Race/gender/sex. orientation and musical stereotyping

abdullah424 · 10-24-2009, 01:59 AM

a little bit

reiko57 · 10-25-2009, 01:17 PM

i've found that people seem to be into whatever pleases their ear, whatever race they may be, its just dependant on how many songs from a genre pleases a persons ear, how many does it take to be "into" a style of music

i think i've gone and confused myself

kouki · 10-25-2009, 01:26 PM

Well Im metsican american and listen to almost everything,I guess my stereotype would be that I listen to northern mexican music that goes:Umpa umpa umpa. I listen to a lota shi* from trance/pop to rock/some metal.Also I listen to spanish rock/pop,Ill even listen to the umpa umpa music whenever someone is playing that.It doesnt annoy me as much as it use to.

A stereotype I make of europe is that they dont like us colored folk,it might be true to an extent.I feel like if I took a trip out there I would get killed or somethin,especially Germany.

CanwllCorfe · 10-25-2009, 06:45 PM

I live in a tiny town and we actually have a little bit of everything! Indie kids, scene kids, gangster kids, and metalheads.. but the people who have lived here the whole time are almost all hicks. They just listen to southern rock and country. Surprisingly the few people who don't are usually metalheads. There's about 5 local heavy metal bands compared to one indie artist and.. that's it. I've lived here my whole life and listen to electronica, black metal, and alternative. One time we had a guest speaker from a local college who said "see since I'm black most people think I like hip hop or rap but in fact I listen to a lot of trance like Paul van Dyk". Needless to say I damn near shat myself. Ever since then I've tried to be less judgemental but for the most part it's usually true.

bjornfjordnord · 10-26-2009, 09:40 AM

Most people tend to think I'm a metal head 'cause I have long hair and a beard. While I do love metal, my favorite genre is folk rock of the indie persuasion. Also, when I was in college, my favorite band was Phish and most people i met could not grasp the fact that I didn't smoke pot or drop acid on a regular basis. For me it's about the music, not the lifestyle.

FETCHER. · 10-26-2009, 10:37 AM

When I think of what I used to look like, and what my style was I was probably considered emo, as I eh.. couldn't put down the eyeliner at one point (long time ago.) Now based on my style I'm most likely considered Indie-ish. I dunno really. When I tell people what music I like, I get called a Ned often. Which I am most definetly not.

definition of ned for those who don't know:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Dictionary

The epitome of obnoxious youth, to be found hanging around in parks, on street corners and outside the local 'offie' or dealer's house waiting to buy cheap cider, buckie or resin.

Pastimes include beating up strangers, meeting their parole officer and drinking afore-mentioned cider or buckie.

davidMC1982 · 10-26-2009, 12:03 PM

I think pretty much everybody can be put into one of five categories;

1) Those who listen to whatever is on the radio.

2) Those who are limited to a specific genre.

3) Those who have developed their tastes and are limited to a subset of genres and bands.

4) Those that have a diverse taste in music but have only scratched the surface of most genres.

5) Those that are musically experienced in almost every way.

If I had to apply stereotypes to the above categories, I would say:

1) Predominantly women.

2) Predominantly teenagers through to mid-twenties.

3) 40+ Dads.

4) More difficult to explain (see below).

5) Predominantly men (see below).

Category 4 will tend to be filled with people of a higher than average intellect (not necessarily academically). They will generally be more inclined to learning and accumulating knowledge about any subject that interests them. You'll probably find they have many other subjects about which they have a good deal of knowledge and experience.

Category 5 will tend to be filled by men because, time and time again, research has shown that men are more prone to hobbies of the obsessive variety. The step from category 4 to 5 is simply one of the time devoted to the subject.

Dave

storymilo · 10-26-2009, 01:51 PM

^ I liked that analysis. It seemed mainly accurate... except that I'm a teenager and I would at least put myself in category 4.

NSW · 10-26-2009, 02:05 PM

Decent list there Dave. I feel like I'd fit into category 4, but I'm not so sure about that "higher than average intellect" thing. Mostly I feel like I'm just too scatterbrained to focus on one genre long enough before the next new and interesting thing comes along that I just HAVE to check out. Therefore I know just enough about each genre to get myself in trouble.

As far as stereotypes go, well, being white and living in the southern US of course means that we must love country music. I don't feel like this stereotype is enforced too much in larger cities though, where things are more urban and more of a melting pot of people and tastes.

This did remind me of a time at work though, when Gladys Knight's "Midnight Train to Georgia" came on the radio and I started singing it before Gladys got around to it. The black data entry guy was lookin' at me all crazy, and at first I thought it was because of my awesome (translate: absolutely terrible) singing, but as it turns out he just couldn't fathom a white girl knowing the words to a Gladys Knight song. It really surprised me to be honest. In this day and age when there are so many outlets to explore all types of music, I wouldn't be surprised by anyone's taste in music and in alot of ways I think it's strange that people still hold on to these musical stereotypes.

VEGANGELICA · 10-26-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidMC1982

I think pretty much everybody can be put into one of five categories;

1) Those who listen to whatever is on the radio.

2) Those who are limited to a specific genre.

3) Those who have developed their tastes and are limited to a subset of genres and bands.

4) Those that have a diverse taste in music but have only scratched the surface of most genres.

5) Those that are musically experienced in almost every way.

If I had to apply stereotypes to the above categories, I would say:

1) Predominantly women.

2) Predominantly teenagers through to mid-twenties.

3) 40+ Dads.

4) More difficult to explain (see below).

5) Predominantly men (see below).

Dave

Dave, I also liked this explanation you gave, and definitely agree with the truth of Category 3 (based on my observations), although often it seems to me that teens may be fixated on a certain genre since they are young and just haven't had as much time to explore others. Plus, they are in a "learn myself/express myself/find myself" through music stage, I think.

I'd probably classify myself as a member of Category 4 since I don't listen to the radio, except when captive at work, and I don't really listen to any one genre. Plus, I think your explanation of Category 4 fits me perfectly, heh heh!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonsubmissivewife

This did remind me of a time at work though, when Gladys Knight's "Midnight Train to Georgia" came on the radio and I started singing it before Gladys got around to it. The black data entry guy was lookin' at me all crazy, and at first I thought it was because of my awesome (translate: absolutely terrible) singing, but as it turns out he just couldn't fathom a white girl knowing the words to a Gladys Knight song. It really surprised me to be honest. In this day and age when there are so many outlets to explore all types of music, I wouldn't be surprised by anyone's taste in music and in alot of ways I think it's strange that people still hold on to these musical stereotypes.

Cute story, nonsubmissivewife, and a valid observation!

10-25-2009, 01:17 PM	#42 (permalink)
reiko57 Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: kansas city Posts: 52	i've found that people seem to be into whatever pleases their ear, whatever race they may be, its just dependant on how many songs from a genre pleases a persons ear, how many does it take to be "into" a style of music i think i've gone and confused myself __________________ last.fm

10-25-2009, 01:26 PM	#43 (permalink)
kouki Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Devils armpit (aka Phx,AZ) Posts: 126	Well Im metsican american and listen to almost everything,I guess my stereotype would be that I listen to northern mexican music that goes:Umpa umpa umpa. I listen to a lota shi* from trance/pop to rock/some metal.Also I listen to spanish rock/pop,Ill even listen to the umpa umpa music whenever someone is playing that.It doesnt annoy me as much as it use to. A stereotype I make of europe is that they dont like us colored folk,it might be true to an extent.I feel like if I took a trip out there I would get killed or somethin,especially Germany. __________________ It jiggles when he wiggles-Fez Last edited by kouki; 10-25-2009 at 01:35 PM.

10-25-2009, 06:45 PM	#44 (permalink)
CanwllCorfe Quiet Man in the Corner Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pocono Mountains Posts: 2,480	I live in a tiny town and we actually have a little bit of everything! Indie kids, scene kids, gangster kids, and metalheads.. but the people who have lived here the whole time are almost all hicks. They just listen to southern rock and country. Surprisingly the few people who don't are usually metalheads. There's about 5 local heavy metal bands compared to one indie artist and.. that's it. I've lived here my whole life and listen to electronica, black metal, and alternative. One time we had a guest speaker from a local college who said "see since I'm black most people think I like hip hop or rap but in fact I listen to a lot of trance like Paul van Dyk". Needless to say I damn near shat myself. Ever since then I've tried to be less judgemental but for the most part it's usually true. __________________ Your eyes were never yet let in to see the majesty and riches of the mind, but dwell in darkness; for your God is blind.

10-26-2009, 02:05 PM	#49 (permalink)
NSW Bigger and Better Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas girl living in the UK Posts: 2,596	Decent list there Dave. I feel like I'd fit into category 4, but I'm not so sure about that "higher than average intellect" thing. Mostly I feel like I'm just too scatterbrained to focus on one genre long enough before the next new and interesting thing comes along that I just HAVE to check out. Therefore I know just enough about each genre to get myself in trouble. As far as stereotypes go, well, being white and living in the southern US of course means that we must love country music. I don't feel like this stereotype is enforced too much in larger cities though, where things are more urban and more of a melting pot of people and tastes. This did remind me of a time at work though, when Gladys Knight's "Midnight Train to Georgia" came on the radio and I started singing it before Gladys got around to it. The black data entry guy was lookin' at me all crazy, and at first I thought it was because of my awesome (translate: absolutely terrible) singing, but as it turns out he just couldn't fathom a white girl knowing the words to a Gladys Knight song. It really surprised me to be honest. In this day and age when there are so many outlets to explore all types of music, I wouldn't be surprised by anyone's taste in music and in alot of ways I think it's strange that people still hold on to these musical stereotypes. __________________ Hi. Last edited by NSW; 10-26-2009 at 02:23 PM.

10-24-2009, 01:59 AM	#41 (permalink)
abdullah424 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 351	a little bit

10-26-2009, 09:40 AM	#45 (permalink)
bjornfjordnord Groupie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 14	Most people tend to think I'm a metal head 'cause I have long hair and a beard. While I do love metal, my favorite genre is folk rock of the indie persuasion. Also, when I was in college, my favorite band was Phish and most people i met could not grasp the fact that I didn't smoke pot or drop acid on a regular basis. For me it's about the music, not the lifestyle.

10-26-2009, 12:03 PM	#47 (permalink)
davidMC1982 Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sussex, UK Posts: 90	I think pretty much everybody can be put into one of five categories; 1) Those who listen to whatever is on the radio. 2) Those who are limited to a specific genre. 3) Those who have developed their tastes and are limited to a subset of genres and bands. 4) Those that have a diverse taste in music but have only scratched the surface of most genres. 5) Those that are musically experienced in almost every way. If I had to apply stereotypes to the above categories, I would say: 1) Predominantly women. 2) Predominantly teenagers through to mid-twenties. 3) 40+ Dads. 4) More difficult to explain (see below). 5) Predominantly men (see below). Category 4 will tend to be filled with people of a higher than average intellect (not necessarily academically). They will generally be more inclined to learning and accumulating knowledge about any subject that interests them. You'll probably find they have many other subjects about which they have a good deal of knowledge and experience. Category 5 will tend to be filled by men because, time and time again, research has shown that men are more prone to hobbies of the obsessive variety. The step from category 4 to 5 is simply one of the time devoted to the subject. Dave

10-26-2009, 01:51 PM	#48 (permalink)
storymilo Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,845	^ I liked that analysis. It seemed mainly accurate... except that I'm a teenager and I would at least put myself in category 4.