedback• The idea behind a new one-day music intensive• Why experienced musicians still need trusted adviceLinksBook a private lessonBrowse my books, music and educational materialsWatch the episode on YouTubeMore soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe