I am curious, How many other women

KarenAnn

read this forum on a regular basis?

Stringswinger

The silence on this thread answers your question. A genre of music that celebrates virtuosity over musicality is most popular with men. It is as simple as that. Seattle guitarist Brian Nova once told me a story about the late, great Joe Pass. Brian was about to do a duo show with Joe when Joe told him that half of the audience would probably be guitar players and the other half would be their wives.

Bob Holo

I wonder if a lot of it is that there are so many guys on this particular forum that it can feel odd to hang out here. My wife is in the Master Gardener program and the Hardy Plant Society. I find horticulture very interesting, but I almost never go to their get-togethers because it turns out to be me and a room full of women. They're great ladies, but with 30+ women and me, it sort of feels like I'm intruding. Sometimes my wife will say: "Hey - Jim's coming." (or Kai or Rick - there are a few of us) and then I'll go. It's not that I even spend the night talking to "the other guy in the room" when I get there. Not at all... it just feels more normal when I'm not the only one. I've always been made to feel more than welcome and would consider at least a quarter of them to be 'long time friends'. It's just... I don't know... some sociological phenomenon.

Just thought of something funny - perhaps more related to the other threads on this... Last year, HPSO invited some famous British gardener to speak about some cultivar common to English gardens. During the after-party, one lady did a head-nod toward the guest speaker who was on the other side of the room, and summoned her best Phryne Fisher impression and said: "Oh, he's delicious (or something like that) and another responded: "If I were a few years younger, I'd ask him for a personal consultation...." Then they had a tongue-in-cheek conversation about hiring hot young male gardeners to do the speeches to increase membership. It didn't make me feel awkward - I found it funny & so did my wife. But I know those ladies well, and we have a lot of history together and I suppose that sort of joke goes better one way than the other.

Anyway, I'm glad Karen Ann hangs out here. She's great. Wonderful jammer... Comes to Djangofest... all of that. (I think you're that Karen - maybe not.)

Lango-Django

KarenAnn, here's another old male geezer encouraging you not to be discouraged by the overwhelming scent of testosterone around here... if you've ever attended Django in June in Northampton MA, you'll know that there ARE others besides you, and that each of you is as welcome as the flowers in May.

Jazzaferri

I have no answer to the number, but would add my encouragement to all ladies to join in.

IMO, things generally work best when there is a mix of both in any group. Whether it be music, politics (just look at what a mess we men have made of the world) clubs business, government.....both sexes bring something different and special to the proverbial table.

DragonPL

Seems like classical music is the only music genre that "treats everyone equally". There are plenty of ripping female players: Ana Vidovic, this lady ...don't have time to list them now. I believe that has to do with a method of teaching-learning. In classical guitar (any classical instrument for that matter), the methods are structured i.e. school/conservatory, that's why there's more uniformity and perhaps less cultural, gender, what ever boundaries. In cultural, popular music that's different, no real formal structure on the learning process and perhap some boundaries. ..

KarenAnn

Thanks for the encouragement. I love the music so don't really worry about being in the minority. I know of one other lady who posts occasionally. I really did wonder if there were others out there, who had not made their presence known. Maybe they only lurk and have not registered.
I agree there are many accomplished female classical guitarists. Too bad there are not more in jazz. I was very fond of Emily Remler. Even she made comments about feeling she had to always prove herself.

@ Bob Holo, I only made it to Djangofest once. I was taking beginner rhythm classes from Dennis. Certainly not up to jamming yet. But glad to hear there is a lady out there that is. I bought my Rhythm Bitch t-shirt and hope to wear it proudly one day!

On a side note. At about 24:28 in the below you tube video, Bireli recommends a guitar called Avex? I think that is what he says. Are you familiar with that?


BTW, great concert with Benoit Convert on rhythm.

If I can ever work it out I will try to make it to Django in June. My work has me travelling a lot that time of year.

Loritmo

Hey, KarenAnn, glad to see you're still reading the forum. That makes at least two of us women. I finally made it to DIJ last year and it was as wonderful as you hear and, as BobH said, the ratio of women there is not quite as skewed as it seems to be on the forum. But if work doesn't allow you to get to DIJ, try to get back out here for DFNW -- would be good to see you again.

Lorretta

KarenAnn

Hi Lorretta, Good to hear from you. Enjoyed meeting you at DFNW. I had a blast out there. Have not made it to DIJ yet. It is interesting that more women come to that. I hope to make it up there sometime. But I do enjoy all those concerts out at DFNW. Sending you a PM. Karen

dorkydave1

Hi KarenAnn, I see that you are in Virginia; any chance you are down near Richmond? There is a small gypsy jazz scene here (2 active groups), and there is an annual Djangoary concert here - Gypsy Roots from Ashland always plays, and this year's headliner was Stephane Wrembel. It was held at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center in Henrico County the last two years.

Jazmin

Hey there, women of GJ!! I'm Jazmin from Mexico, i love this forum, i read it regularly, i just don't post much but it's great to see more women out here.
I went to DIJ on 2013 it was amazing! Jamming all day, everyday and i met a bunch of women there that play too! I mean like 5 haha...
Cheers!