Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

[Aceman]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

We are all CAPABLE of doing the same things, men and women, for the most part. And we can do all we want to make something welcoming and accessible. But in the end, we are who we are.

As much as we would like to live in Utopia, we live here, on the Earth, third rock from the Sun, in the Milky Way. As enlightened as pure equality seems, it is actually a very childish notion.

 

[Aasinsilta]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

This is still alive?

I'd make a thread asking where all the guy guitar players went, but I'd have my answer pretty quickly. They left the realm of playing guitar for the pursuit of philosophical discussions of tone, technique, and the demographics of the talent on message boards. In other words, a pissing contest.

 

[voggin]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

Thinking back, it wasn't until after I started playing the guitar that I became aware of the marketing side (other than seeing the brand names on famous players' guitars).

So really, most marketing in the instrument industry is aimed at people who already play, in order to get them to spend more money. But they've already made the decision to play before the marketers get to pitch them their products. Especially the after market stuff like replacement pickups or pedals.

So I guess the hard part is getting people into playing, without being able to appeal to them through the specialized media (guitar mags, websites). They don't go there until they've committed to the instrument already.

As for the ones that do play and therefore get exposed to the marketing, yeah, the scantilly clad girl thing is probably not going to win you a lot of female customers.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

On the issue of the universality of the "meeting women" motivation behind guys picking up guitar: Is that largely said in jest among guitar players, or is that real? I began playing guitar as a young high school student, partly so that I'd have something to do other than drool over girls at school. I was girl-crazy, and it was bad, but I didn't want or expect girls to start paying attention to me because of the guitar. I wanted something of my own that I could throw myself into, become an enthusiast, blow off steam. I always figured most girls would have more substantive reasons for noticing or not noticing me, and I think they did.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

I agree with Jessie. I took up guitar for me. Apart from anything else, guitar was something a person could teach him or herself. None of that formal tuition guff.

The first thing that I ever used to produce "musical noises" was a domestic reel-to-reel tape recorder. The guitar was just a sound source for the recorder. It still is.

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

most marketing in the instrument industry is aimed at people who already play, in order to get them to spend more money. But they've already made the decision to play before the marketers get to pitch them their products. Especially the after market stuff like replacement pickups or pedals.

So I guess the hard part is getting people into playing, without being able to appeal to them through the specialized media (guitar mags, websites). They don't go there until they've committed to the instrument already.

Most marketers at gear companies will target the "low hanging fruit" of existing (male) guitar players and create the typical ads with snarling, macho dudes holding guitars and looking super bad. Whether you like them or not, those ads are often cost effective--though not necessarily creative, innovative or nurturing new customers. It's a little different with GAMA. We're more focused on growing the guitar playing community, primarily through guitar education in schools--but we're very interested in growing the product category by extending it to the other 51% of the population.

Hence the OP.

This is still alive?

I had no idea what I started. Excuse me while I infract myself.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

The first step to growing anything musically in schools is to KILL the already existing music programs.

Ban the Clarinet, the Oboe, The French Horn, and a host of others. Then, have John Phillip Sousa's name stricken from the books.

Teach high value, high utility, largely popular tools: Guitar, Bass, Sax, Keyboard (NOT Piano), and Drums (Trap Set - not "percussion")

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

Sorry, I haven't read all 23 pages of this thread. And I know the title says "...Especially Electric".
But I thought I'd share an observation or two.
I'm surprised by the number of tween and teen girls taking up acoustic guitar, inspired by Taylor Swift or some other acoustic strumming female pop star.
One such girl who was hoping to be discovered was working at the shop where I teach guitar on weekends. One Saturday, the owner of the shop was showing her an Orianthi video on youtube. She was impressed, but it didn't make her want to start playing rock on an electric guitar.

But the fascination with Taylor Swift tells me a few things.
1.) The girls trying to do what she's doing are connecting to songs, not to technique. they may also connect to their favorite pop star's look, but I think they really identify with the songs. We've heard a lot of famous musicians say that the song has to come first before shredding. Maybe this is even more true with girls. Even as a guy, before I started learning guitar, I didn't listen to be blown away by technique. As a music fan, I connected with melodies and songs.
2.) I hate to generalize, so I won't. But I will say that the girls who gravitate toward the acoustic strumming pop star thing also seem to want quick gratification. They don't want to spend countless hours practicing scales, sweep arpeggios or other techniques. Note that I didn't say this is true of "girls", but the girls who want to be acoustic strumming pop singers. And I think this goes back to connecting with songs. They don't view countless hours of practicing scales and licks as necessary to writing and playing a song that they and their listeners can connect to. They're moved by songs with a great melody and a cowboy chord guitar part, so they want to move their listeners the same way. Just as I was emotionally moved by wailing guitar solos by Hendrix, Gilmour, and others, and I started on my journey to learn to move others the same way.

I'm in no way saying the above is true of all female guitar students. I personally know female rock guitarists, who connect with metal and hard rock. But these are fewer in number, whereas lately, I've seen, and I personally know, several girls who aspire to be acoustic pop singer/songwriters.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

The first step to growing anything musically in schools is to KILL the already existing music programs.

Ban the Clarinet, the Oboe, The French Horn, and a host of others. Then, have John Phillip Sousa's name stricken from the books.

Schools with football teams and such are going to have to field marching bands. I know, I know... JPS was one of the greatest enemies that good music has ever had, but it is what it is.

I do see your point here, though. French horns, oboe, clarinet, suxaphone... do you guys know of any English teachers centering their classes around typewriters and fountain pens? No, I've got an idea: Let's each spend thousands of dollars to take up an instrument at which we'll work very hard on music that we don't personally value. 'Cause that's like, how you learn. And if we work really hard and do a good job, maybe we'll earn the right to abandon it and start up with instruments and music we're actually interested in. Because if we started out that way, it would be like cheating.

 

[Securb]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

The first step to growing anything musically in schools is to KILL the already existing music programs.

Ban the Clarinet, the Oboe, The French Horn, and a host of others. Then, have John Phillip Sousa's name stricken from the books.

Teach high value, high utility, largely popular tools: Guitar, Bass, Sax, Keyboard (NOT Piano), and Drums (Trap Set - not "percussion")

Sometimes I just want to reach into the computer and smack you. Yeah lets stop teaching piano, percussion and clarinet. Bob do yourself a favor, turn off the hair metal and listen to a bit of Jazz tonight.

 

[DreX]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

I think they push classical instruments for the same reasons they push little league or ballet, to live vicariously through their kids, to make their children succeed where they personally failed, and for some strange reason, mastering a classical instrument is somehow more respectable than even becoming a rock star, and it's certainly more respectable than having a happy, self-fulfilled child.

 

[formula73]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

I think they push classical instruments for the same reasons they push little league or ballet, to live vicariously through their kids, to make their children succeed where they personally failed, and for some strange reason, mastering a classical instrument is somehow more respectable than even becoming a rock star, and it's certainly more respectable than having a happy, self-fulfilled child.

I'd reply but he wouldn't see it.

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

On the issue of the universality of the "meeting women" motivation behind guys picking up guitar: Is that largely said in jest among guitar players, or is that real? I began playing guitar as a young high school student, partly so that I'd have something to do other than drool over girls at school. I was girl-crazy, and it was bad, but I didn't want or expect girls to start paying attention to me because of the guitar. I wanted something of my own that I could throw myself into, become an enthusiast, blow off steam. I always figured most girls would have more substantive reasons for noticing or not noticing me, and I think they did.

I agree with Jessie. I took up guitar for me. Apart from anything else, guitar was something a person could teach him or herself. None of that formal tuition guff.

The first thing that I ever used to produce "musical noises" was a domestic reel-to-reel tape recorder. The guitar was just a sound source for the recorder. It still is.

It's not universal. I started playing bass when I was 14 because I was obsessed with Primus, specifically the Frizzle Fry album. That faded after 4 or 5 years. Maybe 3 years after that I picked up guitar because I started writing music and my 2nd best friend was a bad mofo on the drums.

Never did I expect these activities to lead to attention from women.

Sometimes I just want to reach into the computer and smack you. Yeah lets stop teaching piano, percussion and clarinet. Bob do yourself a favor, turn off the hair metal and listen to a bit of Jazz tonight.

Thank you.

 

[Securb]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

I think they push classical instruments for the same reasons they push little league or ballet, to live vicariously through their kids, to make their children succeed where they personally failed, and for some strange reason, mastering a classical instrument is somehow more respectable than even becoming a rock star, and it's certainly more respectable than having a happy, self-fulfilled child.

How are the piano, percussion and clarinet strictly classical instruments? If the above describes your childhood that is sad. That being said most parents I have encountered support their children at whatever they want to do.

 

[Big Flannel]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

How are the piano, percussion and clarinet strictly classical instruments? If the above describes your childhood that is sad. That being said most parents I have encountered support their children at whatever they want to do.

Correct me if I'm wrong, (I'm not), but isn't the purpose of learning percussion, piano, and other "uncool" instruments to be more than a chump guitar player? I'd rather be regarded as a musician than a guitarist.

If I hadn't started out as a percussionist, I wouldn't have a solid sense of rhythm.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

Most of the truly competent drummers with whom I have had the pleasure of playing have percussion training.

 

[Securb]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

My best drummer came originally from a marching band. His drum and bugle corp were regional champions for a few years running. When he got older he became an instructor. The guy was a killer prog metal drummer.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

The first step to growing anything musically in schools is to KILL the already existing music programs.

Ban the Clarinet, the Oboe, The French Horn, and a host of others. Then, have John Phillip Sousa's name stricken from the books.

Teach high value, high utility, largely popular tools: Guitar, Bass, Sax, Keyboard (NOT Piano), and Drums (Trap Set - not "percussion")

I like the gist of your message . . . which is that we seem to focus education a little too much on instruments that nobody every plays. An awful lot of playing music has to do with getting together with others to play music . . . and there are awfully few jam sessions playing stuff that works with a Tuba these days.

Logistically your proposal has some problems though. As a teacher you have what, 32 or so students in a reasonable sized music class? So eight guys on guitar, six on bass, six sax players, eight keyboardists, and four drummers . . . how the hell do you arrange for that group of players for the mandatory demonstration that parents want from a music program? Either you group everybody into mini bands and the concert takes hours, or you try to get 'em all to play at the same time, and it sounds like ass.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

How are the piano, percussion and clarinet strictly classical instruments? If the above describes your childhood that is sad. That being said most parents I have encountered support their children at whatever they want to do.

And I present to you on the clarinet Jan van Halen, father of Edward and Alex Van Halen.

Securb, I'm agreeing with you here. Just giving your point more ammo.

Also, the singer/keytarist in my band is trained in the styles of Broadway and my keyboardist teaches music in public schools.



Music is music, regardless of the instrument.

And are you going to tell Ian Anderson he doesn't know how to rock with a flute?

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Why Aren't there More Female Guitar Players, Especially Electric?

On the issue of the universality of the "meeting women" motivation behind guys picking up guitar: Is that largely said in jest among guitar players, or is that real? I began playing guitar as a young high school student, partly so that I'd have something to do other than drool over girls at school. I was girl-crazy, and it was bad, but I didn't want or expect girls to start paying attention to me because of the guitar. I wanted something of my own that I could throw myself into, become an enthusiast, blow off steam. I always figured most girls would have more substantive reasons for noticing or not noticing me, and I think they did.

I started playing bass and electric guitar because I loved music and wanted to create something artistic. "Scoring chicks" had nothing to do with it for me either.