Why Do People Think Flutes Are For Girls?

(This was actually a thought from a while ago... I put it on Facebook, and then put it on here.)

So the other day (Thursday) I was sitting in chemistry doing my science equipment lab, when I hear a conversation going on about band.

Now usually I'm not one to eavesdrop, but when it comes to band I'm all over it. Not necissarily making comments verbally, but definitely to myself.

So it was a flute player and a non-band kid talking about a friend of mine who playes trombone. This particular friend is a girl and she also plays bass trombone. The non-band kid was making comments about her to the flute player. Things like, "Oh, I thought only guys played trombone." and the sort of stuff a lot of non-band kids don't realize.

So there I was thinking to myself about the many assumptions people have about us bandies. A lot of people think that guys can't play flute or clarinet without being considered gay, or girls can't play tuba, baritone/euph, trombone/bass t-bone, or be on drum line/percussion because they're manly instruments. I for one don't think it's right to tell a kid they can't play an instrument just because of the way society will view them. The same goes for color guard. Just because you're a guy on color guard doesn't automatically mean you're gay, it just means you like to dance and you enjoy what you do.

Now why people come to these conclusions is beyond me. One of the best flute players I know is a male by the name of Dr. Gary Garner. It really shouldn't matter what your gender is in order for you to play and instrument. It's just like saying, "Only girls can play volleyball and only guys can play golf." You sports kids wouldn't like it if that happend to you, now would you? No, you wouldn't. And I didn't think you would. So before you start poking fun or something about what instrument someone plays just please have an open mind. Some people are only able to play one certain instrument due to how their body is made or maybe a certain reason they play what they do. Whatever the reason there is no 'girl' or 'guy' instruments and it bothers me when people say there are. So if you're one of them now you know and hopefully you won't do it again.