A bass guitar on the BBC news site? Oh yes, right here: Why don't girls play guitar?
Interesting that it is either a lefty bass (yeah!) or they have mirrored the picture (looks like the later, from the headstock - doh! Slaps forehead). Anyway, that niggle aside. The article talks about the influence of gender stereotypes on musical choice.
There is still a lot of "girls play flute, boys play guitar" about, and it needs to go.
Top instruments for the boys:
- Electric guitar - 81%
- Bass Guitar - 81%
- Tuba - 77%
Top instruments for the girls:
- Harp - 90%
- Flute - 89%
- Voice - 80%
The article says it is hard to step across the gender line, but easier for girls to play 'boys' instruments, than the other way around. I know a male bass player learning flute - wulf, your secret is out - and I know of infinitely more female bass players around now that I did a decade ago (ok, that is from zero to about a dozen now). So, hopefully, things are on the mend.
Let's break the stereotypes. Bass is for everyone, come and play!
4 comments:
For a long time, girls didn't like the bass because it was way heavy to hold for a 3-4 hour gig. And the gear was gargantuan. Now that the manufacturers are being more ergonomically aware across the board, 8 to 11 lb basses are more readily available. Cabs and amps are more compact and lightweight as well. Back in the 80's the band had to come to my house to load/unload me for a gig. Now I can put my rig in the back of my SUV myself. I go to the studio to load/unload the band.
Times are certainly changing! Thanks for thinking about us girl bass players.
Oh, and there is definitely a huge lack of girl lead guitarists.
Hi Carol... You just reminded me about the Daisy bass, if you've seen that. It was an attempt to make a lighter bass - I know a couple of teenagers, now lady basses, who started out with one. Cabs are lighter too now - with neodium magnets and other new fangled techyness. Good news for us older bassists too!
I think more girls should learn the bass guitar, and for those girls out there wishing to learn the bass I know of some free beginner lessons for you
http://www.howtoplaybass.co.uk/about_bass_basics.html
It is so sexy when girls play bass. Come on girls get learning that bass please.
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