I agree that the sex of a fluter is irrelevant, which is why I tend not to pay attention to it. Now, if someday there is "proven" (what an abused word) to be a link bewtween a person`s sex and their choice of instrument, I wouldn`t find that necessarily offensive either. Men and women are different; who knows what contributes to that decision? Maybe Freud.

So what did you think of my suggestion in my last post?

See:
http://encyclopedia.laborlawtalk.com/Tabula_rasa

and subsequent links at that site like Nature versus nurture and Human nature.

The problem with the differences of men and women is that they are treated differently from birth. This starts with what may appear to be as insignificant as color choices in clothing and in the nursery and continues with an infinite number of choices that are conveyed to the children of each gender. Children are extrimely observant of their parents and constantly learning what their parents intentionally or subconsciously teach to them. So, what is innate between the sexes and what is learned is difficult to seperate.

Many of our taught `differences` may stem from past human race history where the females were the ones that stayed at home and raised the children while the men went out and slaughtered the mastodons & fought off the varied dangers including the "glass ceiling" effect that Mrs. C mentions. I can only assume that this was probably based upon our male/female physical differences and their natural purposes. However, many people would argue that the old scenario is no longer valid in modern society. Men are capable of raising children properly while their spouses earn the money. Women can and do fight off our modern dangers effectively.

I for one, look forward to more music from the likes of the Cecile Chaminades and the Katherine Hoovers of the world

http://music.library.wisc.edu/rescoll/hoover.htm

~Bilbo

It stands to reason then, that males who take up the flute are made of much stronger stuff, especially if they have to put up with sexist and homophobic comments and insinuations.

Isn`t it a sad irony that flute-playing is one of the very few professions where MEN are the ones who need stronger emotional reserves just to cope with going to work?

Isn`t it a sad irony that flute-playing is one of the very few professions where MEN are the ones who need stronger emotional reserves just to cope with going to work?


You think that`s bad, just try being a male harpist. Despite the large number of men who play the harp it seems most people have never heard of anyone but a woman playing.

But overall, flute or harp or anything else, I play what I want and anyone who wants to give me grief be damned.

Wasn`t Harpo Marx an accomplished Harpist... hence his name. Only famous Harpist I know.

Interesting about harpists,
I just played a gig with harp yesterday and we discussed the "g a y" issues a bit. He doesen`t hold it against me that I`m a straight male flutist. Conversely, his persuasion is irrellevant to me but some ask him about the stigma. He said, Yes Harpo Marx is well known as a very accomplished harpist before being part of any comedy team. He also pointed out that a predecessor named King David was also a well reveired harpist. That one usually throws the hardcore religious. We both agree that if someone brings up the issue, it should be stomped out quickly and put to rest. I don`t think that it matters to the quality of music if the player is (well you know) if the music is good, appreciate it.
If any of you flutists ever get a chance to play with any harpist, it`s great. Enjoy it for music`s sake.
~Bilbo

Harpists wrote:
He also pointed out that a predecessor named King David was also a well reveired harpist. That one usually throws the hardcore religious.
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Snot replies:
Really? Where was this survey conducted?

While Harpo is definitely a well known harpist, and was fairly good (although not really great, more innovative), he was actually a comic long before a harpist.

It was on the road doing Vaudeville that his mother, Minnie Marx, decided that Arthur needed an instrument. Groucho played guitar, and Chico played piano. Arthur could play piano but that was already covered by Chico, so Minnie found a harp.

Arthur taught himself to play. It was during a poker game where a friend decided everyone would be called by a nickname for the night that Arthur Marx and his brothers` got their names by which they were known from then on.

Now to keep this on topic, what would he have been called if he had played the flute? Flutto just doesn`t sound right.

In our Concert Band, the first AND second flautists are guys.

Look I think that it is stupid to fight over how many flutes are males and how many female! If you enjoy it play it if you dont you dont. I was just starting to wonder if there are any guy flutist because I have never met one. I really would like to because it would make a beliver out of me and yes make sectionals for MB much more interesting!

I don`t think anyone is fighting. At least, I`m not.

Im sorry I just dont like the whole idea of there being less female pros than males. I was achally hopeing one day to go pro.

It makes no difference if there are more or less female pros. No matter how the exact numbers fall there are still plenty of both men and women professionals on virtually every instrument.

These days in the world of professional musicians your gender will not be a hindrance if you want to play professionally. What matters is how well you play. You may get some odd looks from the more uninformed, but in the professional world it is talent (and contacts) that matter most.