Role Gender has in Choosing Particular Instrument Focus

Annotated Bibliography music
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Annotated Bibliography
What role does gender have in choosing particular instrument focus?
Abeles, H. (2009). Are musical instrument gender associations changing?. Journal of Research in Music Education, 57(2), 127-139.
The researcher sought to determine whether gender associations of choice in musical instruments persist. The article highlights that since the 1990s, there were reduced instrument gender associations reported. When considering the middle school children, there was little difference in instrument choices between boys and girls. However, girls tended to play the violins, flutes, and clarinets, and boys mainly played the trumpets, drums, and trombones. Generally, girls defied gender stereotypes when playing in band settings.
Eros, J. (2008). Instrument Selection and Gender Stereotypes A Review of Recent Literature. Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, 27(1), 57–64.
The article reviews past research on whether instrument selection and stereotyping are linked with gender can be one of those factors affecting instruments selection. Stereotypes and gender associations with musical instruments influence participation in musical activities and instrument choice. Gender bias is closely linked with instrument selection bias and the article is relevant to improve music education and promoting music participation.
Hallam, S., Varvarigou, M., Creech, A., Papageorgi, I., Gomes, T., Lanipekun, J., & Rinta, T. (2017). Are there gender differences in instrumental music practice?. Psychology of Music, 45(1), 116-130. DOI: 10.1177/0305735616650994
The influence of gender in instrumental music practice among boys and girls aged 6-19. Hallam et al (2017) pointed out that there are gender differences in music learning and practice with the girls’ learning practice being more and focused on immediate correction, while boys prioritized high concentration. The ability to the analytic strategies was one of the factors that influenced the level of music expertise. Understanding what influences the instrument learning process is helpful to improve music education.
Stronsick, L. M., Tuft, S. E., Incera, S., & McLennan, C. T. (2018). Masculine harps and feminine horns: Timbre and pitch level influence gender ratings of musical instruments. Psychology of Music, 46(6), 896-912. Doi: 10.1177/0305735617734629
In the research, there were gender ratings of nine musical instruments as masculine, neutral, and feminine based on whether there are low, medium, and high pitch levels respectively. The researchers found out that the pitch level influenced gender ratings, with low-pitched instruments associated with the masculine connection, and the high-pitched is rated in the feminine direction. The research findings further imply that the timbre and pitch level ratings of the musical instruments depend on the gender. While the article does not focus on the link between gender and instrument choice the researchers evaluated how musical instruments were associated with feminine or masculine connections.
Wrape, E. R., Dittloff, A. L., & Callahan, J. L. (2016). Gender and musical instrument stereotypes in middle school children: Have trends changed?. Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, 34(3), 40-47. Doi: 10.1177/8755123314564255
The researchers evaluated whether gender stereotypes on musical instrument choices are persistent or they have changed over time. The study participants were middle-school band students and data were collected for student instrument by gender. Wrape, Dittloff & Callahan (2016) found out that there were unanimous gender assignments in bands as gender influenced instrument association, with gender stereotypes still being entrenched. The research is relevant as it highlights the need to improve music education to ensure students learn as much as possible and not merely being assigned instruments because of their gender.
Crowe, L. B. (2010). Relationships Between Gender and Musical Instrument Selection in Middle School Band Students (Doctoral dissertation, University of Florida
In the thesis, Crowe (2010) investigated where there was an association between Gender stereotyping and musical instrument selection among middle school band stud...