Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?

Subject: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: The Shambles
Date: 11 May 00 - 07:04 PM

I think this is true? Any ideas why it should be so?

We have 'a guitar hero'. Any banjo ones?

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: JenEllen
Date: 11 May 00 - 07:08 PM

Oh goodness...I know a half-dozen banjo player's wives that might tell you different! Some of them bluegrass fellas really know their stuff. Besides, I always figured it wasn't the instrument so much as what you did with it! :)
~Elle

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 May 00 - 07:10 PM

John Hartford with banjo in hand, not sexy? Shambles, you think this is true, wrong.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Ely
Date: 11 May 00 - 07:22 PM

I don't know. Maybe it's because the banjo is stereotyped as an old-time/bluegrass instrument while the guitar is common in so many other genres. Not that there is anything ridiculous about old-time and bluegrass.

Personally, I know several guys whose natural sexiness is enhanced by the fact that they play the banjo.

Wow, I never thought I'd use "sexiness" a music message.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Mbo
Date: 11 May 00 - 07:33 PM

MAN! I heard guitars were sexy, fiddlers were sexy, pipers were sexy...so I play all three...now the banjo too? Man, it's getting harder and harder to keep up with the current trends! Did anyone know that J.R.R. Tolkien secretly wished to be a banjo player? It's true...

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 May 00 - 07:44 PM

Banjos have a comical look to them, that happy round face. Some people seem to think being funny isn't sexy. Last laugh's on them...

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 May 00 - 07:48 PM

What about women banjo players - are they not sexy too? Besides if it came down to the guys playing banjo I know a few that are simply "darling" and don't hurt my eyes looking at them (the players aren't bad to look at either). I personally think that banjo and banjo players are much more sexy than guitar players. I have learned to play both but my preference is a banjo everytime. Please don't forget the women as I am one!!!!

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Midchuck
Date: 11 May 00 - 08:11 PM

Banjos, like fiddles, are capable of producing beautiful music, but tend to be annoying because a good proportion of the people who play them think faster is better, and think that being able to dominate a jam by drowning out anyone else makes them the best musician.

Like a gun or a fast car, a banjo is not dangerous in itself, but in the hands of a selfish or stupid person, gives that person the power to do more harm than he otherwise could.

I like banjo music, made by someone who can play the damn thing. But I don't dare say so out loud, it encourages the ones who can't and think they can.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 May 00 - 08:14 PM

I understand Fielding plays both. Gives him a split personality. One side sexy, one not. Guess which side his wife gets stuck with...
Sounds like Mbo's got a quadraphonic personality.
Serious problems here, folks.
-Joe Offer, pop psychotherapist-

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 11 May 00 - 08:16 PM

It's got to have something to do with the lack of sustain of banjo tones. A banjo is preeminently a rhythm instrument, and you don't get those luscious chords that a guitar is capable of. I find it almost impossible to play a sad or a romantic tune on my banjo.

That is not to say that beautiful or sad or romantic just CAN'T be done. Listen to some of Tony Ellis's compositions as he plays them. Gorgeous. But certainly not banjistic.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Spider Tom
Date: 11 May 00 - 08:23 PM

It's not WHAT they are!
It's the way you play 'em.

I will now duck for cover I will be under a rock, but which one?
Happy plucking!

Spider Tom.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 11 May 00 - 08:25 PM

Hey Tom dont "pluck off" mate we will miss you!

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: MK
Date: 11 May 00 - 08:49 PM

Okay I'll bite.

Duhhhhhhhhh..............the shape?

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Mooh
Date: 11 May 00 - 09:27 PM

MichaelK, that's what I thought too. Are we the only ones who see the curves vs lack of same? My good woman never likes to see me passed out with a guitar, wrong image I guess.

I used to think I was allergic to wood 'cause every time I passed out with a guitar in my hands I woke up with a headache.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: sophocleese
Date: 11 May 00 - 09:39 PM

Guitars are more organically shaped and made of a mellow warm coloured wood, banjos are a simple circle with too many bits of off putting metal on them. I loved the sound though of a fretless banjo made from a guord though, much, much nicer. Whatever the instrument its the skill and feeling in the playing that makes it sexy for me.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: GUEST,Professor Iris
Date: 11 May 00 - 09:54 PM

Okay Shambles.

Given that you felt compelled to post this particular thread, here's a quick refresher course for you on Basic Instinct 101.

Which of the following is sexy?

This one?

or,

This One?

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: TheMuse
Date: 11 May 00 - 09:57 PM

I hate to burst anyones bubble, but guitars or banjos are NOT sexy. It's the person playing! I can see a million different players and all I do is listen, but I see one particular person pick up a guitar (or banjo) and start to play and . . . . WOW. . . I really want to make beautiful music (but not with the instrument!)

TheMuse

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: sophocleese
Date: 11 May 00 - 09:58 PM

I find nothing sexy about a message telling me that I am not authorized to view this directory or page. What are the pictures of? Please, I'm panting here, I've just been thinking of Harvey Keitel not playing banjo.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 11 May 00 - 10:09 PM

Michael, Mooh, & Sophocleese ~ you are all on the right track. Actually, it has to do with the .7 syndrome that seems to effect men ~ world wide. When the female waist is .7 the size of the hip and/or breast measurement men find them most attractive.

Just out of curiosity ~ I wonder if guitars that have the .7 ratio sell better than others.

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 May 00 - 10:28 PM

Now I'll never sleep tonight. Visions of "The Piano" remade into "The Banjo" and Harvey Keitel playing it nude. Sure looks sexy to me.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 May 00 - 10:42 PM

Well gee folks.....girls can be sexy playin' too ya' know? I mean, take any example..........say for guitar, oh, let's say Emmylou Harris and for banjo, say, maybe Ronnie Stoneman..............uh, yeah.........hmmmm............Ok let's think of someone else..............

Spaw

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: sophocleese
Date: 11 May 00 - 10:49 PM

SINSULL thanks for that image I will now head for the cold shower. But would he be sexier if he were playing the guitar? Actually since he never plays the piano in the movie but merely dusts it would wiping down a guitar or a banjo be sexier? I go for the guitar, I can imagine his fingers following my curves like those on the guitar better than I can on the banjo. It is the shape of the guitar that makes it sexy...heading for the shower now.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Mbo
Date: 11 May 00 - 10:49 PM

HEY what about Little Neo? Hmmmm?

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 May 00 - 11:00 PM

Yeah I know Meebo, but the joke don't work with Bonnie now do it? Always go for the laugh.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: GUEST,Professor Iris
Date: 11 May 00 - 11:13 PM

(one mo tyme)


Okay Shambles.
Given that you felt compelled to post this particular thread, here's a quick refresher course for you on Basic Instinct 101.

Which of the following is sexy?
This one?

or,

This One?

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Metchosin
Date: 11 May 00 - 11:15 PM

Shambles define your terms here. Are we speaking of guitars as objects, the sound produced by a guitar and subsequent music composed for guitar or guitar players as opposed to banjos, banjo music and banjo players.

I would have to agree with sophocleese, above, if we are just talking guitars and banjos as objects, however there might be an element of sexiness, for some, reguarding the banjos taut stretched skin.

Traditional banjo music is not sexy, to me personally, on the whole, but there are a few traditional banjo songs that are exceptions and Dueling Banjos comes to mind. "Swamp Thing" by the Grid, is a very sexy, compelling piece of music, along the lines of Ravel"s Bolero, as an example of non-traditional sexy banjo music. But, as sexual turn on is a very uniquely personal thing sometimes and can be subject to gender differences, my choices are probably uniquely mine.

Regarding the banjo's percussiveness, I find this aspect of it's music can be quite sexy and the effect is often mimiced by flamenco guitatists, who recognize that quality of it's percussive sound. But like all things, if it is repeated over and over again, without let up or some dramatic tension, it can become boring.

As far as sexy players, I find most musicians, on any instrument, who become so into "it" that they start to drool, are very sexy, especially when playing what I perceive to be a "sexy tune", but that could just be a quirky thing on my part. *BG*

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Metchosin
Date: 11 May 00 - 11:19 PM

anyone else like "Drooling Banjos"?

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: GUEST,Professor Iris
Date: 11 May 00 - 11:21 PM

Well I will be demoted from position for this.

When you click on the above links and get the 404 URL, click on the refresher or reload. It should come up.

If not, don't worry about. Wasn't important.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Metchosin
Date: 11 May 00 - 11:27 PM

Iris, I just thought they were some more forbidden pleasures.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: GUEST,Adam Shaylor
Date: 11 May 00 - 11:52 PM

I would have to agree that the question supplied for this forum assumes that banjo's aren't sexy when, in fact, they are.

Of course, I happen to play the banjo AND be a sexy guy. Someone mentioned a female banjo players - if I met any my age, I sure's hell would be turned on.

I also play the fiddle, and I've gotten a fair amount of attention for that. Now that I think about it, just about any kind of instrument can be sexy if you know how to play it and the subject of your romantic interest likes that genre of music.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Gary T
Date: 12 May 00 - 12:42 AM

Guitars can produce mellow, smooth, seductive sounds; hot-blooded, earthy, humpin' sounds; sweet, innocent, lilting sounds; etc.

Banjos can produce energetic, jangling, intrusive sounds.

Yes, that's stereotyping; yes, there are exceptions; yes, not everyone sees it that way. But among those who do find a guitar sexy and a banjo not sexy (who I believe form a sizable proportion, likely a majority, of people), I'll bet that's their perception.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Metchosin
Date: 12 May 00 - 01:10 AM

Gary T, I would agree with that perception, except for the words "jangling and intrusive".

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: GUEST,Raul B. Jones
Date: 12 May 00 - 02:04 AM

it's relative. playing the spoons is sexy in some circles. try not to worry about being sexy. just play

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 12 May 00 - 02:14 AM

Sinsull, I sympathize. After you conjured the image of a naked Harvey Keitel playing a banjo, I don't think I'll be able to sleep either. Good God. What's next, a naked Neil Young with a clarinet? Break out the Nitol.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Racer
Date: 12 May 00 - 02:56 AM

A guitar has a nice warm pleasing sound that fills the room.

A banjo goes "dink!"

-Racer

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: GUEST,Slider
Date: 12 May 00 - 04:18 AM

Why is a guitar sexy? Well ,just look at it! That long slender neck...All of those well rounded curves...(I like 'em like that)...all of those potential positions...maybe that tailpiece(depending on the guitar.Yeah ,I guess even a Dobro might be sexy, depending on the lighting and the level of intoxication...), maybe that arched top or that flat top depending on one's taste, but none of them are worth the effort without a sound hole....I hope my musings don't banish me from this company of scholars!

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 May 00 - 05:16 AM

"Banjo and banjo players are much more sexy than guitar players. I have learned to play both." Intriguing.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Marion
Date: 12 May 00 - 10:11 AM

Wasn't it Freud who said, "Sometimes a guitar is just a guitar"?

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Kim C
Date: 12 May 00 - 10:11 AM

I'm with TheMuse on this one --- it depends on who's playing! Bela Fleck, for instance.

But sexy is an attitude more than anything else.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 May 00 - 10:50 AM

Sophocleese and Lonesome, I've moved on to Orson Welles with a flute. (sigh) Those eyes; that voice.

Does anyone remember the name of that ridiculous spy movie starring Rudolph Nureyev in which he "plays" Natasha Kinski? Hilarious.

After reading the above, I am now worried that the reason I find banjo players sexy is that my body resembles a banjo more than a guitar. Ah well, back to Orson and his flute.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Toad
Date: 12 May 00 - 11:18 AM

Banjos arn't sexy?? Darn!

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Wesley S
Date: 12 May 00 - 11:28 AM

I've always wondered if women think a regular banjo is adequate or do they prefer the long necked models??

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: The Shambles
Date: 12 May 00 - 11:31 AM

"Shambles define your terms here. Are we speaking of guitars as objects, the sound produced by a guitar and subsequent music composed for guitar or guitar players as opposed to banjos, banjo music and banjo players."

I don't know, is the answer. Reading the thread, I am beginning to understand a little more. I don't even know if 'sexy' is the right word. This image, just seems to be a fact.

My thinking went something like this: I would advise any young person, who was having trouble with self-esteem or making friends, to learn to play the guitar (or another instrument). From my experience, girls appeared to be attracted to blokes that played guitar and blokes would want you to teach them how to play. I would not however advise them to take up the banjo and I wondered why?

I think that I may have been attracted to girls that played the guitar (Joni). I don't remember being exposed to one, but I don't think I would have been attracted to a girl playing the banjo. Unless of course they also had, "red hair and black leather, my favourite colour scheme"?

I am getting 'all hot' now. I have this picture of 'Red Molly', on the back of a 1952 Vincent, playing 'drooling banjos'.

Motor bikes were sexy but three-wheelers, were not.

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 12 May 00 - 11:39 AM

So you reckon she didn't marry me for my little kazoo? Her previous boyfriend built & played guitar. (He went on to marry her best friend, we've (both sets) managed to stay married for nearly 30 years, now he's learning fiddle!).It certainly wasn't for my singing voice. It must have been my extensive repertoire (nudge nudge).
RtS

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: zander (inactive)
Date: 12 May 00 - 11:51 AM

Doesterr, you should listen to Barney McKenna play a slow air on the tenor banjo if you think they can't sound sweet. This is a difficult question for us men, there are'nt many female banjo players in England, and with the best will in the world I cant find any men banjo players sexy. Peace and love, Dave

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 12 May 00 - 12:39 PM

Having dated women who were shaped like guitars, banjos, and mandolins, I'm not sure I relate to the "shape" issue.

I will say however that a promo photo of Peggy Seeger (with banjo) that I saw when I was 15, beat every "Playmate of the Month" hands down. On the other hand, Leadbelly (with guitar) did nothing for me. Likewise Joan Baez and Judy Collins.

Rick (who never dated anyone shaped like a Hammer Dulcimer)

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 12 May 00 - 12:49 PM

Shambles, Barney McKenna has been a "hero" of mine for many years.

Jon

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Jon W.
Date: 12 May 00 - 12:57 PM

So, did the first time ever Ewan MacColl saw Peggy Seeger's face, did she have her banjo in her lap?

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Fortunato
Date: 12 May 00 - 01:41 PM

Hey Fielding that must have been some photo of Peggy Seeger. I'm trying to imagine a centerfold in Sing Out with a NUDE Seeger......AAAAAAAAIIIIIII. OMIGOD wrong Seeger. Ugly. I think I hurt myself. (Sorry Mike)

Heretofore I've respected your opinion, Rick, but better than Playboy? Well each to his own. Whatever bangs your beezer.

regrets, Fortunato

Subject: RE: Why are guitars SEXY and banjos, not?
From: Fortunato
Date: 12 May 00 - 01:41 PM

Hey Fielding that must have been some photo of Peggy Seeger. I'm trying to imagine a centerfold in Sing Out with a NUDE Seeger......AAAAAAAAIIIIIII. OMIGOD wrong Seeger. Ugly. I think I hurt myself. (Sorry Mike)

Heretofore I've respected your opinion, Rick, but better than Playboy? Well each to his own. Whatever bangs your beezer.

regrets, Fortunato