Why do some people think the piano sounds "gay"?

[jbmajor]

I've heard people comment on this before and it's kind of rediculous.  Is it because they're that immature/insecure with their own manhood/sexuality that they have to diss what they don't understand as a way to demonstrate their ignorance? 

I think since the piano is used in everything from elementary school nursery ryhme recitals to those corny commercials on tv where high trickling notes seem to be intended to induce a "frolicking" type of mood, some people attach a stigma to how the instrument sounds in this day and age. 

I think this is just a shallow way of thinking.  You may not like it because it doesn't sound macho like an electric guitar with loads of distortion, but it's foolish to equate manliness to the sound of an instrument.  It's like a false sense of machismo trying to be demonstrated.

How did this way of thinking get so distorted? 


Please discuss.

[lenny]

the piano, played correctly, can sound more 'macho' then anything

i was also extremely annoyed when on tv a month ago, they were discussing which instruments are more popular with girls and boys

they said that girls prefer SOFTER instruments like PIANO and violin

now this is indicative of the common conception people have of the piano nowadays - a soft instrument suited best for introverted music.

whilst it is ideal for introverted 'soft' music, it is capable of music of greater aggression and fury than virtually any heavy metal band.

do i listen to piano cds with the volume down?

NO!

i listen to them on maximum volume, with the bass right up! 

[Muzakian]

Jbmajor that is but one of hordes of misguided, fallacious beliefs many people hold about the world of classical music. I think you're right - sexual insecurity probably is responsible in some cases. But I think a lot of the time people are veiling themselves in their own ignorance, in order to feel their opinions about music are "right". I mean by focussing on every flaw they can find (real or imaginary), and by neglecting all the positives this music has to offer, perhaps they find a way to validate their own musical tastes. I guess I'm saying these people might see classical music as a threat to their opinions on music - they may worry that is "better" than the stuff they listen to. I'm sure there's many reasons.

Having said all of this I must point out that there are many fans of other genres of music that do not hold prejudiced attitudes to classical music. And if someone's taste in music is contingent on their sexual insecurities - well I just feel sorry for them.

[lenny]

of course, anything that is thought to be soft and girlish is bound to be called 'gay', but thats not the point.

the point is, that people have a misconception of piano music as being all soft and slow...which is wrong.

[galonia]

I would never have thought that the piano is "gay".  There was a pianist in my grade at school, and he was a weedy nerdy-looking boy with very bad skin, but my goodness could he play some cool licks!  So many of my female friends always asked me about rehearsal times and performances, and wanted me to play mediator and "set them up" with him, because we had the same teacher and often prepared for school music events together.

So male pianists, don't feel insecure - girls really like piano-playing guys.  And if other guys say playing piano is "gay", they're just jealous coz you're pulling all the chicks.   

[lostinidlewonder]

First time Iive ever heard of that. Usually it is who play it. And what does gay sound like? What a load of poo.

[Hmoll]

I've heard people comment on this before and it's kind of rediculous.  

Just tell them Fats Waller, Thelonious Monk, and Ray Charles are going to come back from the grave, and kick their *ss.

[Skeptopotamus]

I'll have to go with insane Jealousy!

[Skeptopotamus]

ooooh sorry i was just thinking


whoever says that

let them listen to

Messiaen Vignt Regards sur l'Enfant Jesus: En regards de la esprit de joye

it doesnt get much less gay than that.

[klavierkonzerte]

once i was preforming in college and one of the students told his friend who would think that this guy would play the piano.

at that time my head was shaved and i had the dirty face look so they thought it was too girly to me.

[willcowskitz]

I think its because particularly because of Mozart and Beethoven, piano is associated the most characteristic classical music instrument among general population. Classical music requires more sensitivity than most other forms of music, and aggressiveness and the striving to get boosted, rapid, strong emotions as fast as possible is the common mentality among youth who are still growing up and need [fast]food for their brains to "settle" their emotions until they're balanced enough to form a more solid identity. Ralf Gothoni said; "Techno music destroys people's sensitivity", and I really do agree with this although it doesn't apply to all "artificial" or electronic music. Nowadays people don't explore their inner worlds by listening to corresponding, complex and/or emotionally charged music, but rather handle their emotions in small impulses that will do the work for the day but don't allow them to ever get *into* themselves and their feelings any more than that when the rapid bombing of simple melodies gives them the "fix". Anyone who does, is "gay" because apparently this is not generally considered very "masculine."

[jbmajor]

Thanks for the great replies, thoughts, and opinions everyone.

[Brian Healey]

I've always found that the piano is a magnet for the ladies. In fact, my current girlfriend and I met while I was playing jazz at a club. If having women swoon over me is gay, then I don't want to know what straight is. I must be queer as a three-dollar bill. 


Well, maybe "swoon" is a bit of an exaggeration, but you get my point.



Peace,
Bri

[pies]

­

[donjuan]

gay?? how dare they?  ok, well, a piano that sounds like a piano sounds like crap to me. (but still, I cant say it sounds "gay")  I hate focussing on the sound of the piano and thinking of it as a piano.  However, I love the sound of a piano when it is made to sound like thunder, rain, a beautiful voice, or a whole orchestra sitting right in front of me.  The piano can be used to imitate any sound and will be heard and comprehended by anyone who wants to listen.   

but "gay"?? come on, those people who say that probably say a similar line to anything they are ignorant about. grr they make me so mad!! Highland Laddie, the Celts had a fightin season.  As the season got nearer, the men sharpened their spears.

mmm...spear sharpenin time!!

donjuan

[Da Bachtopus]

You have to remember that 50% of people have below-average intelligence.

[wintervind]

the piano, played correctly, can sound more 'macho' then anything

i

Are you saying that you have to play MACHO to play correctly?

[Ant1]

i agree with wintervee. who cares wat the people who call it gay is, i think its because of the posture you hold. if you're ashambed to be playing the piano you will look timid and gay, but if you are bold and mildly arrogant people seem to be impressed by the MUSIC you are playing

[Ed Marlo]

Everything is gay these days.  If anyone is jealous, dislikes something, jealous, or jealous, they turn to calling 'it' and whoever is doing whatever gay.  Weird sentence.  Erm.  Anyway, most piano music is sensitive.  In an attempt to be funny and make up for their own smallness, and to also prove their own ignorance, many kiddos deem this 'sensitivity' gay.  It isn't anything to worry about, just something to laugh at. 

''Eww, you kissed a girl! That's so gay!''

[wintervind]

I'm not quite sure why I am contibuting to this thread because ultimately, I think its trivial.

I find it ridiculous that someone could accually insult someone by calling something or someone "feminine" or "sensitive" or even "gay". Sorry, but the logic is completely lost to me.

These to me are qualties that I admire in people, and on the other hand I would use "macho" "egoistic" and "masculine" to describe someone who is arrogant.

  In conclusion, I believe we all have these trates (some more than others) and one shouldn't be afraid of their feminine side. Even you guys out there....

[jim_24601]

Well, my piano is always commenting on the state of my wallpaper and passing catty remarks about other pianos. And I'm sure it's got a limp left pedal.

I can't really think of a good answer to the question in the topic except "because they're bloody idiots." It's back to the playground, isn't it? "You're gay." "No, you are." It doesn't have anything to do with actual homosexuality, it's just a random insult. "You put great effort into acquiring skills I don't possess, therefore I shall belittle them and you so as not to feel inadequate."

Wintervind, so "feminine" is a positive characteristic, but "masculine" is a negative one? Isn't that just a teeny bit sexist? And what's this feminine side I'm supposed to have? Check right side, Y chromosomes all the way down. Left side ditto. In fact, ironically enough, the only cells in my body without Y chromosomes in are sperm cells Frankly I think this "masculine side" "feminine side" stuff is a load of, well, ovaries.

[fred smalls]

Those who think that it sounds 'gay' should be disregarded. And/or shot.

aha! very true! 

[aajjmb]

Those who think that it sounds 'gay' should be disregarded. And/or shot.

no.... AND shot:P
i actually think its mainly ignorance that people say that

[wintervind]

Frankly I think this "masculine side" "feminine side" stuff is a load of, well, ovaries.

Then I  would suggest you get yourself a pair

[willcowskitz]

People want to start shooting each other before even understanding what was the reason for the conflict.

Typical.

Maybe we should all be shot. Immediately.

[PianoMan7753]

When I was in high school I was automatically labeled as "gay" because I was the only teenager who despised rock music and preferred classical. There was a story in the local newspaper about the studio that I attended and four students were photographed, I was included. Well a group of kids decided to cut out my picture, write the word "gay" on it, make photo copies and post it all over the school. They were blown off by, "Boys will be boys" was the administration's response. That's okay though, whenever I'm messing around at the university all the ladies end up popping in to check me out, the ladies love Moonlight! And they say that the piano is gay?

It's true, less than 50% percent of the population has below-average intelligence. Although I'm rethinking that number the way "people" act today...

[chromatickler]

It's true, less than 50% percent of the population has below-average intelligence. Although I'm rethinking that number the way "people" act today...

i ummmmm c

[donjuan]

You have to remember that 50% of people have below-average intelligence.

I'm currently trying to comprehend this statement.  50% is a pretty big chunk of the population - ummmm wouldnt they make up most of the average, so therefore, cannot be below average??  In order for 50% of the population to be below average, the other 50% must be really, QUITE smart to make your statement true. [sarcasm]yeah, right like that's gonna happen[/sarcasm] Im confused..  Check your math, Chris.  haha - the ironic part of the statement is the fact that YOU said it! 
hahahaha j/k man, dont take it seriously

donjuan

[jim_24601]

Then I  would suggest you get yourself a pair

I have a pair. I keep them in a jar on my bookshelf.

I'm currently trying to comprehend this statement. 50% is a pretty big chunk of the population - ummmm wouldnt they make up most of the average, so therefore, cannot be below average??

Depends which average you pick. It's more or less true if you're talking about the median, which is the obvious one to pick when talking about intelligence since it's usually measured using percentiles. It's not generally true for mean and mode, but IQ will approach a normal distribution for large enough sample sizes anyway so the 3 measures will tend to be the same.

[Radix]

Ignore the gaysayers.  Musical talent = chick magnet.

[pianostudent99]

Man, just ignore the comment that piano is gay.  Saying something is gay is just a form of speech.  It's not something to be taken seriously.

[willcowskitz]

Saying something is gay is just a form of speech.  It's not something to be taken seriously.

This is most often the case, but as we discussed above, there's more to the mysterious piano-gay connection than just insult consisting of random words. 

[pianostudent99]

Well, if certain people don't like the piano, screw them.  They're missing out. 

[willcowskitz]

Yeah, that's the safest way to go. But if I could make a difference, I'd rather have such an influence on those people that would allow them to see into the possibilities of this unique instrument, to respect it and to get interested in it. Then we'd all have more people to share this fascination and passion with. Of course, first we'd have to understand what causes their blindness, which is impossible if we shoot the subjects before asking the questions! I know, I'm such an utopist.

[MattL]

You have to remember that 50% of people have below-average intelligence.

That's probably the main reason why people thin the piano is "gay" they just aren't smart enough to understand anything about the music, they can't understand the genius of the composer behind the music , or the performer either

[pianostudent99]

What's interesting to note is that the RIAA publishes statistics on CD sales.  In 2003, only 3.0% of cd sales were classical music.  Rap, hip hop, and rock were the most successful I remember.  I don't know the exact numbers, but you can find the statistics at the RIAA website.

[musik_man]

Exactly 50% of the population has below-median intelligence

What's interesting to note is that the RIAA publishes statistics on CD sales. In 2003, only 3.0% of cd sales were classical music. Rap, hip hop, and rock were the most successful I remember. I don't know the exact numbers, but you can find the statistics at the RIAA website.

You also have to factor in that the classical catalogue is mostly static.  Every month new rock, pop and hip-hop cd's come out.  While new classical cd's come out also, they're just new performances of old pieces.  Once you have most of the classical repertoire purchased, your cd collection won't grow nearly as quickly, as it would if new material was constantly being released.

I think the best way to counter the myth that piano is gay, is to have at least one "manly" piece in your repertoire.  For me that would be the Military Polonaise at the moment, although I'd eventually like to replace it with Prokofiev's Diabolic Suggestion.