Jazz Guitar Life FAQ

JGL: Would you explain why you decided to create a site like this?

Lyle: Sure. I wanted to create a site that would be a resource for those younger guys and gals who are thinking about getting into jazz guitar as a profession and don't know what to expect. I remember when I was younger, I didn't have a lot of friends who were working musicians and so I was always curious as to just how much of a living one could make as a working jazz professional. Then as I got older, I realized that there are a lot of working jazz guitarists who I would never hear about but who contribute daily to this musical art with little or no fanfare. So this site came about as a way for me to not only provide younger players with some real, in the trenches, experiences, but to also pay tribute to those jazz guitarists who may or may not get the recognition they so deserve. Plus, I really do dig jazz guitar so it's fun to check out players I have never heard of before and hopefully build some kind of online community where others will get a chance to know whose out there keeping the flame burning bright.

JGL: How come I don't know any of these guitar players. Where are the big guys like Benson or Scofield?

Lyle: You may not know who these guitar players are (yet) but that doesn't make them any less interesting. These are individuals who give their all to this music and thus, should be acknowledged and appreciated for what they do. Basically they are the "blue collar" workers of Jazz Guitar and if you are seriously thinking about a career as a Jazz Guitar player you need to hear what they have to say, since they are living the life that so many of us want to accomplish. This is not to slight the higher profiles guitar players and if it happens that I may one day be able to interview them as well, then so be it. But for now, I think there are Jazz Guitar players in the trenches who can provide the reader with much valued insight into being a day by day Jazz Guitar player.

JGL: Will you just be focussing on the amateur jazz guitar player then?

Lyle: Well to me, if you are making a living playing jazz guitar, then there's nothing amateur about that at all. This is what I think is so great about www.jazzguitarlife.com, it deals with the ongoing, everyday act of making a living as a jazz guitarist. That's where I feel the real meat of the matter is. How does being a jazz guitarist, or a jazz musician for that matter affect other areas of your life? Do your friends dig it? Are your parents supportive of this kind of lifestyle, or were there problems that needed to be overcome before you could venture out into the world of the professional musician? These questions and more are my primary concern and I hope to be able to tackle any number of them by going right to the source. And as the site grows, I hope it will benefit those who have questions of their own on how to deal with the complexities of being a musician as well as the complexities of being a healthy and happy individual doing what they love to do.

JGL: Can I send you promotional material for review on this site?

Lyle: Yes you can. Please email me with the details of what you would like reviewed or otherwise advertised and I will add it to this site ASAP.

JGL: I know someone you should interview for his site, can I send you thier names and info to get in touch with them?

Lyle: Most definitely. I am always interested in anyone who makes their living as a Jazz Guitar player. Or anybody for that matter who contributes to this art in a career fashion. If you have anyone in mind please email me and let me know.

JGL: What are your future goals for jazzguitarlife.com?

Lyle: I just want to keep coming up with quality content for the readers of jazzguitarlife.com. Which means more interveiws, reviews, tips, and more stuff. I truly believe that the site can be a valued resource for those seeking information on Jazz Guitar and I also believe that this site can also be fun...which should be the main ingredient to anyone's life.

Lyle Robinson