Feeling Insecure About Your Playing? How To Fix Bass Anxiety

[@chrisbrenner4598]

I played publicly for the first time in years this weekend. I made a few minor mistakes which nobody probably noticed (it was at church), but I went to my seat feeling like a failure. So this is very well timed.

[@stephenmitchell2979]

At least you got off your backside and done the gig. Feel proud of yourself, stick with it and you will soon get match fit brother. It’s very rare that you will have a perfect performance.👍

[@bassimprovjams3772]

No man I’m sure you did fine, I guarantee no one noticed whatever you considered a mistake, but if you noticed it, that’s a positive thing for you to fix for the next gig, happy bass playing homie! 🤘😎

[@ajaxnii]

same here

[@bensquire8426]

I've always had a form of anxiety with music my whole life. I completely doubt myself and beat myself up for mistakes mid gig or recording and it just cascades leading to more mistakes and less confidence, then beating myself up afterwards feeling low and neglecting practice it is a vicious cycle. I have no idea where to turn to other than practicing but motivation is low. Thank you to anyone who reads this, it feels nice to admit it in a public forum. Thanks Janek for the videos good luck at the gig.

[@RDog4484]

This is just what I needed to hear. I have a gig coming up in a little over a week and I also haven’t had time to practice as much as I would like. Thanks for everything you do.

[@thismusictrash5143]

Thank you for posting this Janek. I was called to play a couple gigs this past week, and I knew I had not been practicing like i should due to being a new father. I just sat down and went over music over and over again until I felt comfortable. Thank you for posting this. Loved your insight on this topic

[@WhatJeanWants]

I think we’re already grading you at A++ for that upcoming gig regardless of how you may rate yourself! And I really appreciate all the sage advice and experience that you shared with us here in this video. Thank you!

[@kvbmusic333]

Any recordings of that upcoming gigs would be incredible. This is a rhythm section I would KILL to hear but I am on the other side of the country. Thank you for all of the inspiration!

[@eddy_is_crunchy5593]

always seems like your videos come right as i’m thinking about the topic! thanks again, Janek!

[@wallace_nelson]

Always look forward to your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@joeclark149]

That sounds like an amazing show, and line up. All the best for it,

[@frederic_viennot]

huge thanks for this video ;)) applying it to my piano practice ;)))

[@simonpaulengland7833]

Another cool vid Janek, best of luck for the 19th...!!!!

[@desmorga6757]

Topic came right on time for me

[@basssurfandsun163]

So much musical knowledge, and bass playing expertise shared with a great pedagogy, thanks so much 🙏 of inspiring me to improve my bass playing🙏💚🌍♻️🤙

[@GrowlerBox]

Great melody; did I hear a bit of Mr PC in there? In any case, I’ll put it on my to do list, and I might be up to it in 30 years … 😊

[@thepartimemusician65]

Hey Janek, how about discussing the post gig/jam negative mental melt down😢

[@xeode]

banger info, and got to love the podcast voice getting a run out 👍

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Janek I would love to see you play a John Myung signature 6string bongo and see your reaction of it, it’s on a 5 string neck like 14mm spacing

[@roballanson9228]

Hey @janek awesome chat as usual. Question: Do you still get nervous before a gig, I mean beyond the normal adrenaline and excitement? For me I still get butterflies even after 30 odd years of playing. I have, and I think they are Ron Carter's words, in my head "there is always one person who has never seen you before, they are there to be entertained". Kind of a big responsibility on us as bass players, musicians and humans I guess. Sorry for the long waffly comment....

[@janekgwizdala]

I don't ever get nervous before shows. I haven't in as long as I can remember. Although that doesn't showcase some zen-like disposition I have when it comes to music, it just means I probably did get nervous in the beginning at some point, I'm just too old to remember now. I am very aware of there always being someone there that hasn't seen me play before. Not during the show, but I do remind myself of that before I go on.

[@micheal21588]

This was needed Janek 💯 continue to inspire and share ....im learning alot from you ...question what page is play along exercise in the book?

[@janekgwizdala]

Page 63

[@daveweed2765]

The bass on the backing track sounds more like bass to me than all the noodling. I like it but I also think a lot lose focus on what a bass does in a band. I used to play guitar and still do sometimes.

[@RobiTheophilus]

2:12 yeaaa... with me being a professional musician AND a full-time dad with two littles, what is this "consistent practice" thing you talk about 😅

[@mustygreenbeanie_bass_]

Do you have any tips on how to remember the basslines from the songs? I was given a 133 song setlist recently, and I got chord charts, but I will forget bass parts like a mug. What about tips on remembering the groove and improving your groove. I've been practicing to a metronome ( 2 and 4 click) (8th note sub click, 16th nite sub click). Do you copy vocal melodies when you forget bass parts?

[@sarahmitchell9247]

Hey Janek- I want to see Chelsea’s studio.

[@lundeimagesas2900]

A strange question, perhaps, but how do you concentrate? How do you free your mind to stay in the music and not think about the people watching? I've been performing music for over 30 years, but my mind is usually occupied with everything else. PS, I have Asperger's and ADHD, so that might be why it's difficult. But it would be great to have something to focus on to try out :)

[@janekgwizdala]

I always operate on the grounds that I'm playing music for me first and foremost. That there might be people in the room also listening was their choice and not mine. The fact that I didn't force anyone to be there helps me let go of the fact that they're there at all, and makes me give a far more honest performance as a result.

[@lundeimagesas2900]

@@janekgwizdala Thanks, it makes perfect sense! That way I can actually play with (even more) joy 😊🙏

[@patmoulds]

Wondering if there’s a way to see a sample page or two from your book. Prefer notation, but don’t want to assume. Thanks

[@janekgwizdala]

There are sample pages on the product listing at the site. We'll be adding more the closer we get to the launch.

[@lonjezodzilankhulani6510]

4:39 is there a digital only version?

[@janekgwizdala]

There will be on November 27th once the book is officially launched. Right now we're just taking pre-orders for signed physical copies bundled with the digital.

[@lonjezodzilankhulani6510]

@@janekgwizdala Alright thank you

[@reggaebass1857]

Hi janek, really enjoying your videos, how much is shipping to the Uk for your book please

[@janekgwizdala]

@@reggaebass1857 All the details are at the website. Make sure you select international shipping.

[@ralphmanak]

Yeah. Studies, the active word.

[@eddy_is_crunchy5593]

Ever thought about doing viewer playing critique every so often?

[@janekgwizdala]

It's a slippery slope... And also takes a ton of time to put together. The thing I love about the podcast is that I record it, upload it, and it's done.

I wouldn't see it. I know I can learn from Janeks comments but I prefer him going straight to the point rather than seeing random people play random things

[@basssurfandsun163]

🙏🙏💚🌍♻️🤙

[@HitExplosionVideo]

That bass is incredible but what is it?

[@janekgwizdala]

It's the prototype to my signature Mattisson

[@randyclere2330]

You’ll do fine… you are a professional & accomplished… start to see yourself as “already doing it”… what does that look like? What does it feel like in your body? Bravo!! Best wishes

[@xquesmuah]

New Mattisson?

[@janekgwizdala]

This is the Mattisson I've had the longest of all of them.

[@xquesmuah]

@@janekgwizdala the fact u have two gives me bass anxiety 😥 lol

[@janekgwizdala]

@@xquesmuah I have 4 with two more on the way... 🤷‍♀ It's part of the process of working on instruments and getting from prototype to finished product. It's nice to have some options at home for sure, but it's by no means a flex. Having lots of instruments is often way more hassle than value, and I recently sold a bunch as a result.

[@xquesmuah]

@@janekgwizdalatotally love the design. Right up my alley. Let me know if you need to make some room😂

[@Fix_My_Mix]

Broken Chords for Broken People

[@mastermachetier5594]

Please add broken chords to the title !

[@DVDFRMN]

I only watch videos where people are pointing at things in the thumbnail

[@janekgwizdala]

very good.