On the topic of female guitar players... (Page 2 of 2)

I'm not at all sensitive, it just seemed to me like you were pointing a finger at males for girls not picking up the guitar.  I didn't really think that was a fair accusation at all, so I commented on it.

Sure, girls may be told from a young age how important it is to be lady-like, but the same goes for guys.  We are told we have to be manly and guy-like.  But guess what?  We are not inherently bound by that.  It's a free country and nothing is stopping anyone from picking up the guitar other than their own personal convictions.  So any finger pointing is just plain silly. 

You said: "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..."

This to me seems to say that it is primarily guys that hold this conviction (notice how you emphasized guys in both sentences).  I think that is bull.  I don't think that is the case at all.  I believe most poeple probably comment on such a thing because it is a rare occurance, not because they think women are inherently disadvantaged at playing the instrument.  It's just the fact that less women pick up the guitar, and therefore there are going be less women who dedicate the amount of practice it takes to be outstanding.  You know, for one good guitar player (guy or girl) there are going to be a thousand that aren't so good.  It's all about the ratios, not the gender.   Like I said: same deal with rappers.  By and by, there are less white rappers out there, so the total number of white rappers that are seen as "great" is going to be far less.

Oh and:

"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."

Well there was the whole 80's Glam rock thing....:)

That counts for something, right?

Oh and:

"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."

Well there was the whole 80's Glam rock thing....:)

That counts for something, right?   

Yup!

Glam Rock?  Good one.  But being the sensitive man that I am, I want to see females in make up, high heels, frilly low cut tops, wild hair & lipstick, not males....but that's just me.  tee hee...just messing around...
Jeff

How cool Gary!!....ya think shes on youtube??....probably not....sure would love to hear her play.....this got my little brain to thinking about all these great musicians that some of us never heard of or will...thats why I really appreciate all of you for finding artist and bands that I never would have found....which brings me to another question...is the internet the greatest discovery of all time??...well thats a whole different thread isnt it...

Dave

No recitals for my students.  A lot of my students are teens and would disown me as their teacher if I threw that idea out there.  We do however have a program for our more serious students to get involved in band/recording projects.  That is run by another teacher, but my students also have access to it.  It is a great thing he does.

As far as performing--I don't.  I haven't made it a priority.  With fifty students each week and two children of my own, it just doesn't appeal to me right now.  I can't imagine teaching until 9:00 at night, heading out to do a gig and getting home at 3:00 a.m. only to wake up at 6:00 to get my kids ready for school.  It exhausts me just thinking about it.  I don't know many women who do it.  I used to hit the local scene and sit in on open jams.  It was a great way to get my fix.  I'll probably start attending open jams again in the Fall but that's it.