More female guitarists . . .

Anyone else here notice the the emergence/prominence of more and more female guitarists and bassists - and how awesome that is?!!

Seems everywhere you turn, there's another early 20's female axe-slinger rising up. We have Tal, a great bassist regardless of age or gender. Esperanza Spaulding, who plays upright AND sings beautifully at the same time . . .

Whenever I hear a feminista whine about lack of female involvement in 'male dominated' areas, I fire off a list of awesome female musicians in different genres. I point out that Guitar Center doesn't have a 'No Females' sign on the door or anything. Young girls are welcome and encouraged to pick up the axe and start learning. Hell, many of us in metal/prog land have been wondering where the ladies were going to show up!!

Lori Linstruth is a great example. Not only is she a melodic genius, but she shreds with the best of them. She has such an elegant way of piecing together a solo! But ask your average group of female music fans if they've ever heard of her . . . Sheesh!!

Whenever I'm confronted with feminista whining about glass ceilings and all that, I take great pleasure in firing off four or five female names who I think are at the forefront of music. If anything, it shows how art transcends gender. When you strap that guitar or bass on, the only thing that matters is whether or not you can do it.

[MonetBass]

Well, there were several who came before that broke down the barriers:

Nancy Wilson of Heart.

Liona Boyd.

More recently, Jennifer Batten.

[Euphony]

I'm trying to enjoy the reality of what you said about more women being involved in the music scene, but the condescending way you go about pointing that out kind of ruins it for me.

A lot of people still have different expectations for female musicians, or only care about their looks. You might not, but it's like you're wielding that against the "feministas."

How about supporting female musicians while also acknowledging that some in the music industry still have double standards?

Actually, I'm not being condescending, I'm being directly challenging. I don't have different expectations about female musicians, and I don't care about anyone who does. All I care about is what a musician produces.

As far as female musicians who bank on their looks; no one is twisting their arms to do it. There are no victims in that game, only volunteers.

I WILL support female musicians, but I don't much care about the double standard thing. There are a lot of double standards in the world. The best rise above them. What I support most is young women picking up an instrument and playing.

Originally Posted by Euphony

I'm trying to enjoy the reality of what you said about more women being involved in the music scene, but the condescending way you go about pointing that out kind of ruins it for me.

A lot of people still have different expectations for female musicians, or only care about their looks. You might not, but it's like you're wielding that against the "feministas."

How about supporting female musicians while also acknowledging that some in the music industry still have double standards?

[nsmar4211]

Haven't noticed it here. You can count the number of active female bass players here (4 county area) on a half a hand (sorry ladies, having a bass in the closet you "used" to play does not make you an active bass player. Dust that thing off!).

Female lead guitar players? I know of none gigging. I'm not counting singer/players, they're all chording. Know a couple of those gigging .

The reason for the increase IMHO is pure numbers. Looks like women are, lets say, 5% of the musical rock force (players, not singers). I *have* noticed an increase in the number of bands/ players, etc lately.... so if women are 5%, and the number of total players goes up, makes sense you'd see a few more out there.

And there really aren't that many female role models for young girls in the rock world. Most of them that are publicized are lauded for their looks. Unfortuantly, overweight/wrinkled/balding women have a heck of a lot harder time finding acceptance as players than men. Face it guys, you judge by looks first. Until we get some female executives in the higher ranks, the not so good lookers will be pushed aside unless they are 300% better than the competition.

Oh, and the guitar center comment.......no it doesn't have a "Men Only" sign above the door. However, I've met many salesMEN (had to point that out, never seen a woman working there) who have that mentality. A woman picking up the bass or guitar gets a "how cute" reaction. If she doesn't start shredding immediatly, everyone just gives her an awwwwww look. That said, I have met a few salesmen at gc who treat me like a player versus a woman, and guess who I get to ring me up (they are commissioned). Man, I could give a whole course on how to treat female customers at a music store. Hint #1: if they are eying 5 string basses, chances are good they are players and you shouldn't be condescending to them.....

BTW, how about some youtube links of women players ya'll respect?

Who cares about how someone at GC treats you? If you feel like they're being jerks, you can tell them, "Listen buddy, are you going to leave off with the attitude, or should I find someone else who wants a commission?" Toughening up never hurt anyone.

[nsmar4211]

The point of the GC comment wasnt about my personal ability to handle idiots, it was about how the perception of women as players is very much still skewed in the music industry.

Besides, I prefer to just go find someone else rather than telling someone to knock off the attitude. Then I report them to their manager .

[Euphony]

Originally Posted by jhan

Actually, I'm not being condescending, I'm being directly challenging. I don't have different expectations about female musicians, and I don't care about anyone who does. All I care about is what a musician produces.

As far as female musicians who bank on their looks; no one is twisting their arms to do it. There are no victims in that game, only volunteers.

I WILL support female musicians, but I don't much care about the double standard thing. There are a lot of double standards in the world. The best rise above them. What I support most is young women picking up an instrument and playing.

Well then, I'm not really sure what the point of this thread is. You support female musicians... Okay? So are you saying that it's women's fault for not being more involved in the music industry? That we should be really successful regardless of double standards? It just seems like you're more concerned with proving "feministas" wrong as opposed to actually being happy about women being more involved in the music industry. Is it really that you have a problem with women who talk openly about discrimination in music?

Basically, I'm just trying to understand the focus of this thread. You don't think sexism exists?