Oh and for the record, any musician who ever gigged knows that female band member=twice the audience, thrice the following.
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Female bassists and your thoughts...
- Thread starter Zekkis09
- Start date
I've played with female musicians in secular, Christian and worship bands. Gender has never been an issue with me or the people I play with. Audiences love them. I'd rather watch a woman play than watch geezers like me.
and if they don't hear that, then forget about them..
But as a PS, I am a bit uncomfortable with female musicians who sell T & A too hard. It comes across to me like their bodies are more important than what they play. It detracts from being accepted as a good player, and makes others see them as sex objects, not musicians.
But as a PS, I am a bit uncomfortable with female musicians who sell T & A too hard. It comes across to me like their bodies are more important than what they play. It detracts from being accepted as a good player, and makes others see them as sex objects, not musicians.
Roy Vogt
Supporting Member
- Sep 20, 2000
- 4,433
- 537
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Kiesel Basses, Ampeg Amplification, Hotone Ampero II effects
I am female, and have been playing in bands, from rock to classical to jazz to Latin for decades. My first real gigging band was a classic rock band where I was the only female. I just thought of my band members as brothers, and they were supportive. As time goes on, I really do notice more female musicians, especially upright players. I actually grew up in a world where girls were supposed to play piano, flute, and clarinet, so, things have changed!
I suppose I have been disqualified at times from situations, but I really see this as an non-issue. I also got fired once because I did not drink enough beer,
so its all relative. Sure, there have been players who do not want to play with female musicians. Ha ha, I ran into one of them last week at a big band performance, and, guess what? At least 25% of the musicians in the band were female. Hopefully he has had a change of heart.
I think it is all in attitude towards one's self. I just do not think about gender when I am around my musician friends. Being a musician is who I am. I do not know how I could live and not be a musician. I just happen to be female. Besides, I play music with such a diversity of people of different genders, backgrounds, ages, and races, and barely give it a thought.
I think, OP, that you just need to continue getting out there and playing, and get more comfortable with who you are. Who really cares what others' think? Find musicians to play with who are right for you. If you cannot, start your own band, as already mentioned. You are a musician and you want to play music in various bands, so, go for it!
I suppose I have been disqualified at times from situations, but I really see this as an non-issue. I also got fired once because I did not drink enough beer,
so its all relative. Sure, there have been players who do not want to play with female musicians. Ha ha, I ran into one of them last week at a big band performance, and, guess what? At least 25% of the musicians in the band were female. Hopefully he has had a change of heart. I think it is all in attitude towards one's self. I just do not think about gender when I am around my musician friends. Being a musician is who I am. I do not know how I could live and not be a musician. I just happen to be female. Besides, I play music with such a diversity of people of different genders, backgrounds, ages, and races, and barely give it a thought.
I think, OP, that you just need to continue getting out there and playing, and get more comfortable with who you are. Who really cares what others' think? Find musicians to play with who are right for you. If you cannot, start your own band, as already mentioned. You are a musician and you want to play music in various bands, so, go for it!
Roy Vogt
Supporting Member
- Sep 20, 2000
- 4,433
- 537
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Kiesel Basses, Ampeg Amplification, Hotone Ampero II effects
+2
I'm haven't been sent many replies like that myself. But then I haven't seriously looked at Bassist ads much so far as I still consider myself a bit of a learner. I've had replies from, played and sung with other bands and had no problems with them at all. The proportions probably work out about the same in the end. When one like this does come through, I say screw it. Who wants to join a band with people like that anyway? I just note the band name so I don't reply to another one of their ads later and move on to the next one. If they want to ignore good players for trivial reasons then it's their loss.
This.
Especially if you're all in your 20s and touring. Eventually something's gonna happen somewhere. Then they break up and feelings are hurt and the band breaks up (or they stay together just not the same)
Has happened to far too many bands.
If you can keep it in your pants for the sake of the band then how is a female bassist any different than a guy? (Besides being much much hotter)
I like being the only female in a band 
Prove you belong there with your bass playing and you'll fit in just fine.
Prove you belong there with your bass playing and you'll fit in just fine.
I think it's great... There are so many hacks out there that the ones who truly value, respect and can play the heck out of the bass get much respect from me regardless of gender.
I agree that it's a out how well you can play. I've seen a lot if indie bands insist only on female bassists. I lost a gig to a female bassist once, mostly because she had the right look. The band called me back two weeks later. She couldn't play. Point is that if you can throw down and have chops, and if you walk into an audition with the confidence to act like you own it, then you can get the gigs you want. Look is important but solid musicians want to play with solid musicians, period.
By the way, I've emailed with Carol Kaye over the years and she's given me great advice. You should email her. I bet she'll answer. Kim Deal, Kim Gordon, D'arcy...lots of women tear it up on bass and Carol opened the door. One of the great bass pioneers, make or female.
well, it seems like everyone here is all for having girls in a band, no matter what the situation. I agree mostly, but I do feel it is another factor that has to be considered. For example, at least in the singer position, it seems ;like male singers appeal to both sexes, while often times female singers will only attract more female fans than male ones. But in terms of bass playing, I don't think it makes to much of a difference.
You're right. It's not a "fair point." So what? If someone invokes that as their lame excuse, pointing out that's it's not a fair point isn't going to change their minds. Life is not fair.
I agree (and can hopefully keep my man card), but I think it depends on the individual a lot. If it's the image the woman wants to work, more power to her, but it shouldn't be the female band member's default role to provide sex appeal.
To throw some fuel on some fire.
Alot of males pick up instruments for a lot of different reasons. Most of them can't help but notice that guys in bands get a lot of chicks when they start out. The issue is a great number of men in bands may be popular with women and have a lot of fun, they simultaneously will not have maturity or the ability to have a mature relationship with women.
But let me offer some advice on how to deal with these problems.
The old saying is a good girl can't be a stripper, but I bad girl can. This is because good girls have trouble saying no.
In music it is the same sort of thing. Ya gotta be enough of a bad girl, and not afraid to be thought of as a b*tch for putting your foot down. If you can do that, then you can play with just about anybody without problem. Look at how many men have power issues in bands in this forum alone and just imagine what happens when you throw in the expectation that women be "passive" that pervades our society.
Of course reading this forum you will also find out a lot of band problems are just the weird nature of people and playing in bands so don't always assume its an attitude towards women thing.
Or you could find a band full of emotionally developed adults as so many on this forum pretend to be. Their in aisle 3 right next to bridges for sale. If your in a hurry the flying pig will lead you their.
Alot of males pick up instruments for a lot of different reasons. Most of them can't help but notice that guys in bands get a lot of chicks when they start out. The issue is a great number of men in bands may be popular with women and have a lot of fun, they simultaneously will not have maturity or the ability to have a mature relationship with women.
But let me offer some advice on how to deal with these problems.
The old saying is a good girl can't be a stripper, but I bad girl can. This is because good girls have trouble saying no.
In music it is the same sort of thing. Ya gotta be enough of a bad girl, and not afraid to be thought of as a b*tch for putting your foot down. If you can do that, then you can play with just about anybody without problem. Look at how many men have power issues in bands in this forum alone and just imagine what happens when you throw in the expectation that women be "passive" that pervades our society.
Of course reading this forum you will also find out a lot of band problems are just the weird nature of people and playing in bands so don't always assume its an attitude towards women thing.
Or you could find a band full of emotionally developed adults as so many on this forum pretend to be. Their in aisle 3 right next to bridges for sale. If your in a hurry the flying pig will lead you their.
