So i play in a metal band with my friend's, mostly high school friends. I have been playing in this band off and on since i was 16 so a good 4 years now. All of my friends are guys ranging in age 20 to 23 and i am the only girl in the band. i play keyboards. Ever since i joined this band (mainly a underground band, we cnt decide on a name) i have met some guys who only see me as the girl in the band- i feel like they dnt see me as part of the band except my own band member's. I have some guitar experience as well- when i was 13 i received a guitar and got lessons from a local jazz musician. When i joined the band they automatically gave me the position of keyboard player even though i could play guitar, though im more experienced with keyboard and piano. Even though they are my friends and band members they gave me the positions of keyboard with the mentality that "girls cant play guitar" especially in a band with 5 guys and 1 girl so they gave me the "frilly instrument" in their opinion. I feel a little offended by this but i would like to know from the trans women who are musicians here, after u came out and began transition- did people see u as a transsexual musician or a female musician? the reason for this question being that ive been treated differently because of my sex and because of my age. I mean if u started music as a male, did anyone's perceptions of u as a musician change because u transitioned? im not sure if this question makes a lot of sense- but im really curious to know :laugh:
I'm not in a band lol but I know how to play the guitar.
People are just like that. For example, Black Eyed Peas. They had a female member before, but she left, so they replaced her with Fergie. Clearly the position was only open to attractive women. In recent years Fergie and Will.I.Am have become foregrounded, the other 2 are just there. Will.I.Am gets it because he's like the leader, Fergie gets it because she's a girl. A girl just makes the band more interesting, and if there's too many then the band seems feminine.
When I first started playing bass, too many years to remember now, a mate was in a band with a girl drummer. They had trouble getting her to tone her playing down at times as she hit so hard. Now I know why!!
Maybe you should get to rehearsal first so that you can be caught ripping it up on guitar as the guys walk in? Just a thought because I like messing with people's heads nearly as much as Zappa did. >:-)
Karen.
Yeah an old childhood friend of mine threw a party on st. patricks day and like nobody there knew me except for him so later on that night some of the guys started jammin on my friends guitar collection. I walk in there and pick up a fender strat and start playing hendrix & these guys were like " :o wdf this chick is playing like a pro!" so yeah guys are def sexist when it comes to women in music. ::)
I've been in a few bands, and a big problem is that everybody wants to play guitar, and everybody can play guitar. Everybody wants to sing, but not everybody can. But generally, every band member is good at guitar. Most bass players play guitar primarily, but find it's easier to play in a band as a bassist.
And I don't think sex or gender has anything to do with it. Usually females are stereotyped to play bass or sing.
I sang in a band in college and later played bass in another band (who mostly wanted me because my bass is a 1962 Epiphone with a low end that blows everything out of the water). But my first and favorite instrument is still the drums. As I've transitioned, I've learned to embrace that even more because drummer chicks just rock something fierce. ;)
And while I have a really good and flexible singing voice, let's face it: it got testeronized. :( I'm currently trying to learn how to sing high without sounding falsetto, but the voice that comes out of my mouth is completely incongruous with how I look. I'm proud of my singing voice, but it's also one of the few things that makes me totally, mind-numbingly dysphoric. If I was simply a guy, that voice would be one of my favorite attributes.
i've been writing electronic music for over a decade now and i'm active on a forum and it seems that guys a) fawn incessently over you (especially if your the type of person who flirts with anything that moves) and b) will be much nicer about your music...as ong as you don't have an attituted problem than they would have been about a similar track from a guy
I play Jazz and Blues Piano primarily. But I've composed classical/cinematic pieces as well as winning remixes for established artists.
As I've gone through my transition and grown mentally, my musical tastes have grown accordingly. Now that I am more open to everyone, I am also much more open to music. Before my musical tastes were somewhat limited, but nowadays you'll be hard pressed to find a genre that I do not like. From Dubstep to Classical, From Country to Blues, From Rock to Jazz; I really like just about anything I can think of.
Quote from: Zoë Natasha on August 18, 2011, 06:58:40 PM
...But my first and favorite instrument is still the drums. As I've transitioned, I've learned to embrace that even more because drummer chicks just rock something fierce. ;)
Yay drummers!
I'm a percussionist - which is to say, I play lots of drums, but not with sticks. I'm doing what I can to make sure I don't lose muscle tone in my arms and shoulders (that do the work here), as drumming is my big love, alongside singing. And I'm actually happy to hang onto my bass voice - I met another bass woman on the singing camp last week, so now I know it's not that unusual :). I've yet to experience what people think of me as a girl drummer, as I don't look like a girl yet. But my experience is that people tend to assume girl drummers have poor sense of rhythm until proven otherwise (which is a bit ridiculous when you consider the dancing and cheerleading and all the rest of it that girls get up to).
I agree with others above - if you want your fellow band members to know you rock on guitar, you have to let them hear you rocking 8). Then people will come - oh yes, they will come...
*(
*Field Of Dreams reference, not sexual innuendo - though if we're talking guitar...)
Quote from: Padma on August 19, 2011, 01:15:40 AM
But my experience is that people tend to assume girl drummers have poor sense of rhythm until proven otherwise (which is a bit ridiculous when you consider the dancing and cheerleading and all the rest of it that girls get up to).
That's quite a big misconception people have, a friend of mine has taught drums and I've done it a few times and we found that girls tend to pick up the instrument in terms of basic rhythms faster than the boys did. But perhaps that's just our experience and it's more equal learning universal.
Quote from: Gravity's Child on August 18, 2011, 07:17:57 PM
i've been writing electronic music for over a decade now and i'm active on a forum and it seems that guys a) fawn incessently over you (especially if your the type of person who flirts with anything that moves) and b) will be much nicer about your music...as ong as you don't have an attituted problem than they would have been about a similar track from a guy
Haha, guys on Internet forums will fawn over any girl, especially if it's a predominantly male user base. Just out of interest what sort of electronic music you making/what do you use (hardware/software)? Since I've been composing electronically for about 2 years now using Logic Pro and Ableton Live making quite downtempo, Burial-esque dubstep tracks mainly but also a bit of drone and ambient, been messing around in Recycle for Reason to cut up drum samples recently which I want to make a liquid DnB/drumfunk track with.
Quote from: Nurse With Wound on August 19, 2011, 03:32:19 AM
That's quite a big misconception people have, a friend of mine has taught drums and I've done it a few times and we found that girls tend to pick up the instrument in terms of basic rhythms faster than the boys did. But perhaps that's just our experience and it's more equal learning universal.
Haha, guys on Internet forums will fawn over any girl, especially if it's a predominantly male user base. Just out of interest what sort of electronic music you making/what do you use (hardware/software)? Since I've been composing electronically for about 2 years now using Logic Pro and Ableton Live making quite downtempo, Burial-esque dubstep tracks mainly but also a bit of drone and ambient, been messing around in Recycle for Reason to cut up drum samples recently which I want to make a liquid DnB/drumfunk track with.
Interesting enough, we're supposedly more "wired" for creative thinking. So, it's easier for us to pick up most instruments.
Marta, I think you're just going to have to prove them wrong, but most boys just tend to love guitar and drum more. So, it might be difficult to have them give up their instruments for a "lesser one." Though, I've learned like six instruments now, and piano is still my favourite.
Back to composing music! I <33333 Logic Pro! I also have Ableton Live and Reason, but I can't be bothered to spend much time with them. Logic is just so powerful!
Quote from: Padma on August 19, 2011, 01:15:40 AM
But my experience is that people tend to assume girl drummers have poor sense of rhythm until proven otherwise (which is a bit ridiculous when you consider the dancing and cheerleading and all the rest of it that girls get up to).
I got a few compliments a couple of months ago on a two day freeride...had a go on some bongos for the first time ever and people were pretty much like "wow...that's quite a complex rhythm" In my defense and to make them feel better I did say I'd been producing beat orientated electronic music for over a decade, so I kind of understand rhythm.
Quote from: Nurse With Wound on August 19, 2011, 03:32:19 AM
Haha, guys on Internet forums will fawn over any girl, especially if it's a predominantly male user base. Just out of interest what sort of electronic music you making/what do you use (hardware/software)? Since I've been composing electronically for about 2 years now using Logic Pro and Ableton Live making quite downtempo, Burial-esque dubstep tracks mainly but also a bit of drone and ambient, been messing around in Recycle for Reason to cut up drum samples recently which I want to make a liquid DnB/drumfunk track with.
haha, very true. I'm a terrible flirt though and there's an on going joke about my collar bones. hee hee.
I'm quiet on the music front at the moment but I write a bit of everything, but really excel at odd ambient stuff. my problem is finding the motivation to finish anything right now.
Quote from: madirocks on August 19, 2011, 11:16:33 AM
Back to composing music! I <33333 Logic Pro! I also have Ableton Live and Reason, but I can't be bothered to spend much time with them. Logic is just so powerful!
Yeah, Logic Pro is what I mainly use for composing, since for that it's great. Though for Live performance it's a bit lack luster which is where Ableton Live comes in, nothing beats a load of outboard equipment running into Live to give you maximum control over your track.
Quote from: Gravity's Child on August 19, 2011, 11:58:24 AM
haha, very true. I'm a terrible flirt though and there's an on going joke about my collar bones. hee hee.
I'm quiet on the music front at the moment but I write a bit of everything, but really excel at odd ambient stuff. my problem is finding the motivation to finish anything right now.
Damn I know that feeling, so many unfinished tracks that will probably remain that way forever.
So my guy friends know now that i am a pretty good guitarist because i helped my friend Derek compose some guitar tracks for some songs that my band is writing. I am ok with playing keyboard since i really love adding my own sounds to it since my band is suppost to be a mix of a lot of things -hardcore, black metal and symphonic and i just love the symphonic part of it although a lot of times keyboards in metal bands simply just enhance the sound by adding a sort of atmosphere to the background. I really enjoy making the music a little bit more dark anyways since i a pretty big fan of goth bands- mostly 80's (bauhaus, joy division, sister's of mercy, etc.) although i feel like female keyboardists are a dime a dozen in metal- they are more common than guitarist's, drummer's, etc at least from my experience. I appreciate all of the info and comments on this thread and i know that female musicians are pretty common and just as good as male unfortunately in the music scene that i come from us girls make up like 10% of 100 compared to how many guys are metal fans and in metal bands, i just feel like ive had to prove myself a little bit more than any guy who is in a metal band- 1. because i started playing music at age 14 and 2. because of the fact that im female, so the mix of being a teenage girl in a music genre that is like totally male dominated has kinda worked against me- sometimes i feel like a gimmick (some say women are added to bands to garner more attention towards the band) which i think is complete crap but you would be surprised at how many people actually believe in that and it certainly doesnt help that some women who play in metal bands look reallly slutty. I however am very certain that my bandmates do appreciate the musical part of me :laugh: anyway you all added some interesting stuff to this topic
Do you have any Youtube videos of you guys? I'm kinda interested now lol ;D
Sure Trista :)
Here is a remix I did.
http://youtu.be/7HFZoUHFUgU (http://youtu.be/7HFZoUHFUgU)
Here is a classical/cinematic piece I wrote.
http://youtu.be/uUKp-xx4HJQ (http://youtu.be/uUKp-xx4HJQ)
I played the penny whistle on that song too, I wasn't very good at the time. But I still like the song :laugh:
I don't share much of my jazz or blues, but I'll see about recording some. I'm off of work today, so I'll see what I can do :)
Well done. :)
Trista, I've produced an album, but I'm not at the point yet where I'd like to share it. There's still a few changes that I'd like to make. I've been trying to create a few synthesizers, which I'm not happy with at the moment, so I might post something after I finish with those. :)
As I promised, here is some jazz Piano.
Piano - When You Wish Upon A Star - Samantha Hedler (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGvffBliK0g#)
How do you do that exactly, write a bunch of notes or select sounds or something?
I play it on my keyboard and record it as midi, then assign various instruments to the midi.
Quote from: Marta on August 19, 2011, 02:53:03 PM
So my guy friends know now that i am a pretty good guitarist because i helped my friend Derek compose some guitar tracks for some songs that my band is writing. I am ok with playing keyboard since i really love adding my own sounds to it since my band is suppost to be a mix of a lot of things -hardcore, black metal and symphonic and i just love the symphonic part of it although a lot of times keyboards in metal bands simply just enhance the sound by adding a sort of atmosphere to the background. I really enjoy making the music a little bit more dark anyways since i a pretty big fan of goth bands- mostly 80's (bauhaus, joy division, sister's of mercy, etc.) although i feel like female keyboardists are a dime a dozen in metal- they are more common than guitarist's, drummer's, etc at least from my experience. I appreciate all of the info and comments on this thread and i know that female musicians are pretty common and just as good as male unfortunately in the music scene that i come from us girls make up like 10% of 100 compared to how many guys are metal fans and in metal bands, i just feel like ive had to prove myself a little bit more than any guy who is in a metal band- 1. because i started playing music at age 14 and 2. because of the fact that im female, so the mix of being a teenage girl in a music genre that is like totally male dominated has kinda worked against me- sometimes i feel like a gimmick (some say women are added to bands to garner more attention towards the band) which i think is complete crap but you would be surprised at how many people actually believe in that and it certainly doesnt help that some women who play in metal bands look reallly slutty. I however am very certain that my bandmates do appreciate the musical part of me :laugh: anyway you all added some interesting stuff to this topic
It kind of is a gimmick. Particularly because there's just not that many like you said. I think that's largely why Arch Enemy does so well. :) I'd say you are definitely at an advantage in that case. Especially since you are good the instruments you play. But, I definitely agree with not falling into the slutty crowd. That's one stereotype I would never want to fall into!
Quote from: Samantharz on August 20, 2011, 01:23:34 PM
As I promised, here is some jazz Piano.
Piano - When You Wish Upon A Star - Samantha Hedler (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGvffBliK0g#)
I love you
If they treat you differently because you are a girl, can you really call them friends?
Now if they are just band mates and your position in the band is keyboards, well thats what it is. You can always find a band looking for a guitarist if thats what you want to do.
They way I see it, people are going to treat me however they deem appropriate, and likewise, I will respond appropriately. I am done wasting time on people who selfish and bigots.
sorry, dont mean to sound attitudey but I had a day.
As your pro rep, let me say that if that's your music, don't quit your day job.
And if you like arguing about who's who in the band, you'll love kindergarten, it's the same thing, except you're not required to produce anything.
Tekla who are you directing that at exactly?
a) anyone who left an mp3 here.
b) everyone else who thinks that being in a band means playing other people's hits at the Pink Pig Room of the Boom-Boom Motel on Friday nights.
c) anyone playing their greatest hits to less money than I make a night.
Quote from: tekla on August 20, 2011, 07:09:43 PM
As your pro rep, let me say that if that's your music, don't quit your day job.
And if you like arguing about who's who in the band, you'll love kindergarten, it's the same thing, except you're not required to produce anything.
wow, someone feels like being a bitch.
Although I have to agree with the whos, who in the band, but I dont think thats what she was saying, and really, who the frik made us any purveyors of how people are supposed to act?
I do believe what she was asking was: Have we noticed a difference between the way people responded to us as male, versus now as female. Simple enough.
I agree with Jillian. You're cruel for no other reason than to be cruel. No one left any MP3s btw, it's all youtube, and I was the only one who posted any. BTW I am already professional and have even won awards; you're approval is insignificant to my success. Have fun continuing to be cruel.
I've got lots of friends with gold records on the wall. Of their kitchen. Of the bathroom. Don't matter, can't eat 'em, and they don't pay the bills. In the end, most bands pay more money to people helping them make the music then they actually ever pocket from doing it themselves.
Well, I can't disagree with you there. Still, you came across as insulting. Did you mean that?
To hop back on topic for a minute:
Male-to-female musician here.
Ha ha, yeah, girls are usually the ones singing or playing the keyboards, huh? People have such deeply rooted preconceptions of gender roles, especially when it comes to popular music styles, and especially in the traditionally male-dominated world of metal music. There are notable exceptions, and those exceptions are usually seen as both unexpected and cool. Both trans- and cis-females have a huge opportunity to break into styles like metal playing something like guitar, especially if they are really, really good at it. That said, I'm not saying people should take advantage of gender expectations to be successful. It's just how it is.
In terms of my music, I'm very much focused on finding ways to be successful as a musician while not shooting for fame and fortune, the concepts of which are quickly evaporating in today's failing music industry. Right now, I'm writing music for a rock musical that's being performed at a local college, and the music kind of veers between symphonic metal like Nightwish or heavier Queen, and more indie/alt-rock based piano stuff like Keane, Kings of Leon, and lighter Porcupine Tree. I know it sounds bizarre, but it works. It's kind of a tongue-in-cheek play, so the mish-mash of styles clicks. Anyway, I would love to work on minor productions like this, and maybe do some work for television or commercials, while maybe having a band on the side for fun. I think there are definitely ways to "make a living as a musician" today in a responsible, sane manner, and not always hoping for some big break that will probably never happen.
Pretty much. It's in part a definition problem. I wish we had a distinction like we do for cooks and chefs - or even better the distinction between boats and ships. Because you make some Kraft dinner for your kids you get to be a 'cook', but it does not make you a chef. Musician to me, is someone who makes their money making music, not just anyone who can strum the chords to Michael Row the Boat Ashore. If it's not your prime source of income, it's a hobby (albeit a very expensive one), nothing more.
Of course I am the person who when a band asked me once what they could do to attract more fans my first thought was "stop playing those songs."
BTW, most of the 'girls' of rock play bass.
And like any metal band they want a girl in the group so that there will be at least one in the hall when they play.
Quote from: tekla on August 21, 2011, 12:26:33 AM
BTW, most of the 'girls' of rock play bass.
I keep thinking of Kim Deal. She plays guitar with the Breeders, but I'll always think of her as a bassist. I love all her music. Also, she kicks ass.
I like her Pixies work more than the Breeders work, still. And my fav is still Kim Gordon. 30 years and Sonic Youth is still going strong. But more people have heard Carol Kaye than any other female bass player, even if they don't know it.
Carol Kaye professional (meaning they paid) credits.
"Good Vibrations" (The Beach Boys) [note - although she played on several sessions for this song, the released version didn't use any of them]
"Soul Reggae" (Charles Kynard)
"Andmoreagain" (Love)
"Homeward Bound" (Simon and Garfunkel)
"California Girls, Sloop John B, Help Me, Rhonda, Heroes and Villains" (The Beach Boys)
"Natural Man" (Lou Rawls)
"Come Together" (Count Basie)
"Feelin' Alright" (Joe Cocker)
"I Think He's Hiding" (Randy Newman)
"Games People Play" (Mel Tormé)
"Cantaro" (Gene Ammons)
"Wait 'Til My Bobby Gets Home" (Darlene Love)
"Goin' Out Of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (The Lettermen)
"Go Little Honda" (The Hondels)
"Hikky Burr" (Quincy Jones & Bill Cosby & TV theme)
"I'm a Believer" (The Monkees)
"Indian Reservation" (Paul Revere & the Raiders)
"In the Heat of the Night", "I Don't Need No Doctor", "America The Beautiful", "Understanding" (Ray Charles)
"It Must Be Him" (Vikki Carr)
"Little Green Apples" (O.C. Smith)
"Midnight Confessions" (The Grass Roots)
"Mission: Impossible Theme" (Lalo Schifrin)
"Mannix Theme" (Lalo Schifrin)
"Out of This World" (Nancy Wilson)
"Wichita Lineman" and "Rhinestone Cowboy" (Glen Campbell)
"River Deep - Mountain High" (Ike & Tina Turner)
"Scarborough Fair/Canticle" (Simon and Garfunkel)
"Sixteen Tons" (Tennessee Ernie Ford)
"Something Stupid" (Frank and Nancy Sinatra)
"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" (Nancy Sinatra)
"This Diamond Ring" (Gary Lewis & the Playboys)
"The Twelfth of Never" (Johnny Mathis)
"The Way We Were" (Barbra Streisand)
"Soul & Inspiration" bass, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" guitar (The Righteous Brothers)
"Suspicious Minds" (Elvis Presley) - some sources & Musicians Union contract
"Carry On" (JJ Cale) - JJ Cale Styles Book
Album credits on bass Selected highlights include:
Pet Sounds (The Beach Boys)
Light My Fire (Gábor Szabó and Bob Thiele)
Song of Innocence (David Axelrod, 1968)
Songs of Experience (David Axelrod, 1969)
Release of an Oath (The Electric Prunes, 1968)
There's A Whole Lalo Schifrin Goin' On (Lalo Schifrin, 1968)
Dirty Harry (score by Lalo Schifrin, 1971)
Northern Windows (Hampton Hawes)
Big Man (Cannonball Adderley)
Reelin' With The Feelin' (Charles Kynard)
Cameo (Dusty Springfield, 1972)
Hugo In Wonder-land (Hugo Montenegro)
Your Good Thing (Lou Rawls)
You've Made Me So Very Happy (Lou Rawls)
The Funky Organ-ization of Henry Cain (Henry Cain)
The Zodiac : Cosmic Sounds
Pride (Pride) (1970)
Thumbs up (Ray Pizzi, Carol Kaye, Mitch Holder)(1999)
Picking Up On The E-String (Carol Kaye) (1995)
Freak Out! (Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention)1965
Absolutely Free (Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention) 1966
Cosmic Brotherhood (Bill Plummer, 1968)
Recorded credits on guitar
"Then He Kissed Me" (The Crystals)
"Danke Schoen" (Wayne Newton)
"Johnny Angel" (Shelley Fabares)
"La Bamba" (Ritchie Valens)
"Let's Dance" (Chris Montez)
"Needles and Pins" (Jackie DeShannon)
"The Beat Goes On" (Sonny & Cher)
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" (The Righteous Brothers)
"The Birds and the Bees" (Jewel Akens), with a Leslie speaker effect
"Mannix Theme" (Lalo Schifrin)
"The Daily Planet" (Love)
Quote from: tekla on August 21, 2011, 12:53:11 AM
I like her Pixies work more than the Breeders work, still.
Yeah, no doubt. Though I love the Breeders too. I love Sonic Youth too. I haven't listened to them in a long time. Good idea! :)
They just did their 30th Annv. show last week on the pier in Brooklyn. They are out on tour now.
So Tekla you are either;
a) A producer.
b) A manager.
c) An elitist that has no place judging other's music because you're not producing any yourself.
And just because you can run a soundboard does not mean that you know your stuff.
Now, let's look at this cute picture of a hipster kitty. :)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdnimg.visualizeus.com%2Fthumbs%2F41%2Fca%2Fhumor%2Ccat%2Cculture%2Chipster%2Ckitten%2Cparody-41caf5b59c6285f9ac02bef7967652b5_h.jpg&hash=c406ba7a7cd80f42e614895cc951772b2abd95f7)
The idea of being a gimmick in a band is pretty upsetting, but its understandable in a genre like this. I think because girls make up a small percentage of the fans or even of people in metal bands they are at times put in a band for the image effect or to gain interest and its true i think for the most part that people do gain interest but most of the time it's more interest in the woman in the band than for the band's music itself. There's various bands that have a female member/s that people will say "those girls are the only thing selling any records for that band" and sometimes i believe its true because even if a band sucks guys will still say "the singer is hot" or "the bass player is hot" regardless of any talent they might have. Although there have been times where im insecure of my position in this band my band members for the most part have proven to me that i am a serious member of the band and not just the girl. they have also been long time friends of mine ive kinda seen them more as my brothers than just friends or band members. Since i do talk to my friends about a lot of things i brought up this conversation and they are all pretty diverse about their opinions about this topic- but all of my band members said the same thing- transwomen dont count as "true female" musicians since they were brought up as boys and most of them learned their music in their life as males, my band members also said that they believe that transwomen and ciswomen are not in the same category as musicians because transwomen were born male. I disagreed with them because i do believe that transwomen have always been women but their opinion is based more i guess on the genetic part of being trans. I think that women do have a different understanding of situations like this and males can be more bigoted and less tolerable or understanding- at least in this situation because we have a couple of friends that are gay and lesbian and they are completely ok and tolerable of them, ill even go as far as saying that my band members are probably transphobic. Getting back to the topic though i do consider myself a real musician and music lover yes i have made my own music as well and who knows if ill ever go far and as hard as it is for some people to believe i really am a big metal fan even though i am a girl and i would never go farther than playing music. Sometimes i think its dangerous to be a only girl in the band since sometimes there are 0 girls in the crowd and in those situations its like "all eyes on me" and as someone who is pretty shy thats not a good thing. Also one time during set up some guy got passed security at this little theater we were playing at and tackled me. It's just stressful sometimes but im cool with it. At this time my band has no video's but we are going to get mp3's soon and maybe ill post them up somewhere but as of now im greatful for your replies :)
He tackled you? o.O lol well, I think the whole female band member attracting attention thing is more true if she's the lead singer.
Music is a difficult business to be in. You can be very good but attract no attention. I'm serious about the being very good part. I attended a concert in the park last night. A local bluegrass band was playing. I'm not really into bluegrass but I've played bass with them on their jamming weekends when they invite everyone over for a BBQ. I had to admit that they were excellent musicians. Their vocals were flawless, their arrangements were solid, and their pickin' was very, very good. But they'll likely never make any money at it.
I do play professionally from time to time. Oddly enough, it isn't on the bass. It is on the cello. I've got like 10 basses and a cello.
I don't know that it matters all that much in general whether you are male or female as an instrumentalist any more. I'm sure that some genres may stray from that gross generalization. If you are good, people will want you to play. Whether you'll make any money? Who knows. Who cares. We do it because we like to do it. And if we happen to get noticed... well that would be icing on the cake.
Cindi
Quote from: Cindi Jones on August 21, 2011, 02:40:37 AM
Music is a difficult business to be in. You can be very good but attract no attention. I'm serious about the being very good part. I attended a concert in the park last night. A local bluegrass band was playing. I'm not really into bluegrass but I've played bass with them on their jamming weekends when they invite everyone over for a BBQ. I had to admit that they were excellent musicians. Their vocals were flawless, their arrangements were solid, and their pickin' was very, very good. But they'll likely never make any money at it.
I do play professionally from time to time. Oddly enough, it isn't on the bass. It is on the cello. I've got like 10 basses and a cello.
I don't know that it matters all that much in general whether you are male or female as an instrumentalist any more. I'm sure that some genres may stray from that gross generalization. If you are good, people will want you to play. Whether you'll make any money? Who knows. Who cares. We do it because we like to do it. And if we happen to get noticed... well that would be icing on the cake.
Cindi
Well, getting mainstream is really only if it's a genre that's popular at the time. Even then it depends on the production of the band's album, and whether or not they're marketed. There's been a rise in bands being recognised via Youtube, but that's only in special cases and if the band brings something new to any genre. Music is indeed a difficult business to get into, but personally I think that a person should be getting into only if it's what they enjoy. Because after all, it's about the music right? ;)
And Marta, thanks for sticking up for us! :D
My point exactly Madi!
I never get paid for playing bass. I'm not all that bad at it but I'm not all that good at it either.
One of the reasons I get cello gigs is that I can play anything for any band. The band stuff is super simple and it pays. I charge more when I solo for weddings. That sort of music is more difficult depending on whether they want classical or popular songs. The classical is the most difficult. And then, I play in the local symphony for free. So, yes, I don't really care so much about the money part. I feel like I am doing something that I enjoy and that I can share with other people who enjoy it as well.
I would say that if you are a true professional instrumentalist, work is available, but your name isn't posted anywhere and you usually don't get paid very much. I used to live in the LA area and work was much easier to find as an instrumentalist. I had friends that did pretty well. I kept my day job.
Cindi
But getting into the mainstream isn't the only way to make a living off being a musician and getting into the mainstream a lot of the time requires you to have good contacts. However there are plenty amazing artists that have small followings or bands that are known within particular fans on genres that might not be known to people that don't like it. In this day and age with the Internet it's all about how much and well you can market yourself, rather than what people you know to make money provided there's a niche for your style.
I mean you don't need to get extremely big to make a living off being a musician, for example the band Submotion Orchestra (one of my favourite bands at the moment :3) only have 7.7k fans on facebook, now while that may not be much compared to mainstream acts it is a hell of a lot of people, a lot of people clearly rigorously follow the band buying anything they put out. They would probably easy make a living of music without having mainstream chart topping #1's.
I'd define a musician to be anyone for whom playing music is a significant part of their life.
Yes, that includes people who never play outside their own bedroom.
Not all of these musicians have delusions about the quality or marketability of their music.
I think that more people should be making their own music.
(Ok, I don't necessarily want to listen to it.)
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/musician (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/musician)
Only in one definition does it even mention playing as a profession, and at that, it is not mandatory to fill the requirements for the definition of the word.
Anyways, Ive never called myself a musician, and in fact Ive been called that by everyone I know. I deny it, and they treat me as if I am crazy.
I just love music. Music has saved my life on countless occasions. Whether it is my music, or someone elses. Personally I could give a crap how many albums sold (gold= 100,000) or who they know, or what gender they are. Our souls have no gender. Music has the arcane ability to create a channel between the consciousness and the soul, to discount that on terms on popularity, gender, or financial solvency is to eliminate the only thing that makes music appetizing, the soul.
Marta: play your part, and if you're not content, keep pushing forward, but always try to ride parallel to the moment.
Thought I'd share this totally awesome video of this girl on Youtube. She's uploaded scads of videos of herself playing guitar to Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, and The Smiths songs, as well some on bass and a few on drums. I think she absolutely rocks! This is also one of my favorite songs to play on bass, so my heart skipped a beat watching this. ;D And for anyone who wants to criticize her using a pick, that's how Simon Gallup (the original bassist) played it and so she copied his technique. Quite intuitive!
So here she is playing "Another Journey by Train" by The Cure. Enjoy! ;D
Sa-weeeet! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fvxOaXqwxY#)
Zoe, that's about my skill level. But I do play a fretless bass which gives me a bit more control over several aspects of "the music". It's a lot easier to get that funky boing sound on a fretless. But, isn't that girl adorable?
Cindi
some musics...though it was all written by him, not me.
http://soundcloud.com/signal-noise/in-transition-1 (http://soundcloud.com/signal-noise/in-transition-1)
http://soundcloud.com/signal-noise/eyes-watch-from-the-darkness (http://soundcloud.com/signal-noise/eyes-watch-from-the-darkness)
http://soundcloud.com/signal-noise/mnemovore (http://soundcloud.com/signal-noise/mnemovore)
http://soundcloud.com/signal-noise/cage-paradox (http://soundcloud.com/signal-noise/cage-paradox)
Just thought I would share this since it relates to the title. :) And, Metalocalypse is a great show. ;)
Thunderhorse - Dethklok (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8A7JwhkilQ&feature=channel_video_title#)
And thanks Gravity Child for sharing those ambient tracks. I especially liked mnemovore.
I was always alientated from a lot of musicians I've worked with over the years. It wasn't related to gender but more related to the fact they all assumed I would be smoking dope or taking drugs like the rest of them were doing and I wasn't. I didn't like the drug culture that went with a lot of musicians.
Quote from: Naturally Blonde on August 25, 2011, 04:47:18 AM
I was always alientated from a lot of musicians I've worked with over the years. It wasn't related to gender but more related to the fact they all assumed I would be smoking dope or taking drugs like the rest of them were doing and I wasn't. I didn't like the drug culture that went with a lot of musicians.
Happily, I never took part in those rituals. So come hang out with me!
Quote from: niciwer on August 18, 2011, 06:15:41 PM
I've been in a few bands, and a big problem is that everybody wants to play guitar, and everybody can play guitar. Everybody wants to sing, but not everybody can. But generally, every band member is good at guitar. Most bass players play guitar primarily, but find it's easier to play in a band as a bassist.
And I don't think sex or gender has anything to do with it. Usually females are stereotyped to play bass or sing.
Nailed it. I have a song called "Just Another C*nt With A Guitar" and did a show at Sydney Fringe Festival about this exact phenomenon.
I will say girls tend to be stereotyped into a different style though, there is still a lot of sexism in music. A few months ago a guy came up to me after my bands set and told me how surprised he was that we didn't suck, when he saw three girls up there he thought it was going to be lame. Being rather drunk he then went on to hit on my (lesbian) bandmates.