Music is perceived as gendered through various societal norms and expectations. Certain genres and styles are often associated with masculinity or femininity, while gendered stereotypes shape the way we perceive musical expression and the roles of musicians based on their gender.
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Music is a powerful form of expression that has the ability to shape and reflect societal norms and expectations. Throughout history, music has been perceived as gendered, with certain genres, styles, and roles associated with either masculinity or femininity. This perception stems from the influence of cultural, social, and historical factors.
Gender stereotypes heavily influence the way we perceive and evaluate musical expression and the roles of musicians based on their gender. For instance, various genres such as heavy metal, hip-hop, or rock have typically been associated with masculinity, while genres like ballet, opera, or pop have often been associated with femininity. These associations can be attributed to the specific characteristics, themes, and performances associated with each genre.
Notably, the perception of gender in music does not only concern the performers but also impacts the audience’s response and reception. Studies have shown that individuals often attribute certain qualities, emotions, or traits to music based on their perceptions of gender. This can lead to gendered expectations and biases in evaluating the talent, skill, and success of musicians.
One interesting fact is that the gendering of music is not a static phenomenon but evolves over time. In the past, women were often discouraged from pursuing certain musical genres or roles due to societal expectations of femininity. However, in more recent years, there has been a growing push for gender inclusivity and the dismantling of gender stereotypes in music.
It is important to note that breaking free from gendered perceptions in music can be challenging. As the music industry continues to evolve, perceptions surrounding gender are slowly shifting. It is crucial to create a more inclusive and diverse space where musicians can be celebrated for their artistry and talent, regardless of their gender.
A well-known resource, Women’s Audio Mission, highlights the impact of gender on perceptions of music. They state, “Historically, men have dominated many areas of music production. Gender stereotypes have affected how we perceive music that is created, produced, and performed by women. These stereotypes can cause bias in the evaluation of music and undermine the recognition and visibility of women in music.”
Table:
| Genre | Association with Masculinity | Association with Femininity |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Metal | Aggression, power, rebellion | – |
| Hip-Hop | Assertiveness, street culture, dominance | – |
| Rock | Strength, rebellion, instrument mastery | – |
| Ballet | Grace, elegance, refined movements | – |
| Opera | Expressive emotions, dramatic performances | – |
| Pop | Catchy melodies, emotional lyrics, visually appealing | – |
Overall, the perception of music as gendered is deeply rooted in societal norms and expectations. By recognizing and challenging these gendered perceptions, we can foster a more inclusive and diverse music industry that celebrates the talent and artistry of all musicians, regardless of gender.
On the Internet, there are additional viewpoints
The sex or gender of its composer is identifiable from the musical content of a composition; perception of gendering of music is related to the sex of the listener; musical sounds, or the organization of sounds within a composition, infer sex, or gender characteristics.
Music is a dynamic mode of gender. The basic structures of music have been held to be gendered. However, results do not support claims that music structures are inherently gendered. Gendered properties are imposed subjectively by the listener, and these are primarily related to the tempo of the music. The history of musical form and structure is described as “a heavily gendered legacy”.
Music has been described as “a dynamic mode of gender” (Taylor, 2012) “an essentially gendered discourse”, “a marker of sexual identity…” meaningful only within a context of “…gender, race and ethnicity” (Treitler, 2011), “fraught with gender-related anxieties,” and the history of musical form and structure described as “a heavily gendered legacy.… bound up with issues of gender”, and that “classical music—no less than pop—is…
The basic structures of music have been held to be gendered (Maus, 1993; Brett et al., 2006), described as “gender-related characteristics of the music itself” (Green, 1997a, p. 139) and as the “gendered meanings of absolute music” (p. 167), “…present in the resolution of chromaticism to the triad”…thereby…“taking on the cultural cast of femininity” (McClary, 1991, p. 124).
Results did not support claims that music structures are inherently gendered, nor proposals that performers impart their own-sex-specific qualities to the music. It is concluded that gendered properties are imposed subjectively by the listener, and these are primarily related to the tempo of the music.
You might discover the answer to “How is music perceived as gendered?” in this video
The video “Gender Roles and Stereotypes” explains that gender role stereotypes are expectations placed on individuals based on their gender. Historically, traditional gender roles have been unequal and have restricted people’s behavior, particularly concerning emotions. Additionally, these stereotypes influence people’s perspective of beauty, resulting in unhealthy practices such as dieting, exercise, and even plastic surgery to conform. However, society’s expectation of gender roles has become more flexible nowadays, allowing people to express themselves more freely.
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Men and women seem to be equally interested in music at first, but gender imbalance still appears on music specific apps or services : most music services have audiences that skew male.