Why do so few female musicians actually play an instruments?

Question: Why do so few female musicians actually play an instruments!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Hi,

This is an question I've been researching an answer to!. I have been a singer (female) for about 20 years and took up bass guitar several years later!. I eventually tried to put an all female band together for quite some time but found it next to impossible to find any female instrument players!.

I decided to do some research on this subject, and write a book about it!. I developed a website http://www!.cherylk!.com to introduce myself, explain my quest, and find interviewees for my writing project!.

I'm conducting a nationwide survey and interview with female musicians (and male musicians too for their perspective) about what it's like to be a female musician in this mostly male dominated field!.

Please contact me at mail@cherylk!.com or visit my website and request an email interview if you would like to participate!. I will be interviewing through 2008!.

I also have interview excerpts on the website from several interviews I've conducted so far!. Some of it is very interesting!. You may find some answers to this question!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I am a female professional musican who plays 4 instruments!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

There are just as many female musicians as males, but thanks to our history most professional orchestras do not have many women!. Most top tier orchestras have musicians that are well into their 60's and 70's which means they have tenure and have probably been there for decades!. As a result, not many positions open up and it's only been in the past decade or so that there's really been a push to hire women!. also, many European, and for a time American, orchestras refused to hire women!. This is why auditions are now screened and people hired based on ability only!. Yes, certain instruments do carry stereotypes, such as flute which tends to be primarily female musicians, but this is changing and more and more females are winning professional jobs!. For example, Carol Jantsch is breaking all sorts of stereotypes, as the first female principal tuba for the Philadelphia Orchestra!.!.!.and she's only 21!. Trust me, we're out there!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well, it depends on your stage in life!. When I was in junior high and high school, I would say it was 50% of females and males!. When going to college, it was about the same!. But when you graduate with your degrees, you go on to work in whatever career that may not be music since the music industry is so tough to break into!. I am a female professional brass player and am in the situation where I have chosen family over career!. It's a tough decision that men are less likely to face (not impossible but unlikely) because women are just more likely to stay home and take care of their children- at least until they are of school age!. And then as musicians we find ourselves behind the curve once we step out of the network and out of the practice room and focus on our children!. It is tough and scary and enough to make anyone go in any other direction!. It's a blessing and a curse- the ability to make beautiful music but those who are really meant to be in music will be in it no matter what the circumstance!. Good question!Www@QuestionHome@Com

You obviosuly don't listen to good music if you can't think of any female musicians who play instrumentsWww@QuestionHome@Com

idkWww@QuestionHome@Com

Actually, yeah, it does depend on the time period your talking about!. I play 2 instruments :)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Because woman naturally have NO talent!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

cause they r 2 busy shaking their $$$ maker on videos n cheap songs!.Www@QuestionHome@Com