I do not know, this kind of irriates me, but I love how I am the only guy flute and piccolo player in my H.S and some people say im !*****! since I am the only one, if people actually knew what they were talking about it would really make them look better, many famous flutist, makers are men, like William S Haynes, and Kurt Gemeinhardt, not including the many professionals like Gary Sigurson, Walter Auer, Gary Shocker, and more.

*saying im G** because I play the flute sorry

Isn't it interesting how some people think that instruments themselves are associated with a certain "gender"? Kind of hilarious, really... Anyway, just because someone plays a certain instrument doesn't make them any sort of thing that they are not. I myself have recently learned flute this summer and love its sound, but I don't have much ability to be able to play it well enough. In the end, if you want to do something, you should put aside what people say and go for it.

i can care less what they say its pure ignorance but sometimes its just irritating, ive been playing flute for 5 years and im very good im not giving it up for someone elses remarks

I think that happens to most guys who start playing flute in their youth. It certainly happened to me. Such comments only show the ignorance of the people making them, though. You might try pointing out that up until the 20th century, it was basically socially unacceptable for females to play the flute...They were relegated to strings or keyboard instruments. Historically, the flute was a masculine instrument. And annoying as it might be, it's probably not going to end any time soon, so don't pay any attention to them, and keep on doing what you enjoy.

Well there have been a few posts on this subject recently and It kind of frosts me that any instrument can be considered for a gender relation.

This concept is part of a society that tries to assign certain criteria to what is considered manly or what is considered feminine. As an example should girls be physically weaker than boys and should they play with dolls? Should real men watch sports, memorize endless sports statistics in big easy chairs and get fat eating Bratwursts (Brats) and nacho chips?

I have 5 boys as students right now. It's my personal record and I know of at least three other boys off the top of my head that play flute in this area. I treat them no differently than any of my other students.

I find nothing in my flute case that indicates that flute is a girl's instrument. I think that some boys may be afraid of playing an instrument that to be played well involves 1)a deceptively high degree of skill and artistic expertice. 2) Competetion in these skills with the possibility of loosing against girls.

Look up Greg Pattillo on You Tube and also research his college teacher, Josh Smith, his predecessor- effrey Khaner, HIS predecessor, Maurice Sharpe, Then there's Jimmy Walker, Emmanuel Pahud, Michel Debost, Mathieu Dufour, Kincaid, Rampal....the list is too long.

http://www.flutecorner.com/famousflutists.htm
James Galway

Yes, I agree, I think every guy who makes the decision to play flute knows that there will always be that ignorant person who puts instruments into categories of gender, such as flute. In fact, this really surprised me, my best friend's dad is a band director of numerous schools in my district, and always chuckles to himself and says " heh, Guys flutist". And personally that surprises me, since he himself is musician. You just have to let it go and let it not effect you. I wish you the best with these types of people.

-Justin

im a girl. i play trombone. i am now a lesbian.


yeah, ok...

I have to jump in since I just got done posting a whole long list of replies about this very topic. I see everyone saying the same thing here and most places. Most all say something along the lines of: "You have to rise above this, not let it get to you..." and many words to that effect. The point that always gets lost for some stupid reason is that we HAVE risen above that.

Many of us picked the instrument knowing full well all these conditions are imposed wrongfully by society (especially in the midwest where I grew up). Those are not really helpful words, even though they are true, we are already "above it". What is missed is the fact that some people actually think you are g@y or something. They really do think that. Then because a person like me who is straight gets hanged for being a g@y basher since I consider it an insult. It's an insult simply because I am being called something I am not. I have nothing against g@ys, so why is it an insult to g@ys for me to feel insulted when I am called that? It's so simple. I don't like being called something I am not. I am not a pink elephant, and if you call me that it is probably rude. If you call me the world's greatest flutist, I am insulted. I am NOT the world's greatest flutist, not even close...I am only an amateur.

I have asked for understanding, and most adults are above these things, but not all, and kids are obviously far from these things, it's always harder for a kid. Don't say ignore it, don't say rise above it, we know that already. What we need to know is why does this have to become some smack at g@ys when in fact it isn't at all. If anyone fails to see my point, let's talk about it. Discuss it. Also, if a person is a g@y flutist, don't say something like, "yeah, figures"...that is just as rude and also a problem!

In all of this, it is not a g@y question, or a straight one, in fact playing the flute has nothing to do with either. That is so obvious to most people, yet we see people talking about it. So, there is something to this. There is substance to the thought. It is sad really. Thanks for letting me vent...*sigh*