This archaic and masculine model (or overtly sexualized when women are depicted) perpetuated by these writers has long been dead in many of our communities.
The role of the guitar hero is almost always speculated upon in these articles. In an attempt to fill some of the gaps left by the New York Times piece, we aim to answer the following questions: Why are mainstream publications repeatedly failing to document our experiences and stories? What parts of the guitar and its culture are we saying goodbye to? Who are we welcoming and how is that shifting our understanding of guitar culture, education, and community? Death to the Guitar Hero Imagine how these guitar death/rebirth pieces might read if they were written by a woman of color guitarist-the choices in language, representation, and dialogue would be drastically different, and more representative of players as a whole. Mainstream media, as we mentioned in “ Changing Tides: The Evolution of Women in Music Media,” shapes our understanding of who truly embodies and belongs in guitar and music culture. Apparently we, a community of diverse players from many different backgrounds and ages, are not included.Ĭollage from “Changing Tides: The Evolution of Women in Music Media” featuring Aretha Franklin, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Mamie Smith These same regurgitated voices and images preserve an antiquated guitar industry and culture, and in turn, these pieces speak exclusively to an older, white demographic. The inherent problem lies in who’s doing the writing (older white men), who they are writing for (certainly not us, who make up half the market), who is invited into the conversation (older men), and who is being visually represented (cis white men and women).
However, this piece fails us in the same ways previous writing about the relevance of guitar has: the visual portrayal and influence of BIPOC women are nowhere to be found and, more often than not, images of women rely on sexualized and feminine depictions. The piece includes quotes from some of the industry’’s leading companies, demographic statistics, the influence of the guitar hero, and a few slight nods to the role of women. This critical progression of both motive and player offered the industry a seemingly clear cut way to resurrect the guitar: by taking the demands of women-especially those of women of color-more seriously, and offering more visibility.Īnd yet, many music industry leaders and media outlets seem to prefer to bury the guitar alive-or wait for a catastrophic pandemic-rather than include us in the conversation.Įarlier this month, the New York Times published, “ Guitars Are Back, Baby!,” which reflects on 2020’s record-breaking increase of guitar sales due to the pandemic. However, the following year Fender’s market research showed that the market was evolving: the new generation’s motivation had shifted, with a focus on emotional benefits, and 50 percent of all beginner and aspirational players identified as women-with 19 percent as Black and 25 percent as Latinx. In 2017, Geoff Edgars published a requiem for the guitar in the Washington Post with “ The Slow, Secret Death of the Electric Guitar.” According to the piece, electric guitar sales had dropped significantly during the previous decade, from about 1.5 million annually to just over 1 million, and the biggest names in the business were either bankrupt, in debt, or making major budget cuts. Throughout the month we’ll be conducting giveaways specifically to our 1RiffADay community so make sure you sign up to participate in the challenge before January 1st! See you all soon!!
But for those who want to further commit we’re offering a 1RiffADay starter packthat includes an assortment of essentials, like our notebook and pencil pack, and a limited edition #1RAD sticker only available for those committing at this level (starter packs will be sent on January 1st).ĥ0% of the money from started packs will fund our Gear Redistribution Project, and the other 50% will go to continuing to hire women and non binary curriculum instructors.Īdditionally, the winner will receive a feature in She Shreds and bundle from our merch store.
Five finger death punch bad company flp free#
This year we’re doing things a little differently, and asking those who really want to see and feel a difference in their playing to commit to themselves, and invest in the community.
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