Well, I remember Billy Sheehan talking about flying just with one bass ( for clinics) and he said that the mainly reason for First Class Seat was taking the Bass with you on board with no problems. And Roscoe Beck "lost" the TWO signature basses he was touring with...so it is always a difficult decision to take. For long touring I always check one bass and take the other one with me in a good gig bag, at my own risk. Also, I can practice at the hotel with one of them. But thanks for the video, I'm sure most of musicians have to deal with this some day. Love the Chord Course btw, so musical form the very beginning. Thanks Janek.
Hey Janek! I totally agree about practicing away from your instrument. The first couple of hours that I practice each day is actually away from the guitar, just working on things that enhance my overall musicianship (ear training, sight singing, rhythm exercises, etc). Thanks for the video clip, you guys all sounded awesome!
I have a 5,000+ violin. I’m keeping it with me. Less stress than a stranger throwing it around. If I had a cheap bass I would check it. Maybe don’t judge 🤷🏽♂️
Violin will fit in almost any overhead on any aircraft. Take a look at the size of the gig bag the musician in this video is trying to bring onto the plane, and then take a look at the size of the plane. It's a CRJ170. 2+2 in economy, and 2+1 in first class. The overheads are tiny. No way his instrument fits in one. It's just lack of experience when you bring a gig bag that size onto an aircraft that small. I'm not judging him, it's simple physics I think. And the more people are aware of good flight case options, and how to organize their travel so "lost" luggage becomes less of an issue, the better. It relieves so much stress when moving through airports and boarding planes.
Man, I remember the stress you had to go through with air nz when you came here. I've always checked my guitar in and have a good flight case. Not worth the hassle, especially here in nz.
The worst!!! Look at me answering two year old youtube comments! Someone commented today, I got a ping, and now I see a shit ton of comments without replies... Looking forward to coming back to NZ at some point in the not too distant future too. 2020 could be the year to really roll around the world a couple of times with the new manager/agent I'm working with. 🤞🏻
You often talk about travelling with your bass, do you know how drummers carry their drums around ? if a drummer is in a new york, he must have a car right ? Or for the case of touring, a drummer can't take their drums on the plane right ?
I think it's been at least 25 years since there were a lot of drummers taking drums on tour with them, and using air freight or simply checking them on a flight. There are probably some exceptions I'm sure, but the norm, during my career at least, has been cymbals, kick pedal, and sticks. Sometimes a snare drum? or an item of hand percussion..? but that's about it. I know my friend Jojo Mayer did a clinic world tour not too long ago, and the drum company did actually fly the entire drum set with them for three months on the road. But I think this was because it was a one-of-a-kind set that they were either promoting or launching, and it just wasn't possible to backline it anywhere in the world because only one existed at the time. Needless to say, it was an inconceivable amount of overweight on every flight, and a massive pain in the ass to ship. Then there are extreme cases like Joey Baron for instance. I don't know him personally, but from what I've been told, he carries nothing but a pair of sticks with him on the road. And I mean literally nothing else. A wallet with his passport, and a pair of sticks. Washes his clothes in the hotel room, and keeps it super streamlined. Again, I've only heard stories, but if that's even slightly accurate it's a pretty amazing concept if you can stick to it.
I made a rather rude and ridiculous comment earlier, I want to do a better job stating my opinion and offering a counter to what Janek says about the gentleman attempting to carry-on his guitar. Not all of us are rich enough to buy a seat for our guitar on a plane or to fly first class. I rarely travel with a guitar because I won't risk it even with a proper case due to the conditions in the hold. It is not climate controlled, and even a solid body guitar can have glue joints loosened, bracing damaged, tops cracking, checking, cracking in the finish etc. Furthermore, most guitarists would not know where to locate a proper flight case anyway. Your Hardshell case you get at guitar center is simply not going to stand up the abuse I've personally seen going on at airports. Last fall I was at Reagan in DC and watched a baggage handler literally kicking luggage--he was unaware that where he was wound up being visible from the terminal. I mentioned it to the people at the desk, but I have no idea if anything was actually done about it. Various professionals have had guitars damaged in "proper flight cases," and that's been documented many, many, many times. I also know close friends who have had issues in SKB Flight cases and similar stuff from Gator as well. I don't think this guy is being stupid, or doesn't care about others--maybe you're right in this particular instance--but based on what I know, he's probably doing the only thing he knows to do to make it work for him. Theft, and damage is a real thing in shipping and flights--that's why everyone panics and/or has opinions on it. If it was rare, these stories wouldn't permeate every guitarists nightmares. My solution is a simple one, I bought a headless Kiesel for a trip I'm taking to Texas. It will be carried on, and I will attempt to stow it in an overhead--with any luck, that will work out to my advantage and I won't wind up having to make an insurance claim with my musicians insurance/travel insurance. I say this with the utmost respect, but for professional players who don't make a lot of money, checking a guitar is the only logical option. Saying that guy is a jerk or whatever your actual remark was makes you look like an elitist snob, and I would definitely consider rethinking how you portray yourself to the world. We are all definitely guilty of those moments--clearly I was earlier this evening as well when I posted my original comment--which was obviously meant for shock value and sarcasm. I want to apologize about my earlier comments, as they were slightly vindictive and arrogant, If I run into you in an airport, I would gladly buy you a beer to make up for it.
Whoever said the guy was a jerk for carrying his guitar on? Don't put words in my mouth to suit your narrative. What I said, very clearly in the video, is "Every time I see musicians getting on the plane with an instrument, I really want to hip them to the ease of what it means to check the bass or the guitar". So the sentiment behind what I said, not that it isn't completely obvious, is to HELP another musician by talking to them about the benefits of checking an instrument vs carrying it on I think very carefully about "how I portray myself to the world", and consequently don't ever tell people they look like an elitist snob. Especially if I have completely misread the situation as I believe you have done in this case. The amount of money you make, or the class of service you travel in, has nothing to do with checking your instrument. I have never bought, or had anyone else buy me, a seat in any class of cabin for my instrument. And in justifying the way you're going to travel with your instrument, you've used an example of a guitar which is literally the size of a tennis racket, and can be completely hidden from any prying eyes of gate agents or cabin crew, and will fit in virtually any overhead bin on any plane ever made. The person I referenced in this video was carrying either a jumbo country acoustic, or a double electric bag, onto an CRJ-175. And as you can see from the video, wasn't getting past the first few rows before realizing it wasn't going to fit in the cabin anywhere. Not even in a closet up front. So again, I reference a) the fact that I have taken 50+ flights a year for the past 20 years, and did carry the bass on for maybe half of that time. It was a massive pain in the ass regardless of ticket class or airline status, and b) that I've been using an SKB bass safe and had zero damage to any instrument I've ever travelled with. I will say the buckle isn't great on it, but there are ways to modify it so it will never be an issue. That, in combination with a high quality leather gig bag inside, and the baggage handlers can play football with it for an hour and there won't be a scratch on it. And maybe one day I'll be proven wrong. Maybe once... maybe twice.? who knows? But if you're that concerned with a few scratches on an instrument, maybe you should be traveling with something that you're a little less emotionally or financially attached to. You're more likely to have a tech, roadie, stage crew, band member or drunk member of the public knock it off the stand onstage and destroy it, than you are flying with it.
Janek Gwizdala Again, you are a higher level of musician than most. 50+ fly dates a year is quite a bit more than most musicians-so yes I would agree. I don’t think my problem with how it came off is actually you at all-after rewatching, I think it’s the edit more than anything. It’s a very quick comment and I didn’t have enough context to understand what was going on. Mostly because I was in the middle of editing a video-which is totally my fault. So formally, I want to apologize. I appreciate you taking the time to explain it. You and I both know that image is an important thing and taking the time out to have a rational discussion about this is great. And yes, I do want to mention, that guy, was doing it wrong lol. He was carrying something huge and ridiculous into a plane where he ultimately probably would’ve ended up checking it anyway. Do you recall what actually happened there? I just perceived it wrong. The man was probably not a professional (I’m not either) and didn’t know any better. I do know other people who travel at least as many dates as you that have basically 3-4 guitars, all of them with significant emotional and financial value attached. Buying the Kiesel I did, makes it problematic as, though it’s a travel guitar it’s incredibly well built and I’d be very upset if anything happened to it, despite having other guitars that I’m way more attached too. Traveling with a bass is a bigger pita than someone who travels with a solid body electric for sure. In my case, I’d rather actually check for convenience, but after I saw pictures of $900 carbon fiber cases fail due to bad handling and/or criminal levels of negligence I opted to get a smaller instrument and just carry it on. I’m convinced that commercial airlines and instruments won’t mix unless the FAA puts some teeth into the instrument rules. As a point of reference as I’ve been exploring this more I’ve met a few people who fly 75-100 dates a year who are still carrying on electric guitars in gig bags because they can’t afford down time due to damage or lost items. The number of claims of damaged/lost items is something like 3 million per year as well so I get it. There is definitely a legitimate fear. I’m glad to hear that SKB is actually shipping real flight cases now, because 10 years ago, I ordered a case from them from GC and got one with an unapproved latch 4 times before GC admitted they were filling orders with the wrong product. I basically gave up on it for a long time as most of my fly-in trips are for a few days and I’m in no way a pro. Have you done any videos talking about traveling with an instrument where you show how you pack your basses? I think it might save a lot of people some hassle. Edit: I want to point out that your points above are all excellent. I thought it was clear I was paraphrasing when I said the word Jerk-I couldn’t think of what I really meant to say was that it seemed condescending, and that I probably wouldn’t have posted it myself-but trust me our podcast can get pretty rough and I’m sure I’ve been perceived this way dozens of times before lol.
Man... I've a flight this week (KLM) and need to take my 3 basses and amp all the way from Europe to America... Good to see this video because gonna be først time flying with instruments... Obviously i should check in my 2 basses, because they only allow 1 instrument in cabin. They gonna be in hard cases but I often see airport stuff from plane's window, throwing away luggages from luggage carrier car to plane and plane to car so I'm kinda worried, expensive/valuable instruments duh... Do you think I can take one bass to the cabin in hard case? Airline customer representative didn't understand what I meant with hard case and bass guitar on the phone so I need some help... Now I understand why most bands have their own jet, for their bass guitars to be comfortable.
Hey Janek ! Two things! Firstly, the New Book is brilliant! Genuinely outstanding! Also - I'm interested to hear how you feel your role changes or how the music changes when you compare playing with a keys player or guitarist - like with bobs band - normally with Ruslan, and then last gig with Nir - do you feel you play differently to accomodate the different texture/instrument? Approach things in a different way? Really interested!
Just totally different setups when you think about Nir and Ruslan. But it's really not about the instrumentation, and mostly about the player. When the musician is good, you really don't have the think about the difference in instrumentation. It's only when you get someone who really doesn't know what they're doing, on either instrument, that you have to start trouble shooting and coming up with ways to survive.
Haven't flown in almost two years. But I love the once a month gig we do two hours away. Its a lot of fun making playlists for. Also awesome that you are a fan of Hans Zimmer I love the inception soundtrack and the last samurai soundtrack. Would love to hear one of your looping solo pieces but as a duet Tina Guo playing cello. Really dig how she takes the simple parts with the Hans Zimmer stuff but has so much expression in her playing
+Janek Gwizdala how do you not need music on these gigs? I notice so many music stands, but you don't have one. I had one in orchestra, but didn't really need it playing Bach over and over. Is it the same for you?
well if you think of it in the way that some of us (including me) carry instruments like violins, that should be considered by the airline to be small but aren’t because they insist on being difficult. instruments like violins are incredibly fragile, as they’re made of wood, so if you were to drop one on a hard floor it would completely shatter. imagine how a violin would stand in a non pressurised and non temperature regulated cargo hold on a plane, not to mention with the suitcases around it crushing the small case.
I'm totally with you on carrying a violin onboard. Although there are some incredibly robust flights cases out there that include pressurization, and an indestructible environment within the case. I totally get carrying a smaller instrument on the plane. And I also know that even though the violin case can be way smaller than a bass or a guitar, airlines are assholes, and give you a super hard time about it. But... The violin is a) far easier to hide if it's slung over the shoulder farthest from the side you're showing your boarding pass at the gate and b) still small enough to fit in almost any overhead on any plane once you get it onboard. I also highly recommend doing all your miles with one airline/alliance, so you consistently have status, and therefore are allowed far more leeway when it comes to carryon luggage.
I did use the SKB Bass Safe. But I've been through 5 of them now in 4 years. The case is amazing. Best design on the market. But the piece of crap plastic buckle they use is pointless. It keeps getting smashed. So until they get their act together and build something sturdy, I'm off that case for now. Looking at stuff by reunion blues at the moment for an upcoming tour. New Vlog about flight cases coming soon!
Zero stress if you pack your bass the right way. And from 30 years of experience I can tell you that they don’t let the bass on most of the time. Some of the time, yes. But those times they don’t; you’re stuck at the boarding gate with your bass in a gig bag. You really want the stress of that instrument being gate checked in a soft case? I know I don’t. I’d rather it got delayed and I had to borrow one for a gig than know there was a good chance it was getting seriously damaged.
So is it safe to take instruments on a plane? I'm moving America now but it takes about 2 months for my piano to arrive so I plan to take my keyboard but is it safe to take it on plane? Please tell me
Hello Janek. I find it difficult to make time to practice during the week. By the time I get home shower, eat, prepare for the next day and spend time with my wife; I'm lucky to squeeze in 30 minutes. I don't know how to make the most out of the time I have. I do drive quite a bit for work. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. PS: I'm eating Siggi's with granola for breakfast several times a week now.
guilt·y pleas·ure noun something, such as a movie, television program, or piece of music, that one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard.
lambert1702 Right, so perhaps JG doesn't hold "not working" in such high regard, in which case any leisure time qualifies. It's a loose use of the term "guilty pleasure", but who cares?
Who cares? I guess the same sort of person that would subscribe to and consistently watch an esoteric bass youtube channel. Or it could be I was merely have a bit of fun with "JG" who I suspect might actually get the humor. You decide...
To be honest I would feel very worried if they had checked an orchestral instrument in to the cargo, because many suitcases when they are loaded onto the plane or taken off, the suitcases or luggage would be thrown
Gotta know your flight case options. There are indestructible cases out there that don't care if you pile 1 or 100 suitcases on top of them. I understand they're not in everyone's price range, but if you're traveling on a regular basis, you have to invest in the right tools for your trade. And the lowering of stress levels, if you don't have status with an airline and are constantly battling to get them to let you on the plane with your instrument, will add years to your life.
Hey Janek, have you ever tried those microbasses or U-basses? Do you think they will sound close to the 30inch basses with tapewounds? What do you think?
I'm not Janek but I have expertise here. Micro/Us will sound like a more extreme/left-field version of 30" w tapes. Think tubbier, more fundamental, even faster decay. They'll sound a lot like a kick drum with a pitch, especially the U.
Big difference between lost and delayed I think. I’m pretty sure most luggage that doesn’t arrive with the traveler is delayed, and rarely lost. Now, with the use of an apple AirTag, you can always know where your bags are. Well worth investing in some tags if you travel often.
Lost not delayed. Of course 2 million in I don’t know how many that arrive safely. It’s a small proportion but bad luck happens. I travel with my GS mini bass in the cabin 😊
Well, I remember Billy Sheehan talking about flying just with one bass ( for clinics) and he said that the mainly reason for First Class Seat was taking the Bass with you on board with no problems.
And Roscoe Beck "lost" the TWO signature basses he was touring with...so it is always a difficult decision to take.
For long touring I always check one bass and take the other one with me in a good gig bag, at my own risk. Also, I can practice at the hotel with one of them.
But thanks for the video, I'm sure most of musicians have to deal with this some day.
Love the Chord Course btw, so musical form the very beginning. Thanks Janek.
Hey Janek! I totally agree about practicing away from your instrument. The first couple of hours that I practice each day is actually away from the guitar, just working on things that enhance my overall musicianship (ear training, sight singing, rhythm exercises, etc). Thanks for the video clip, you guys all sounded awesome!
I have a 5,000+ violin. I’m keeping it with me. Less stress than a stranger throwing it around. If I had a cheap bass I would check it. Maybe don’t judge 🤷🏽♂️
Violin will fit in almost any overhead on any aircraft. Take a look at the size of the gig bag the musician in this video is trying to bring onto the plane, and then take a look at the size of the plane. It's a CRJ170. 2+2 in economy, and 2+1 in first class. The overheads are tiny. No way his instrument fits in one. It's just lack of experience when you bring a gig bag that size onto an aircraft that small. I'm not judging him, it's simple physics I think. And the more people are aware of good flight case options, and how to organize their travel so "lost" luggage becomes less of an issue, the better. It relieves so much stress when moving through airports and boarding planes.
Man, I remember the stress you had to go through with air nz when you came here. I've always checked my guitar in and have a good flight case. Not worth the hassle, especially here in nz.
The worst!!! Look at me answering two year old youtube comments! Someone commented today, I got a ping, and now I see a shit ton of comments without replies... Looking forward to coming back to NZ at some point in the not too distant future too. 2020 could be the year to really roll around the world a couple of times with the new manager/agent I'm working with. 🤞🏻
You often talk about travelling with your bass, do you know how drummers carry their drums around ? if a drummer is in a new york, he must have a car right ? Or for the case of touring, a drummer can't take their drums on the plane right ?
StompL7 all clubs have drums as part of their back line...so basically you just bring your cymbals sticks snare and pedals.
I think it's been at least 25 years since there were a lot of drummers taking drums on tour with them, and using air freight or simply checking them on a flight. There are probably some exceptions I'm sure, but the norm, during my career at least, has been cymbals, kick pedal, and sticks. Sometimes a snare drum? or an item of hand percussion..? but that's about it. I know my friend Jojo Mayer did a clinic world tour not too long ago, and the drum company did actually fly the entire drum set with them for three months on the road. But I think this was because it was a one-of-a-kind set that they were either promoting or launching, and it just wasn't possible to backline it anywhere in the world because only one existed at the time. Needless to say, it was an inconceivable amount of overweight on every flight, and a massive pain in the ass to ship. Then there are extreme cases like Joey Baron for instance. I don't know him personally, but from what I've been told, he carries nothing but a pair of sticks with him on the road. And I mean literally nothing else. A wallet with his passport, and a pair of sticks. Washes his clothes in the hotel room, and keeps it super streamlined. Again, I've only heard stories, but if that's even slightly accurate it's a pretty amazing concept if you can stick to it.
@@janekgwizdala I know I'm late sorry but should I travel a 12 string with American Airlines or just leave it behing
I made a rather rude and ridiculous comment earlier, I want to do a better job stating my opinion and offering a counter to what Janek says about the gentleman attempting to carry-on his guitar.
Not all of us are rich enough to buy a seat for our guitar on a plane or to fly first class. I rarely travel with a guitar because I won't risk it even with a proper case due to the conditions in the hold. It is not climate controlled, and even a solid body guitar can have glue joints loosened, bracing damaged, tops cracking, checking, cracking in the finish etc.
Furthermore, most guitarists would not know where to locate a proper flight case anyway. Your Hardshell case you get at guitar center is simply not going to stand up the abuse I've personally seen going on at airports. Last fall I was at Reagan in DC and watched a baggage handler literally kicking luggage--he was unaware that where he was wound up being visible from the terminal. I mentioned it to the people at the desk, but I have no idea if anything was actually done about it.
Various professionals have had guitars damaged in "proper flight cases," and that's been documented many, many, many times. I also know close friends who have had issues in SKB Flight cases and similar stuff from Gator as well. I don't think this guy is being stupid, or doesn't care about others--maybe you're right in this particular instance--but based on what I know, he's probably doing the only thing he knows to do to make it work for him. Theft, and damage is a real thing in shipping and flights--that's why everyone panics and/or has opinions on it. If it was rare, these stories wouldn't permeate every guitarists nightmares. My solution is a simple one, I bought a headless Kiesel for a trip I'm taking to Texas. It will be carried on, and I will attempt to stow it in an overhead--with any luck, that will work out to my advantage and I won't wind up having to make an insurance claim with my musicians insurance/travel insurance.
I say this with the utmost respect, but for professional players who don't make a lot of money, checking a guitar is the only logical option. Saying that guy is a jerk or whatever your actual remark was makes you look like an elitist snob, and I would definitely consider rethinking how you portray yourself to the world.
We are all definitely guilty of those moments--clearly I was earlier this evening as well when I posted my original comment--which was obviously meant for shock value and sarcasm.
I want to apologize about my earlier comments, as they were slightly vindictive and arrogant, If I run into you in an airport, I would gladly buy you a beer to make up for it.
Whoever said the guy was a jerk for carrying his guitar on? Don't put words in my mouth to suit your narrative. What I said, very clearly in the video, is "Every time I see musicians getting on the plane with an instrument, I really want to hip them to the ease of what it means to check the bass or the guitar". So the sentiment behind what I said, not that it isn't completely obvious, is to HELP another musician by talking to them about the benefits of checking an instrument vs carrying it on
I think very carefully about "how I portray myself to the world", and consequently don't ever tell people they look like an elitist snob. Especially if I have completely misread the situation as I believe you have done in this case.
The amount of money you make, or the class of service you travel in, has nothing to do with checking your instrument. I have never bought, or had anyone else buy me, a seat in any class of cabin for my instrument.
And in justifying the way you're going to travel with your instrument, you've used an example of a guitar which is literally the size of a tennis racket, and can be completely hidden from any prying eyes of gate agents or cabin crew, and will fit in virtually any overhead bin on any plane ever made.
The person I referenced in this video was carrying either a jumbo country acoustic, or a double electric bag, onto an CRJ-175. And as you can see from the video, wasn't getting past the first few rows before realizing it wasn't going to fit in the cabin anywhere. Not even in a closet up front.
So again, I reference a) the fact that I have taken 50+ flights a year for the past 20 years, and did carry the bass on for maybe half of that time. It was a massive pain in the ass regardless of ticket class or airline status, and b) that I've been using an SKB bass safe and had zero damage to any instrument I've ever travelled with. I will say the buckle isn't great on it, but there are ways to modify it so it will never be an issue. That, in combination with a high quality leather gig bag inside, and the baggage handlers can play football with it for an hour and there won't be a scratch on it. And maybe one day I'll be proven wrong. Maybe once... maybe twice.? who knows? But if you're that concerned with a few scratches on an instrument, maybe you should be traveling with something that you're a little less emotionally or financially attached to. You're more likely to have a tech, roadie, stage crew, band member or drunk member of the public knock it off the stand onstage and destroy it, than you are flying with it.
Janek Gwizdala Again, you are a higher level of musician than most. 50+ fly dates a year is quite a bit more than most musicians-so yes I would agree. I don’t think my problem with how it came off is actually you at all-after rewatching, I think it’s the edit more than anything. It’s a very quick comment and I didn’t have enough context to understand what was going on. Mostly because I was in the middle of editing a video-which is totally my fault. So formally, I want to apologize.
I appreciate you taking the time to explain it. You and I both know that image is an important thing and taking the time out to have a rational discussion about this is great.
And yes, I do want to mention, that guy, was doing it wrong lol. He was carrying something huge and ridiculous into a plane where he ultimately probably would’ve ended up checking it anyway. Do you recall what actually happened there? I just perceived it wrong. The man was probably not a professional (I’m not either) and didn’t know any better. I do know other people who travel at least as many dates as you that have basically 3-4 guitars, all of them with significant emotional and financial value attached. Buying the Kiesel I did, makes it problematic as, though it’s a travel guitar it’s incredibly well built and I’d be very upset if anything happened to it, despite having other guitars that I’m way more attached too.
Traveling with a bass is a bigger pita than someone who travels with a solid body electric for sure. In my case, I’d rather actually check for convenience, but after I saw pictures of $900 carbon fiber cases fail due to bad handling and/or criminal levels of negligence I opted to get a smaller instrument and just carry it on. I’m convinced that commercial airlines and instruments won’t mix unless the FAA puts some teeth into the instrument rules. As a point of reference as I’ve been exploring this more I’ve met a few people who fly 75-100 dates a year who are still carrying on electric guitars in gig bags because they can’t afford down time due to damage or lost items. The number of claims of damaged/lost items is something like 3 million per year as well so I get it. There is definitely a legitimate fear.
I’m glad to hear that SKB is actually shipping real flight cases now, because 10 years ago, I ordered a case from them from GC and got one with an unapproved latch 4 times before GC admitted they were filling orders with the wrong product. I basically gave up on it for a long time as most of my fly-in trips are for a few days and I’m in no way a pro.
Have you done any videos talking about traveling with an instrument where you show how you pack your basses? I think it might save a lot of people some hassle.
Edit: I want to point out that your points above are all excellent. I thought it was clear I was paraphrasing when I said the word Jerk-I couldn’t think of what I really meant to say was that it seemed condescending, and that I probably wouldn’t have posted it myself-but trust me our podcast can get pretty rough and I’m sure I’ve been perceived this way dozens of times before lol.
Come to bogota 🇨🇴 and you’ll see the hell traffic, LA traffic is the heaven compared with BOG traffic.
Greetings from Colombia, 👍🎸🎸
Thanks for the reminder about the positive music listening time in traffic....I log a lot of time on the 405, and sometimes the 405 wins.
Man... I've a flight this week (KLM) and need to take my 3 basses and amp all the way from Europe to America... Good to see this video because gonna be først time flying with instruments... Obviously i should check in my 2 basses, because they only allow 1 instrument in cabin. They gonna be in hard cases but I often see airport stuff from plane's window, throwing away luggages from luggage carrier car to plane and plane to car so I'm kinda worried, expensive/valuable instruments duh... Do you think I can take one bass to the cabin in hard case? Airline customer representative didn't understand what I meant with hard case and bass guitar on the phone so I need some help... Now I understand why most bands have their own jet, for their bass guitars to be comfortable.
Hey Janek ! Two things!
Firstly, the New Book is brilliant! Genuinely outstanding!
Also - I'm interested to hear how you feel your role changes or how the music changes when you compare playing with a keys player or guitarist - like with bobs band - normally with Ruslan, and then last gig with Nir - do you feel you play differently to accomodate the different texture/instrument? Approach things in a different way?
Really interested!
Just totally different setups when you think about Nir and Ruslan. But it's really not about the instrumentation, and mostly about the player. When the musician is good, you really don't have the think about the difference in instrumentation. It's only when you get someone who really doesn't know what they're doing, on either instrument, that you have to start trouble shooting and coming up with ways to survive.
What flight case you recommend I travel without my bass cause I worry about them throwing my equipment around and breaking my bass
Haven't flown in almost two years. But I love the once a month gig we do two hours away. Its a lot of fun making playlists for. Also awesome that you are a fan of Hans Zimmer I love the inception soundtrack and the last samurai soundtrack. Would love to hear one of your looping solo pieces but as a duet Tina Guo playing cello. Really dig how she takes the simple parts with the Hans Zimmer stuff but has so much expression in her playing
+Janek Gwizdala how do you not need music on these gigs? I notice so many music stands, but you don't have one. I had one in orchestra, but didn't really need it playing Bach over and over. Is it the same for you?
Repetition. I've played with Bob for over 20 years...
well if you think of it in the way that some of us (including me) carry instruments like violins, that should be considered by the airline to be small but aren’t because they insist on being difficult. instruments like violins are incredibly fragile, as they’re made of wood, so if you were to drop one on a hard floor it would completely shatter. imagine how a violin would stand in a non pressurised and non temperature regulated cargo hold on a plane, not to mention with the suitcases around it crushing the small case.
I'm totally with you on carrying a violin onboard. Although there are some incredibly robust flights cases out there that include pressurization, and an indestructible environment within the case. I totally get carrying a smaller instrument on the plane. And I also know that even though the violin case can be way smaller than a bass or a guitar, airlines are assholes, and give you a super hard time about it. But... The violin is a) far easier to hide if it's slung over the shoulder farthest from the side you're showing your boarding pass at the gate and b) still small enough to fit in almost any overhead on any plane once you get it onboard. I also highly recommend doing all your miles with one airline/alliance, so you consistently have status, and therefore are allowed far more leeway when it comes to carryon luggage.
No vlog music? :(
Is it just me or does he get better food on the plane than I do
such a beautiful tune, what is the name of the song?
I don't have a flight case for any of my basses. What kind do you use?
I did use the SKB Bass Safe. But I've been through 5 of them now in 4 years. The case is amazing. Best design on the market. But the piece of crap plastic buckle they use is pointless. It keeps getting smashed. So until they get their act together and build something sturdy, I'm off that case for now. Looking at stuff by reunion blues at the moment for an upcoming tour. New Vlog about flight cases coming soon!
Nice I guess I will leave my bass at home. Dang
41x14 soft bag
Nahhh most of the times you are allowed to take it on the plane. More stressful to have it checked knowing how they treat the luggages.
Zero stress if you pack your bass the right way.
And from 30 years of experience I can tell you that they don’t let the bass on most of the time. Some of the time, yes. But those times they don’t; you’re stuck at the boarding gate with your bass in a gig bag. You really want the stress of that instrument being gate checked in a soft case? I know I don’t. I’d rather it got delayed and I had to borrow one for a gig than know there was a good chance it was getting seriously damaged.
@@janekgwizdala in the UK you are allowed to bring the bass in the cabin for an extra fee. Simple
do you think they let my harmonica in??
So is it safe to take instruments on a plane? I'm moving America now but it takes about 2 months for my piano to arrive so I plan to take my keyboard but is it safe to take it on plane? Please tell me
Hello Janek. I find it difficult to make time to practice during the week. By the time I get home shower, eat, prepare for the next day and spend time with my wife; I'm lucky to squeeze in 30 minutes. I don't know how to make the most out of the time I have. I do drive quite a bit for work. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. PS: I'm eating Siggi's with granola for breakfast several times a week now.
Can you take a speaker for an electric bass on airplane or is there limit size or weight ?
Why is watching tennis a "guilty pleasure?" I don't think that term means what you think it means Janek.... :)
lambert1702 Maybe because he could have used that time to get some more work done instead...? His relentless work ethic was guilt-tripping him ;)
guilt·y pleas·ure
noun
something, such as a movie, television program, or piece of music, that one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard.
I had the same question, haha. It's not exactly TMZ or something
lambert1702 Right, so perhaps JG doesn't hold "not working" in such high regard, in which case any leisure time qualifies. It's a loose use of the term "guilty pleasure", but who cares?
Who cares? I guess the same sort of person that would subscribe to and consistently watch an esoteric bass youtube channel. Or it could be I was merely have a bit of fun with "JG" who I suspect might actually get the humor. You decide...
To be honest I would feel very worried if they had checked an orchestral instrument in to the cargo, because many suitcases when they are loaded onto the plane or taken off, the suitcases or luggage would be thrown
Gotta know your flight case options. There are indestructible cases out there that don't care if you pile 1 or 100 suitcases on top of them. I understand they're not in everyone's price range, but if you're traveling on a regular basis, you have to invest in the right tools for your trade. And the lowering of stress levels, if you don't have status with an airline and are constantly battling to get them to let you on the plane with your instrument, will add years to your life.
This sounds trivial but super important, thanks non-coffee drinker! :)
Hey Janek, have you ever tried those microbasses or U-basses? Do you think they will sound close to the 30inch basses with tapewounds? What do you think?
I'm not Janek but I have expertise here. Micro/Us will sound like a more extreme/left-field version of 30" w tapes. Think tubbier, more fundamental, even faster decay. They'll sound a lot like a kick drum with a pitch, especially the U.
subschool5 that definitely seems like it through UA-cam, nothing against the ubass and the others, but is really hard to even hear them in some videos
Why I heard covid drinkers
I have to carry my pain I would they left me fly with it
Two million luggages lost every year in the US
Big difference between lost and delayed I think. I’m pretty sure most luggage that doesn’t arrive with the traveler is delayed, and rarely lost.
Now, with the use of an apple AirTag, you can always know where your bags are. Well worth investing in some tags if you travel often.
Lost not delayed. Of course 2 million in I don’t know how many that arrive safely. It’s a small proportion but bad luck happens. I travel with my GS mini bass in the cabin 😊
thanks so much for posting this
Nice music!
perfect!
JG!