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Female bassists and your thoughts...
- Thread starter Zekkis09
- Start date
wintremute
mediocrity at its finest
- Oct 16, 2014
- 6,943
- 29,553
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Langstrom Carrot Farms
I wonder what happened to @Zekkis09. That was her only post, back in 2013. Did she ever find a band? Did she make her own band? Did she give up on bass? A mystery I wish we could solve.
I see those and I tend to reckon that either 1) some dude is looking for an instant girlfriend and wants a musician 'chick' who 'just gets him' because he's an over-indulged and overly introspective maggot with no self motivation or 2) some egomaniac guitarist wants a totally subordinate bassist to bully into playing root notes quietly and figures a girl will be easier to pick on or 3) some cynical greaseball looking to give their band an edge in the local dive-bar scene by having a bit of 'talent' onstage; a sort of submissive and un-ironically window dressing Joan Jett clone.
Those ads seem ubiquitous. A bit like ads for "We are two guitarists in our mid-30s seeking pro bassist, we are an unsigned act but we have a string of gigs coming up as our mate is a promoter, and we have four albums planned already. You must have pro-level gear (Fender/Ampeg only), no slapping or tapping, we are bringing back true hard rock. We are going to change the world. We sound a lot like Stone Temple Pilots, Queens of the Stone Age and Shinedown, but influences include Pink Floyd and the Beatles. Our mate Danny is filling in on drums just now (also happens to be the band's dealer, but owns a drum kit). Must be ready to rehearse 6 times a week and must have own transport. We rehearse at the drummer's place so leave all your gear set up here all the time. Must be ready to tour Europe extensively this time next year when we hit the big time".
Yeah. Alright. Ads need to be more honest:
"I have a chinstrap beard, work in Papa Johns, smell like I wash my hoodie in bong water and I was the first to learn how to tap in highschool. I still hold on to the cred of being the fastest guitarist in school, 8 years later. In the summer I go to metal festivals in Belgium and then wear the wrist bands to work until they turn brown and rot off my arm. I want to play prog metal but have neither the discipline or attention span to realistically achieve this. For this reason I'm settling for calling this a Post Rock project instead as it means I can play slower and still feel like I'm achieving something. I have a Line6 Vetta amp with damaged grill cloth, a crackly cable and an import Jackson superstrat with dirt on the fretboard. I want a Jazzmaster but have no concept of saving money. I'm going to replace the B string on the Jackson soon man, get off my case, we can practice then".
Wow, this thread... I'd say I can't believe it in this day and age, but considering the state of the world right now, I shouldn't be surprised.
Women are humans.
It bothers me when people are amazed that a woman is a musician, even when they are trying to be complimentary and mean well, it still comes off as misogynistic. "Wow, I can't believe theres a woman playing bass in this band, AND she's good" is tantamount to "i guess she's pretty good... for a girl". Like it's extra special that her feeble female brain can comprehend music and her dainty little hands have callouses on them. Much like us, women just want their music, skill, and tone to be appreciated regardless of anything else.
Sure, we all know those bands who want all of their (male) members to be young, fit, and good looking... even so, they aren't expected to go on stage in lingerie. Women in our society are held to much higher standards of physical appearance than men, and are supposed to show off their bodies. As a guy, you can be a little chunky and a little bald and still be considered attractive, still go on stage in jeans and a t-shirt... but girl, hide that cellulite, get a tan, do something with your hair, you've got a little bit of a muffin top there, wear a lower cut shirt, wear a shorter skirt, do some sexy stage moves, wear some spiked heels that you can barely walk in, let alone play and have stage presence in, etc etc etc.
And how many stories have we heard of male members being abusive to female members? Men are often subject to verbal and emotional abuse from band members, but with women, physical and sexual abuse are all too common as well.
On the other hand, I understand that it's ridiculously hard to get ahead in music, and you're going to give yourself any edge that you can. For women, this often means performing scantily clad and dealing with the thirsty creeps because it brings a few more heads through the door.
Women are humans. Treat them as such.
Women are humans.
It bothers me when people are amazed that a woman is a musician, even when they are trying to be complimentary and mean well, it still comes off as misogynistic. "Wow, I can't believe theres a woman playing bass in this band, AND she's good" is tantamount to "i guess she's pretty good... for a girl". Like it's extra special that her feeble female brain can comprehend music and her dainty little hands have callouses on them. Much like us, women just want their music, skill, and tone to be appreciated regardless of anything else.
Sure, we all know those bands who want all of their (male) members to be young, fit, and good looking... even so, they aren't expected to go on stage in lingerie. Women in our society are held to much higher standards of physical appearance than men, and are supposed to show off their bodies. As a guy, you can be a little chunky and a little bald and still be considered attractive, still go on stage in jeans and a t-shirt... but girl, hide that cellulite, get a tan, do something with your hair, you've got a little bit of a muffin top there, wear a lower cut shirt, wear a shorter skirt, do some sexy stage moves, wear some spiked heels that you can barely walk in, let alone play and have stage presence in, etc etc etc.
And how many stories have we heard of male members being abusive to female members? Men are often subject to verbal and emotional abuse from band members, but with women, physical and sexual abuse are all too common as well.
On the other hand, I understand that it's ridiculously hard to get ahead in music, and you're going to give yourself any edge that you can. For women, this often means performing scantily clad and dealing with the thirsty creeps because it brings a few more heads through the door.
Women are humans. Treat them as such.
@MarshallLaw I get your point but you must admit it is a rare thing. It captures attention. Music is primarily done by men. Unfortunatley. I wish it were not so. SO when you see a girl in a band rockin a bass. It stands out.
It just happens. Women are human -true. However they need to bass moar.
I wish more girls would come play soccer with us. Shoot skeet on the sporting clays course. But they are just not there. I wish it were not so, but from what i have seen with my 50 years of experiencing life this is the state of things.
It just happens. Women are human -true. However they need to bass moar.
I wish more girls would come play soccer with us. Shoot skeet on the sporting clays course. But they are just not there. I wish it were not so, but from what i have seen with my 50 years of experiencing life this is the state of things.
I understand that, but I think it's a symptom of many of the things that I mentioned - women would rather not deal with all the BS, so they avoid picking up an instrument altogether.
Our society also still dictates what hobbies and professions are feminine and acceptable for women, and being a musician isn't one of them. They should be knitting or something instead.
Those attitudes are slowly shifting towards equality...
I don't think people's preferences for a certain "look" or gender, or musical style, or age, is a "lack of equality." bands are private and voluntary organizations. They can hire whom they wish to. I don't see that there is anything "wrong" in music that there are so few whites in rap, or not enough old guys in rock and roll, or women bass players. It simply is a non-issue to me. I like a band or artist, or I don't. There is far too much of "there isn't equal representation of all genders/races/nationalities/blah blah" in whatever you're comparing without a consideration of 1. the pool available, 2. talent, 3. resilience, 4. effort, 5. personality -- and yeah, when it comes to bands, how you "look" often counts a great deal. That's life. not some sort of "sexism" or "age-ism" that is somehow unfair and needs to be rectified. Artists or bands either make it or they don't. I either like them or I don't. It was like the other night - the bemoaning of why more women didn't win Grammys. It makes me scratch my head -- because maybe there are explanations that simply transcend some sort of evil, sexist cabal pulling the strings? I know that's a position and a "card" a certain spectrum of politics always relies on when things don't fall out exactly as they wish them. I simply don't buy into it. It's more excuse than reality. I've not been hired for many gigs that had nothing to do with my abilities. *shrugs*. That's life. I wasn't necessarily what they were looking for in terms of my looks, my age, my personality or some combination thereof. but I don't immediately go "I AM BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST!" whenever I fail. I just push forward and move on. Not everyone wants you and it likely isn't because of your hue or what's between your legs.
ya think Public Enemy might consider me for their lineup? Doubtful. so what?
*shrugs*
ya think Public Enemy might consider me for their lineup? Doubtful. so what?
*shrugs*
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You're still giving this thread too much credit. The title is "female bassists" rather than "women bassists". Even more remote and weirdly hands-off than you suggest.
I loved the inroad earlier on into the weird and wacky world of the Billy Graham rule. Much fragile masculinity on show there, if you can bring yourself to go for a delve.
To quote one juicy corner:
"Having a female in a group, comprised mostly of men, is far too dangerous for the guys. All she has to say to a police officer is "He touched me". And you have had it. It could be (apparently) years later, and he is in deep do-do. Is it fair, probably not. But I never get in a predicament where there is a woman, and myself, where she could say something that may not be true. There is a rule that I follow and it's called "The Billy Graham Rule". I suggest that anyone who wishes, to look it up. It may save you a lot of money, headaches, reputation, and your family if your married."
I sometimes think that people with this much paranoia have much to hide.
And Graham has a misogynist and anti-semite.
You're still giving this thread too much credit. The title is "female bassists" rather than "women bassists". Even more remote and weirdly hands-off than you suggest.
I loved the inroad earlier on into the weird and wacky world of the Billy Graham rule. Much fragile masculinity on show there, if you can bring yourself to go for a delve.
To quote one juicy corner:
"Having a female in a group, comprised mostly of men, is far too dangerous for the guys. All she has to say to a police officer is "He touched me". And you have had it. It could be (apparently) years later, and he is in deep do-do. Is it fair, probably not. But I never get in a predicament where there is a woman, and myself, where she could say something that may not be true. There is a rule that I follow and it's called "The Billy Graham Rule". I suggest that anyone who wishes, to look it up. It may save you a lot of money, headaches, reputation, and your family if your married."
I sometimes think that people with this much paranoia have much to hide.
Yeeeesh. I googled the Billy Graham Rule. Can't say I'm surprised, but still...
One of my best friends in the world is a woman. We were friends for years before I met my wife. There was never anything more than friendship there. Now, her and my wife are also very close friends. My wife and I also both get along with her husband really well. Over the years, there have been many instances where her and I were alone together, or my wife and her husband were alone together, and guess what? Nothing weird or bad happened and we're all still great friends.
As far as fear of rape/groping/harassment accusations is concerned - look at the way those things are handled nowadays - you don't have much to worry about. Hell, you probably could actually do any of those things and get away with it. Women making those accusations are rarely taken seriously, and if it can be proven, well it was her fault anyway because of the way she dressed, she was overly friendly and sent signals, she had one too many drinks, etc.
Look at anyone from Bill Cosby to Brock Turner to our current President. So many sad examples of how women are viewed - they're just malicious psychopaths looking to screw up someone else's life with false accusations. Just for fun i guess? or maybe it was because she really wanted you, but you weren't interested and she was upset about it, so this is her revenge, right?
I'll be heartbroken when my parents pass, but I can't wait for these medieval attitudes to die with the baby boomers.
My thoughts??? Well, a lot of the pro ladies I have seen play are lot better than me, so I can't say much about that, except to say yes, I wish I could play that well. As far as image is concerned I still sometimes hear "I would never take on a 5 string player because it doesn't fit the image of my band." I try not to deal with these narrow minded people except at arms length. If you know what I mean. I try to play with people who have a different set of priorities than that and are a bit more open minded and try to seek them out at open mics., music stores, and other places. If that doesn't work, form your own band with Ladies only and prove them wrong.
LowNloud1
Commercial User
- Jun 11, 2012
- 711
- 1,100
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- I am a hobbyist making stone picks that I sell but mostly give away. They made me do this anyways.
While I see that most bands want to have players the same age, I get the feeling that younger players might tend to be more sexist in their relationship with you than older players. I could be totally wrong here because I have not walked in your shoes but I think older players might look more at ability than gender. Just my thoughts.
Not if they are looking to cover the female side of the singer spectrum.
True, but I'd rather have a person who can play and sing than have to add another person to pay.
Not sure a guy is going to be singing Etta James?
Try the "virtue signaling" with someone else.
I'm out.
