Music & Gender Blog

This topic is actually quite interesting to me. I did notice in the Native American Pow Wow that the men played the drums and there outfits where quite dull compared to the women who wore more revealing or bright colored clothing they were also dancing. While in the videos I've seen I haven't seen any men dancing.There is also definitely stigma's on the music men and woman listen to. Women are usually characterized as people that love very emotional songs or songs by women. While men are stereotyped to like rap or punk rock. And it's known as a bad thing if they like someone like Katy Perry or Beyonce. My music style is everywhere and I actually love music that denies the stereotypes I love music by men that show them being extremely emotional or expressing how something makes them feel like D'Angelo. And I love songs by women where they are yelling and angry by artist such as Rico Nasty or Meg the Stallion. I think it's terrible that men are scripted to this constant tough and sustainable act. Let people be and show how they really feel. This definitely happens in music ensembles to as a black female bass player I defy the odds everyday. People are not use to women playing bigger instruments. If I am simply carrying my bass a man will stop me no matter where I am and offer to carry it for me. Or make the constant comment that the instrument is as big as me. Which is incredibly rude if a man is carrying something they are never asked if they need help they are just expected to handle it. Or the fact the people are insinuating that because I'm a woman that I need help. It doesn't matter that I've been playing for years or have been trained how to carry this instrument I will always be seen as less qualified because of my race or gender. This is a problem in all areas of music you never see women that are producers or sound engineers. It's always men but one day it will change. Women continue to change the odds and branch out so I expect to see women dominating that field soon. I just think it's all about balance and you should never overestimate a man and never underestimate a women because you don't know what anyone is capable of!