In a world where we are technologically developed, open to every kind of ideas and where every gender get equal opportunities, there are still few stereotyped opinions that doesn't stand true. Are some music instruments only meant to be played by just one gender? It may be musical history that has played a small part in moulding these ideas but we are smart enough and have enough sources of information to know that it is not at all the reality. Let us get an idea of how these opinions have come to be and how it doesn’t hold true in this day and age.
History
In the 19th century, Musical Instruments were part of leisure for the upper classes mostly as lower classes were usually preoccupied with work. As population of that century had begun generating interest for musical instruments there was a huge gender biased notion about the instruments. Bluntly put, majority of the existing instruments were not considered feminine mainly because it wasn't considered moral for females to play it. For few instances, drums and trumpets were used in military were not considered lady-like. Also certain playing positions like distorting face while playing wind instruments, straddling the cello with your legs or making bodily movements while playing string instruments were considered immoral for the female gender. The Piano however was considered feminine in the earlier century, as you could sit gracefully and play the instrument without any unnatural movement of the body. Thus, very few men, opted to play the piano back then since the society considered it to be feminine although the trend soon began changing with geniuses like Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, etc.
Breaking the Norm
It is human nature to break away from the existing norms and rules which has been the case since a time immemorial. Even though few notions were well established in the tradition and society, there were always the 'odd ones out' breaking out of stereotypes and proving everyone wrong. As we discussed the names of few geniuses like Mozart and the Beethoven, can you name few female composers of 20th century who completely proved the notion that ‘female counterparts are not good composers’ a false statement. If you cant think of one, here are few you must check out: Clara Schumann, Fenny Hensel and if you are a jazz fan you must know Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. They have got lot less attraction than their male counterparts but if you listen closely, you will understand why they should earn the same respect and recognition.
Age of Free Will
Now, in these times where most of the common notions are broken and times where what you say, is heard by everyone, we should not be bound to old opinions and traditions. Yes, there has been a huge improvement of understanding that the gender bias is completely wrong when it comes to music, but it is time to completely eradicate it. If there is something you want to learn and play, only thing is stopping you is yourself. Want to learn the drums, get one and start practicing, it doesn’t matter which gender you belong to, the one with more commitment and practice will definitely be better than the other. In these times, if you have a will you have the choice to make it true and no instrument is either male dominated or should be considered feminine.
Modern Day Geniuses
Drums: Camille Bigeault, Sarah Thawer, Senri Kawaguchi, Jessica Burdeaux, Mercedes Lander, Meytal Cohen, Kristina Schiano, Anika Nilles
Stringed Instruments: Yvette Young, Mohini Dey, Felicia Collins, Joni Mitchell, Orianthi, Anoushka Shankar
BlueTimbre is a unique Music Company that provides Music Education and Recording Studio services. BlueTimbre also works with schools to provide end-to-end Music Education solutions for schools.
The BlueTimbre team comes with decades of cumulative experience in running Structured Businesses, Music Curriculum Development, Music Education and Performance.
References:
- https://phys.org/news/2016-04-gender-based-social-conventions-musical-instruments.html
- https://rvanews.com/features/spacebomb-truth-lies-somewhere-in-between/49992
- http://www.womensmediacenter.com/fbomb/the-underlying-sexism-of-playing-an-instrument
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