For the third and final section of my musicology class, we have been discussing the social identities and gender roles in music. There have been many parallels between what has been discussed in that class, and what is being discussed in this class. For example, the gender roles in pop music, and the expectations of music stars based on their gender has been a large discussion, along with the discussion of how people view music (and how lyrics can change) when listeners are made aware of background information about the singer or song. For example, in the song Constant Craving by KD Lang, the lyrics may be initially interpreted a certain way and people may feel as though they connect to the lyrics for their own personal reasons. However, when listeners learn that this song was about Lang's struggle with her lesbianism and sexuality (the song came out in the same year that Lang came out as a lesbian), the attitude and interpretation, and all around perspective on the song may completely change.
Additionally, we discussed how in the past, music (and art in general) has been deemed as a feminine thing, yet men still dominate. Can you name one woman composer? Have you ever seen a woman conductor? Girls in my class, who are students in the Performing Arts Technology program, said the program was probably only 20% and 80% male. They spoke of how even though they were just as qualified, men would ask them if they needed assistance as if they were incapable of executing something without the help of a male.
We also spoke of how some instruments and sounds are even seen and heard as feminine or masculine, such as harps and flutes seen as feminine due to the sweet, light, beautiful sounds, and tubas and basses seen as masculine due to the low, booming, louder sounds.
It is interesting to note the gender roles in music, for they are everywhere. I look forward to studying this further.
This blog post is clear and convincing and I enjoy reading it. You talk about how gender roles influence singers and songs, the proportion of men and women in music composing and performing and even people's perspective towards certain instruments. It shows that social identities have penetrated into many aspects of our life.
ReplyDeleteI was also always fascinated by the fact that no one can easily name a famous women composer or conductor. I feel that it happens because women are expected to take care of the family, so they cannot fully immerse themselves to music. They have other, maybe more important things, from the social perspective.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I noticed that some guys I know, who play the piano or flute, never mention it in public out of fear to look feminine. On opposite, boys who mastered guitar or drums love shoeing off. I think that such images of "feminine" and "masculine" instruments often prevent people from accepting their passion of it seems to be unusual for a specific gender.