I Discovered a Huge Blind Spot in My Practice

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, JanekP.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