Re: Women in a Mans World of Bluegrass
The jams in my area are small, but there are always a couple women. I don't think it's coincidence that none of the women are what I would call shy or retiring - they are all quite capable of leading, picking the songs and standing their ground in a disagreement.
Have worked as an engineer and a geologist, and had hobbies of racing cars and racing sailboats, what I've found over the years is that, as a woman in a man's world, getting respect requires demanding it - being quiet and shy works for a very competent man and not so much for women, regardless of competency or even brillance.
I think there are some groups out there who are happy to never change members, never get new people in. Those groups are going to be tough to crack and probably not worth the effort. Life is too short for that, find a group that is fun and that seems welcoming, and get in the middle of it. A group that is used to getting new people in isn't likely to mind that. I bring food, too, little offerings help....
As far as the couple dynamic - for me that got sorted out early on business trips where I'd be in the only woman in the group, staying in a hotel with a bunch of guys. Of course it also worked in reverse years later where most of the people on my husband's engineering team were women and a decade or two younger than he was: "What's that? You're going to Italy in the spring with 3 young women? Huh. Bring me back a good bottle of wine."
Last edited by Mo Soar; Aug-12-2012 at 2:06pm.
1918 Gibson A, "Lillian";
1940s (?) Kay A style f hole - currently down for a refret and fretboard re-profile, my first attempts (with guidance) at lutherie.
1981 Washburn M7SN (2 point);
2011 Eastman 504, "Belle";
2012 Lafferty mahogany octave mandolin;
2012 Emando (Saga), "Hank"
1 husband, 2 dogs, 4 chickens.
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