If you’re a woman who plays guitar, you know that you often have to deal with a lot of misconceptions and sexist comments.
Here are 11 things you’re probably tired of hearing – and rest assured, many of the best female guitarists of all time have probably heard them, too.
Who is Best Female Guitarist?
There are a lot of talented female guitarists out there, making it hard to choose who is the best. However, if we look at technique, style and influence, then the answer might be Stevie Nicks, and here’s why:
- As a member of Fleetwood Mac, she helped to define the sound of classic rock, and her work as a solo artist has been just as influential.
- With her unique style, which blends folk and rock, she has created a sound that is all her own. When it comes to technique, she is a master of both rhythm and lead guitar, and her finger-picking style is instantly recognizable.
- She has also had a huge impact on other guitarists, both male and female. In fact, she is often cited as an inspiration by some of the biggest names in the business.
For all these reasons, Stevie Nicks is arguably the best female guitarist of all time.
Of course, there are plenty of other awesome famous female guitarists out there, too. We’ll talk a little bit more about the greatest female guitarists of all time later in this post – but for now, know that if you’re interested in becoming a female guitarist, there should be nothing standing in your way – certainly not the annoying things that other people might say!
Ready to start rocking out on that guitar? If you’re new to playing guitar, you may find that guitar lessons with TakeLessons can help. You’ll not only build the confidence you need to rock out with style, but you’ll also learn other cool tips and techniques, like what you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfZ64yEGPok
11 Annoying Things People Say to Female Guitarists
Female guitarists rock just as hard, if not harder than some men, yet the things people say to us sound like they’re straight from the 1950s!
Ladies, women, and girls, here are 11 of the most annoying things I’ve heard in my years of playing guitar. Maybe a few will sound familiar to you too?
1. Is that for your boyfriend?
Why do some people find it so unbelievable that you’re carrying your own gear or shopping at Guitar Center for yourself?
2. You’re pretty good for a girl.
Would you tell another musician he’s pretty good for a man? Nope. Please stop saying this.
3. Are you the singer?
Because that’s the only thing you think women are capable of? Please go back to rock and roll history and study Lita Ford, Joan Jett, Kaki King, Nancy Wilson, or any of the other hundreds of women who have made their mark in music with an ax in hand.
4. Oh, you’re IN the band!
If you’ve ever had trouble being allowed in to a venue for your own show, you know just how annoying this one can be. This is doubly annoying when someone assumes you’re a groupie.
5. You should show off your body more and be sexier.
Because when I asked for feedback on my performance, I really wanted to hear about how I looked. Even young girls aren’t immune from this misguided advice. Please stop making female performers feel like their sex appeal matters more than their music. It’s just sad.
6. You only got that gig because you’re hot.
Like a meaner, more petty version of the last comment, this implies that any attention or success you enjoy as a musician is all thanks to your looks. Luckily, people will mostly say this one behind your back, so you only need to roll your eyes when you hear this through the grapevine. Then you can get back to crushing it.
7. Do you want to be in a band? We’re looking for a chick bass player.
Why would you want to work with someone who’s already objectifying you before they’ve heard you play a single note?
8. Let me explain your gear to you.
I just haul it around, set it up, play it, own it, and love it. So sure, please tell me all about my amp.
9. Wow, are you going to play that?
Nope, I just carry a guitar around for fun.
10. Chick guitarists are hot! Do you want to jam sometime?
Unfortunately, nine times out of ten, they don’t really mean “jam”.
11. I don’t usually like chick music, but you were actually pretty good.
For the love of music everywhere, please stop acting as if music made by women is in its own single genre. There are women who shred and women who croon, women who get down and funky and women who play smooth, sweet jazz.
The sooner people can stop treating female musicians as novelties and start hearing us for the talents we possess, the sooner we all can enjoy a more equal and exciting music scene.
Who Are the Top 10 Female Guitarists?
From shredding solos to writing hits, these women have proved time and time again that they are forces to be reckoned with. In honor of these musical legends, here are the top 10 greatest female guitarists of all time.
1. Joan Jett
Joan Jett is a pioneer in the world of rock music. And she is among the best female rock guitarists! As the frontwoman of The Blackhearts, she has released eight studio albums and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame. She is also known for her work as a solo artist, with her hit song “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” becoming one of the most iconic anthems of all time. Jett continues to tour and perform to this day, inspiring new generations of guitarists with her hard-rocking sound.
2. Bonnie Raitt
A titan of the blues scene, Bonnie Raitt has won 10 Grammy Awards and released 20 studio albums over the course of her decades-long career. Her unique style blends slide guitar with upbeat rhythms, creating a sound that is both soulful and upbeat. In addition to her work as a solo artist, Raitt has also collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker, and Emmylou Harris. She was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
3. Nancy Wilson
Nancy Wilson is best known as one half of the hard rock duo Heart, which she formed with her sister Ann in Seattle in 1974. Heart rose to prominence in the 1970s with hits like “Crazy on You” and “Barracuda,” cementing their place as one of the most successful rock bands of all time. While Ann Wilson is the lead vocalist for Heart, Nancy Wilson is the band’s primary guitarist and songwriter, penning hits like “Alone” and “These Dreams.” Outside of Heart, Nancy Wilson has also had a successful career as a solo artist and actress.
4. Patsy Cline
Though she is best known as a country singer, Patsy Cline was also an accomplished guitarist. Her blend of honky-tonk and pop made her one of the most popular singers of her time, with songs like “Walkin’ After Midnight” and “Crazy” achieving massive success on both country and pop radio stations. Her crossover appeal helped pave the way for future generations of country singers who would find success on the pop charts. Sadly, Cline died at age 30 in a tragic plane crash, but her legacy continues to live on through her music.
5. Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell is a folk singer-songwriter who first rose to prominence in the 1960s with songs like “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Both Sides Now.” A master of open tunings, Mitchell creates complex soundscapes with her guitar that are layered and textured. She has won eight Grammy Awards over the course of her career and was inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. In addition to her work as a musician, Mitchell is also an accomplished painter whose works have been exhibited in galleries around the world.
6 . Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Etheridge is a singer-songwriter who first gained popularity in 1988 with her self-titled debut album which featured hits like “Bring Me Some Water” and “No Souvenirs.” A versatile performer, Etheridge’s music spans genres including rock, folk, blues, and country. She has won two Grammy Awards for Best Rock Vocal Performance – Female as well as an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “I Need to Wake Up” from An Inconvenient Truth . Etheridge is also an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights , using her platform to fight for equality .
How To Become One of the Most Famous Female Guitarists
Becoming famous is no easy feat. It takes years of dedication, talent, and hard work. But if you have what it takes and you’re willing to put in the effort, it’s definitely possible to achieve your dreams. Here’s a guide on how to become one of the most famous female guitarists in the world.
First and foremost, you need to be an exceptional guitarist. There are millions of people who can play guitar, but only a handful who are truly virtuosos. If you want to be one of the greats, you need to put in the hours of practice it takes to master your craft. Not only do you need to be technically proficient, but you also need to have your own unique style that sets you apart from the rest.
In addition to being a great guitarist, you also need to be a talented songwriter. You can’t just rely on covers or other people’s songs if you want to make it big. You need to create your own music that resonates with people and speaks to them on a personal level.Your songs should be catchy and memorable, so that even after just one listen, people will be singing them for days on end.
Last but not least, you need to have stage presence. Even if you’re not the most outgoing person in the world, you need to be able to put on a good show when you’re performing. People should be drawn to your energy and charisma when they see you perform live. If you can capture that magic and give fans an unforgettable experience, they’ll keep coming back for more.
Being famous is no easy feat, but if you have what it takes and you’re willing to work hard, anything is possible. So go out there and chase your dreams—you might just surprise yourself with how far you can go.
Want to Become the Best Female Guitarist? Push Those Annoying Comments Aside!
It can be tough being a woman in the male-dominated world of guitarists. You may have heard comments like “you don’t play like a girl” or “are you sure you’re doing that right?” But don’t let the haters get you down! If you’re passionate about becoming the best female guitarist out there, then follow these three tips.
First, practice, practice, practice. The more time you spend perfecting your craft, the better you’ll become.
Second, find a good guitar teacher who can help you learn the ropes and give you constructive feedback. And finally, don’t be afraid to experiment. Be bold and try new things; that’s how you’ll really stand out from the crowd.
With hard work and determination – and of course, a great guitar teacher – you’ll soon become the best female guitarist around—and all those nasty comments will be a distant memory.
Now it’s your turn. Ladies, what really grinds your gears? Share the most annoying thing someone has said to you about playing the guitar in the comments below!
Megan L.