Music and Gender

When I was in elementary and middle school, I played the violin. Most of the kids in my class were female, but there were a few males. I remember that the boys that played bass were known as being more “tough” than that of the boys that played the violin. I think that the ones that played violin were even picked on for playing that instrument. Perhaps a violin was too small to be considered masculine? I also remember that there were only males that played bass.  It makes sense to me because the bass has a lower quality of tone than that of a violin, and the violin could be portrayed as having a more girly, or “pretty” sound. That is pure speculation on the subject, but one must consider the confused sexual identity of the male gender in its pre-adolescence splendor.

When I was in high school, almost all my friends were connected to a band in some way. Mostly they were all male bands, with a few females thrown into the mix from time to time. Some did have both genders but it was rare. I can’t even remember one that consisted of all females. All the bands that I am thinking about had a closely related sound that consisted of a singer, 2 guitars, drums, bass, and sometimes keyboard. The females that I would see play would sing for the most part, but some would play guitar, keyboard, or bass.  I think my music choices were mostly based on what people around me listened to when I was out, and then what I would listen to at home. Unfortunately as a teenager with a musician boyfriend, whatever he listened to I would listen to most of the time.  On the other hand, the social environment in Asheville was great to listen to lots of different kinds of music. On any given night there would be some sort of drum circle or acoustic guitar on the street to listen to; the street musicians were male and female.

Being at Converse hasn't necessarily determined my musical listening choices, but some of the people within my classes have suggested musicians that I wouldn’t have come in contact with otherwise.  Since I currently do not play an instrument, I can't say how being in a school with almost-all-women has affected me in that way. As an artist, I can understand how gender can play a huge part in expectations and roles of women within a specific group.