Why DO women like prog?

JJLehto wrote: The question should be, why don't more women like it? Better yet, why don't more people in general? I'm sick of having to explain my music and get looks like I'm an alien

I love being an alien!

To reply to the original question, well, I like prog because,most of the bands I like happen to be prog. It's that simple.

abnormalist wrote: darkshade wrote: abnormalist wrote: As a girl myself, here's my theory: Women tend to feel more the need to be able to share their musical tastes with others(basically liking the music and at the same time connecting with other people through it). That might explain why, in general, you see more "fangirls" of a particular artist than "fanboys"(there are often almost as many, but men are less prone to admit being fanboys of something, at least from what I've seen). Basically, since the genres that gain more exposure are miles away from prog, it's tougher for girls to find that social aspect in progressive music. Also(again from what I've seen), and as stated by others, men tend to focus more on one particular aspect of whatever they listen to, while women focus more on different aspects. Therefore, the latter might pay more attention not just to the music, but also to other aspects of the band/artist, like their image, their history, their fanbase, what the media says about them... Since most prog bands put the emphasis more on the music and not on the other aspects, it is maybe less appealing to some women who would have otherwise liked it. Of course I'm making generalizations here, but that is all my opinion, and I could be completely wrong. Also, it's kind of cool being in the minority (I know it's a bit stupid, but that's how I roll). Then tell me why, whenever I go to a jam band concert, or a jazz concert; which are both very far away from the mainstream, are there usually tons of girls there? Maybe it's because jazz has been around far longer than prog and has more of a tradition of listeners (it has had the time to become more widespread without necessarily turning mainstream)... I don't really know, to be honest.

Prog has been around long enough for it to reach the female audience.

Jazz has had times of mainstream success. They haven't happened for a very long time, though, and the average person, man or woman, know little to nothing about the genre (other than, "oh they just play random notes")

And by girls I see at these shows, I don't mean older ones who probably got into jazz back when it was still popular (the 70s), but I mean girls between 20-35. I'm merely arguing against what you said about girls needing music to be more of "sharing" experience; which I agree with, with women who like more popular forms of music.

The Miracle wrote:   darkshade wrote: Then tell me why, whenever I go to a jam band concert, or a jazz concert; which are both very far away from the mainstream, are there usually tons of girls there? Whenever I go to any concert, there's a bunch of girls there. Doesn't necessarily mean they're there because they care about the music - it's a social event so they're there to socialize and hang out with their boyfriends, for the most part (especially at jazz and jamband concerts which are not mainstream but have distinct "scenes" around them). Fits into Abnormalist's theory quite well.

Yes you're right, but, particularly at jam band concerts; there are usually GROUPS of girls, with no male companion in sight, so that theory fails.

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On Topic: Ive said similar things in previous threads on this topic, but I feel (generally speaking) that men look at certain music as "important" whereas women look at certain music as just "fun/entertainment". There's no reason for the 2 to be interchangeable, but I think you guys know what I mean.


Edited by darkshade - November 21 2011 at 19:27

abnormalist wrote: Sometimes I feel so aloooone...

James Labrie understands...

darkshade wrote: Yes you're right, but, particularly at jam band concerts; there are usually GROUPS of girls, with no male companion in sight, so that theory fails.

The jamband scene is a very very social, hippy-ish one. So I think the theory applies, as a general rule. As you said, they are in groups. So they're hanging out with girlfriends then, at the concert instead of the mall. Big difference.
But of course, there are always exceptions. As I've said, there's gotta be more to it.


Edited by The Miracle - November 21 2011 at 21:27

You guys know there are genres of music that have dedicated/serious fans other than prog, jazz, and classical, right?

Redug wrote: You guys know there are genres of music that have dedicated/serious fans other than prog, jazz, and classical, right?

Edited by rogerthat - November 21 2011 at 22:04

It's a good way to seduce men...

Because some people like prog???

I was able to get my ex- to like Harmonium and Yes, but that's it. She was first-chair violin in college orchestra, so I suppose she was more interested in good music than other women. 

I've known a lot of women to be into experimental music, like
the avant-garde stuff that has little traditional musical resemblances.
Seems like there are perhaps a greater percentage of women
into that than prog.