• Registered: 2007-01-29
  • Posts: 569

Topic: On the topic of female guitar players...

This is kinda relating to Cathy's post but not so much about sound...

I have noticed a lot that whenever there is a female guitarist on Youtube or in an article or something, it is always emphasized that they are female, whereas with the male guitarists it's like a given that they are guys.
Here are 2 examples:
Scott Holt: http://youtube.com/watch?v=06ipJ2NadxM  (the only time the word "guys" is used is a comment "rock on guys")
and this one is labeled "A Female Guitar Player" as if we were the rarest of all species smile : http://youtube.com/watch?v=EGJxfPnJOCU

And on Chantel McGregor's bio on her website it said (actual quote) "Now described as a "prodigy", a visit from a major label soon followed and at fourteen she was told "great voice, but girls don't play guitar like that!"by the head of their A&R. Their advise to change styles because boys would be intimidated was met with an attitude of "that's their problem! I'm not changing!" Singing and playing on national television and radio soon followed."

Is it so hard for most guys (and I emphasize MOST) or most people in general to accept that guitar playing is not determined by gender?? I see a lot of guys (and girls) doing this...commenting on Youtube and stuff...

To any other fellow female guitar players...Sarah C., Fretwork, etc...do you notice this at all?? I don't really but I'm not exactly what you call "good" and it seems the better they are the more reason to emphasize that "oh my word a GIRL can do this"

It also depends on genre...girls are more associated with folk and pop, acoustic stuff, think Jewel or Colbie Caillat, not a lot of "heavy" stuff...

Oh, for the record I searched "male guitar players," got 1 thing, looked up "female guitar players" and I got 2 pages!!!

Mary

LOL-ler-tastic.
  • From: Frederick County, MD
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 857

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

Mary:  I think you raise an interesting point....seems like male chauvinism isn't dead yet.  After spending an hour or so surfing YouTube from some of the links posted in the "Other Artists" section, it amazes me that in this "enlightened" day and age that any fairly average female guitar player whose video is posted on YouTube is commented insanely by "you play amazing For a GIRL"

I've been playing for like 30 years...and I know a LOT of good guitar players....but one of the best I know personally has indoor plumbing LOL. 

I don't really have a point other than I feel ya.  Keep on playing and don't worry about what others think...it's for you anyways :-)

CarljMD

Takers get the honey, givers sing the blues
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 3,742

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

I got a crush on good female guitar players...lol...dont know why....I love going on you tube and finding them...."shredders" are my favs...but thats just me.

Dave

  • Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

when a girl can really play guitar, it's something you just don't see much...but it is usually pretty HOT...aside from Melissa Etheridge

  • Dino
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  • Registered: 2006-05-28
  • Posts: 373

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

I guess thanks for including my friend in this discussion, but I have no idea what that means.

Are you taking offense to the euphamistic use of the word GUYs?  As in...you guys are great?

I could be referring to coffee roasters.

I also think it is fun to note that the song he is singing was being sung to his wife, and was written by a lesbian.

I think a good point of view would be to take on the roll of the misogynistic in music, or any given culture.  I think if you look at strong women like Memphis Minnie (who first recorded hound dog) that you can in fact find strong women everywhere.

Do you pose the thread to say that women have been limited in becoming blues players?  That there is a bias against women who play guitar?  That there is either a direct or indirect opression of said females?

Could it be because women have CHOSEN to take on other instruments?  When I saw Aretha recently she warmed up back stage by playing guitar, but did not play on stage.  Was that because someone told her not to do?

I think of the Fat Possum recording artist The Heartless **anothercensoredword*, led by a female guitar player.

I am just having a problem with figuring out the question

Joan Jett
Lita Ford
The blonde sister from HART
Shirley Manson plays guitar
Susan Tedeschi
Shannon Curfman

  • From: Wheeling, IL
  • Registered: 2006-12-07
  • Posts: 618

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

Take a look at an electric guitar and what it looks like when someone is standing up playing one. That's all you need to know about why there are not a lot of women guitar players. Not many women want to buck that perception.

Do I have to spell it out? smile

I'm just saying.
  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

Ladies & gentlemen,

One can find ignorance, bias and misconceptions anywhere.  I have found to my amazement that fear still runs most peoples' lives.

He's (she's) pretty good for a (girl, bassman, whiteboy, queer, Indian, whatever...ad nauseum). 

Good image Nancy...funny.  Done.
Jeff

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website

  • karla
  • karla
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  • From: Mainline, Florida
  • Registered: 2007-11-29
  • Posts: 62

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

I think they say great girl guitarist because when you ask someone who is/was a great guitarist, you're gonna hear names like Hendrix, Clapton, Van Halen and so on. If you asked the average person to name a great female guitarist, they probably couldn't name one.

"Unless you change direction, you are likely to end up where you are headed."
-Chinese proverb
  • From: Kansas
  • Registered: 2007-10-12
  • Posts: 375

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

Wait, are you saying that it is misogynistic of men that women don't typically take up the guitar as an instrument?

The fact is, guys who play guitar vastly outnumber girls who play guitar.  This is a fact, plain and simple.  This doesn't imply that men are better at guitar than women or anything to that effect.  I don't see how this makes somebody sexist/misogynistic/chauvinistic/ect for commenting on the fact that a particular guitar player is a woman.  They probably comment/emphasized on it because it is in fact a much more uncommon occurance than a male playing the guitar, rather than a woman being inherently handicapped when it comes to playing guitar.

Saying that someone is being sexist/misogynistic/chauvinistic/ect. for this seems to me kind of like calling someone a racist for commenting on a rapper being white.

Well, the night I was born
Lord I swear the moon turned a fire red
  • From: Wheeling, IL
  • Registered: 2006-12-07
  • Posts: 618

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

MontiusWinston wrote:

Wait, are you saying that it is misogynistic of men that women don't typically take up the guitar as an instrument?

The fact is, guys who play guitar vastly outnumber girls who play guitar.  This is a fact, plain and simple.  This doesn't imply that men are better at guitar than women or anything to that effect.  I don't see how this makes somebody sexist/misogynistic/chauvinistic/ect for commenting on the fact that a particular guitar player is a woman.  They probably comment/emphasized on it because it is in fact a much more uncommon occurance than a male playing the guitar, rather than a woman being inherently handicapped when it comes to playing guitar.

Saying that someone is being sexist/misogynistic/chauvinistic/ect. for this seems to me kind of like calling someone a racist for commenting on a rapper being white.

I guess I do have to spell it out because someone is a leetle bit sensitive.

Playing the electric guitar is not lady-like (that was the imagery I was trying to discretely evoke). Little girls are told from a very young age how important it is to be lady-like because if you're not, you know, no guy is going to want to marry you. So, missy, you don't want to play that rock n roll guitar. You want to play the violin or the piano.

That was my point. If you think this says something about men...well...books have been written about such things. smile

Thank goodness there are women who didn't listen to the message. Joan Jett and Chrissie Hynde come to mind as my favorites.

I'm just saying.
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 3,742

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

I had to put this young lady back up for yall to see....Santana and Vai...are her biggest influences from what i remember reading awhile back...she toured with Steve recently...kick myself in the behind for not going to see them at the Filmore....if I ever retire...thats ALL i'm going to do....could you go giggin every night...I think you people got the music bug as bad as me...RIGHT??

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQKvyqG7Nc4

Dave.....(working sucks!!..but I gotta eat)

  • From: Wheeling, IL
  • Registered: 2006-12-07
  • Posts: 618

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

BluesMan wrote:

I've seen her play and Susan Tedeschi can really play the old ham bone.

I've never seen, but high on my list to see is Bonnie Raitt who's as good as anyone.

And I've never seen Kelly Richey, but what I've viewed on videos she makes the guitar burn.

I'd say those 3 are high on most lists. JMHO

Roy

I love Bonnie Raitt. Not only is she a great guitarist and singer but she's one classy lady.

I'm just saying.
  • From: Charlotte
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 2,350

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

Nancy in Chicago wrote:
BluesMan wrote:

I've seen her play and Susan Tedeschi can really play the old ham bone.

I've never seen, but high on my list to see is Bonnie Raitt who's as good as anyone.

And I've never seen Kelly Richey, but what I've viewed on videos she makes the guitar burn.

I'd say those 3 are high on most lists. JMHO

Roy

I love Bonnie Raitt. Not only is she a great guitarist and singer but she's one classy lady.

We have seen both Susan and Bonnie, and Nancy is spot on about Bonnie!!!  Love both of their music...

Music is good for the Soul...

14 Reply by Fretwork (edited by Fretwork 2008-01-08 11:27:19)

  • Registered: 2006-09-13
  • Posts: 441

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

This perception is going to change.  More than half of my student roster are females and it has been that way for the past seven years.  Whenever someone tells me, "You're good for a girl".  I simply reply, "No, I'm good because I practice."  I really try not to let it bother me.  As far as electric guitar being a "masculine" instrument, I dunno I'm about as "girly" as they come so I don't know what happened to me . . .

"There is nothing to it.  You only have to hit the right notes at the right time and the instrument plays itself."---Johann Sebastian Bach
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

There was some new girl (skinny blonde guitar player) that was mentioned a while back in Other Artists section. I cannot remember her name. The woman could SHRED. There was a youtube video posted. But when I saw the look on her face and her posture, what I was hearing didn't exactly match what I was seeing in terms of intensity or interest. She looked bored. I wish I could remember who that was now!?

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 3,742

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

There was some new girl (skinny blonde guitar player) that was mentioned a while back in Other Artists section. I cannot remember her name. The woman could SHRED. There was a youtube video posted. But when I saw the look on her face and her posture, what I was hearing didn't exactly match what I was seeing in terms of intensity or interest. She looked bored. I wish I could remember who that was now!?

Her names "Orianthia"....from Australia.....I posted the youtube link on this thread this morning...yes she can shred...and she's "fine lookin" if I do say so myself...it's just a coulple of post back...take a peek at it if ya got time!

Dave

  • From: Deep in the forest
  • Registered: 2007-02-11
  • Posts: 5,296

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

This is definatlely a cultural thing..When I was in school girls played the flute, piano, or the violin, never offered drums, guitar, etc...I think it's changing, just a shame so many music programs have been cut....Again, God bless the internet..young girls can see women like Ana Popavic(sp?) who are small and very "girlie" but can play a kick-a## guitar. Remember to keep all options opened for your own daughters, and play lots of Joe for them!  Cathy

  • From: Southern New Jersey, USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-23
  • Posts: 2,966

Re: On the topic of female guitar players...

Nancy-I think we are probably close in age, but nowadays the trend is definitely changing like Fretwork is saying here and she's in the trenches.  My husband plays for fun but has helped some kids get started by loaning out starter guitars/amp with some tab instructions.  He's had less girls than boys, but a few girls, one was just real frustrated w/her acoustic so he switched her to electric, seem to make a difference.  I've seen more girls interested in drums nowadays too. I think another passe perception is that of maybe only tomboy types playing electric guitar....I love girly-girl badass guitar players...in heels, lipstick, nail polish and a sparkly girly colored guitar, because if I ever played, that's how I'd want to look. lol (that's just me, not for everyone)   Bonnie, Susan T., Ana, Sue Foley...all great role models for young girls.  A big thumbs up to Paul Green's School of Rock...I loved the movie, but the real school of rock is just great!!  When we went to see the Yes show with Jon Anderson, the female guitarist & all the students were EXCELLENT and still in their teens. It' remarkable what they accomplished...a way better use of time than IM, facebook etc. and there is all sorts of scientific data about how learning an instrument in your youth is beneficial...Girls/Women have come a long way...they are occupying 50% of the spots in law schools...becoming doctors and in demand to study engineering...

Bonnie Raitt supports these efforts:
"Boys and Girls Clubs Guitar Program Update
More than 100 Boys & Girls Clubs around the country continue to provide guitar lessons as part of the original Bonnie Raitt/Fender Guitar Program, still utilizing the guitars and instruction materials that were provided during the initial rollout of the program between 1998-2000. At that time, Bonnie partnered with Fender Guitars to create the Bonnie Raitt Signature Series Stratocaster which prompted financial support and the donation of instruments from Fender to create a Guitar Program in Boys & Girls Clubs aimed at providing instruments and after-school lessons to young girls.

Recently, with a grant from NAMM (The International Music Products Association,) the BGCA has been developing the next generation “after-school” music education program to be implemented in all 3,700 Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide. It is in the interest of the music industry to foster the development of this next generation of musicians, and we will keep you posted on the progress of this program as music industry players step-up to the plate to help fund this endeavor."

http://www.littlekidsrock.org/index.htm

Fretwork-do your students have a recital that they perform at?  Do you also perform solo or have a band?

Fretwork wrote:

This perception is going to change.  More than half of my student roster are females and it has been that way for the past seven years.  Whenever someone tells me, "You're good for a girl".  I simply reply, "No, I'm good because I practice."  I really try not to let it bother me.  As far as electric guitar being a "masculine" instrument, I dunno I'm about as "girly" as they come so I don't know what happened to me . . .

StringsforaCURE~Helping cancer patients one STRING at a time.
http://stringsforacure.com/

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