Posted by Kelley on July 23, 1997 at 00:09:54:
In reply to Violins--a man's world posted by Jessamyn on July 20, 1997 at 13:49:19
] Yes, I've read in various places that playing the violin (for example) was considered not quite nice for a woman. This has always amused me because I play the violin, and in fact work for a magazine for players of violin-family instruments. All the rising stars these days seem to be demure young Asian women.
] It may be something as simple as the fact that it's very difficult to sing with a violin under your neck--but no, that wouldn't be a problem with the cello. It may be the faint gypsy connotation of the violin. Or perhaps it's because dancing-masters (who weren't very high up in society) almost invariably used violins.
Could it be also that it's easier to make progress on an instrument such as the pianoforte, making it easier for young women to exhibit in front of company? It's often been pointed out to me that beginners at the piano sound better than beginners at stringed instruments. I don't mean any harm by this; this is just something that I've heard a lot.
Posting followups to old messages is disabled; instead go to the main index and post a new message which mentions this one.