Why are there so few female pipers ?

[Joseph E. Smith]

I am certainly far too narrow minded to take any of this (inset explative here) very seriously... narrow mindedness is bliss and all that.

But is this really the forum for a battle of the sexists?

[Nanohedron]

I am certainly far too narrow minded to take any of this (inset explative here) very seriously... narrow mindedness is bliss and all that.

But is this really the forum for a battle of the sexists?

You know, it's really something how even on a forum where you can't get any nerdier than uilleann pipes....oh, hell. Sure. Yeah, why not. The instrument hasn't moved out out the 19th century, essentially, after all.

[Joseph E. Smith]

I am certainly far too narrow minded to take any of this (inset explative here) very seriously... narrow mindedness is bliss and all that.

But is this really the forum for a battle of the sexists?

You know, it's really something how even on a forum where you can't get any nerdier than uilleann pipes....oh, hell. Sure. Yeah, why not. The instrument hasn't moved out out the 19th century, essentially, after all.

I guess I see your point.... *sigh*... what a pain in the...(inset another explative here).

[Nanohedron]

Oh, say it. Just go on; SAY it. "Pain. In. The. Outlet valve."

[Joseph E. Smith]

... poop shoot... there, you happy now Nano?

[Nanohedron]

Why, Joseph. I'm shocked. Shocked.

I like yer signature GIF cartoony thing. Makes me think of all the nice flamewars we've been able to warm our tootsies at.

[Cathy Wilde]

The mechanics of the whole mess are what put me off initially. Reedmaking, so many moving parts, tools required, woodworking and math-ey stuff, etc. Piping sort of seemed the purview of persnickety men with proper workshops, or guys who like to work on cars.

I don't think it's that. Reedmaking, while a hassle (I admit -- I don't do it), is probably less complicated and persnickety than "traditionally" feminine pursuits such as weaving or embroidery. There are also plenty of other women involved in craftswomen-type professions. For example, most of the saddle makers I know are female.

Well, I can only speak for this woman, of course. But the gouges and calipers and affiliated stuff were off-putting to me at first (although now that I've started reedmaking, I'm actually enjoying destroying tube after tube of innocent cane -- so far, at least); they were sort of instruments of the black arts.

Then again, I'm old enough to not have much exposure to workshops. When I was in school (1970s), it was assumed girls would take Home Ec and boys would take shop. It was a big deal to get into shop, and not many girls wanted the hassle of, or attention gained from, bucking the system -- I assume those would be the same reasons guys didn't usually take Home Ec. They had shop, we didn't. So, like I said in the flute thread, I think some of it's just cultural mores as promulgated by public education.

Finally, I'll admit to a pretty regular twinge -- and again, I think this has to do with my age and when I was brought up -- of feeling unladylike when I start heaving away. I think younger women don't have this baggage, so I expect we'll see more women pipers eventually.

... Oh yeah, and the bag and bellows can be kinda hard on the arms, especially at first.

Interesting about the saddle makers -- of the 8 or 9 I've known over the years, only one's a woman. Tack's a major boys' club here in my part of Kentucky -- where do you live?

[rorybbellows]

Trust the mods to bring this topic down.Heres another topic,but maybe for the pub.Why are forums plagued by over reaction,misunderstanding and super-sensitivity.If I was to say that most coal miners are men because its a phyically demanding job,would it be fair to call me a sexist? Judging by some of the attitudes so far the answer would probably be yes.

RORY

[Joseph E. Smith]

Well, I can only speak for this woman, of course. But the gouges and calipers and affiliated stuff were off-putting to me at first (although now that I've started reedmaking, I'm actually enjoying destroying tube after tube of innocent cane -- so far, at least); they were sort of instruments of the black arts.

Then again, I'm old enough to not have much exposure to workshops. When I was in school (1970s), it was assumed girls would take Home Ec and boys would take shop. It was a big deal to get into shop, and not many girls wanted the hassle of, or attention gained from, bucking the system -- I assume those would be the same reasons guys didn't usually take Home Ec. They had shop, we didn't. So, like I said in the flute thread, I think some of it's just cultural mores as promulgated by public education.

Finally, I'll admit to a pretty regular twinge -- and again, I think this has to do with my age and when I was brought up -- of feeling unladylike when I start heaving away. I think younger women don't have this baggage, so I expect we'll see more women pipers eventually.

... Oh yeah, and the bag and bellows can be kinda hard on the arms, especially at first.

Interesting about the saddle makers -- of the 8 or 9 I've known over the years, only one's a woman. Tack's a major boys' club here in my part of Kentucky -- where do you live?

The most sensible post to date.

[Nanohedron]

... Oh yeah, and the bag and bellows can be kinda hard on the arms, especially at first.

Not really a girl-thing, if it's any consolation. Had a little spell eating aspirin, myself; I may be no hulk, but I'm not altogether a wisp, either. Plus that black-and-blue mark on my bellows hip...not attractive.

[Joseph E. Smith]

Trust the mods to bring this topic down...
RORY

For you, any time, any time.

[Nanohedron]

C'mon, Joseph. Let's go eat some worms. My treat.

[rorybbellows]

Well, I can only speak for this woman, of course. But the gouges and calipers and affiliated stuff were off-putting to me at first (although now that I've started reedmaking, I'm actually enjoying destroying tube after tube of innocent cane -- so far, at least); they were sort of instruments of the black arts.

Then again, I'm old enough to not have much exposure to workshops. When I was in school (1970s), it was assumed girls would take Home Ec and boys would take shop. It was a big deal to get into shop, and not many girls wanted the hassle of, or attention gained from, bucking the system -- I assume those would be the same reasons guys didn't usually take Home Ec. They had shop, we didn't. So, like I said in the flute thread, I think some of it's just cultural mores as promulgated by public education.

Finally, I'll admit to a pretty regular twinge -- and again, I think this has to do with my age and when I was brought up -- of feeling unladylike when I start heaving away. I think younger women don't have this baggage, so I expect we'll see more women pipers eventually.

... Oh yeah, and the bag and bellows can be kinda hard on the arms, especially at first.

Interesting about the saddle makers -- of the 8 or 9 I've known over the years, only one's a woman. Tack's a major boys' club here in my part of Kentucky -- where do you live?

The most sensible post to date.

Yes indeed and I think there are more women pipers than there used to be but still alot less than men.

RORY

[ferris54]

Answer is simple, thier breasts get in the way

[Nanohedron]

For sure that would apply to the accordion too, I'm thinking, being's they're pinchy and all. Probably explains why the guy players wear trousers.