January 25, 2010 Rare Birds: Women bass players and drummers
All-women bands are a rare thing. Within all-women bands, there are two particularly rare birds: drummers and bass players. Female vocalists and guitarists are everywhere, but women over age 25 who can play bass? Nuh-uh.
The band I’m in is all women over age 40. We gig regularly with originals and covers, and as we go along we try to encourage women to pursue their dreams, musical or otherwise. Occasionally I see a glimmer of hope on craigslist or local music posts as young women in their teens- to early-20s post that they play bass or drums and are looking for bands to play in…a developing trend?
I feel rather pioneer-y in this way; that maybe we can be role models for those coming up after us, that women of any age can be musicians, too. In the meanwhile we sure could use a good female bass player over age 25 in the Dallas area.
Reader Comments (4)
I am a woman, age 39, & I play bass guitar, but I have not been able to find a band since every local ad I see for bands looking for a bass player only want people under age 30. Well, at least this gives me hope that someday I will...
LBG, have you thought about pulling together your own band? Think of it this way - with you playing bass, you've already found the rarest gem! I've found women drummers easier to find than bass players; guitarists, keyboardists and vocalist are plentiful. btw Merry and the Mood Swings gets noticed because we are all women (unusual) and all over age 40 (even more unusual). Go for it! Also, GoGirls is a nationwide organization for women musicians that can be helpful.
I am just starting out and I play bass, guitar and piano. I find it hard to deal with teenage boys who only want to shread. I play different venues with a group of older teens but I am looking to play more music that I like. As well as develop my playing. (I am 12)
PS I forget its hard to find other girls who want to play.
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