Speaking of girl drummers and percussionists, I thought I'd share this message I received in my cafe inbox.  It strikes me as kind of funny.  

a female drummer eh? on: January 10, 2003, 07:20:16 PM
wow, man I don't see many of you. I wunder how good yu are. as far as I've encountered with female drummers the're either really good really bad. and not bein mean but really I've only met like 1 good one. how good are you?

I guess my answer to his question would be: "better than some. as good as some. worse than some!"  But, isn't that true of us all?    
Who cares, anyway?  To me its not a competition between gender roles.  I play cuz' its what I've always done and I love it.  If you're better than me, Great!  More power to you!  I'll learn whatever you want to show me!  
I must admit, though,  I am kind of erked about this Meg White chick because I don't really think she can really play.  Now, Sheila E. and these other women y'all have spoken of in this thread, who can really play, thats justifiable.  But we must definitely not set a lower standard by which it is acceptable for women to play to in order to be recognized, just because there aren't as many of us out there.
It still doesn't cease to amaze me how surprised people are every day I play to see a girl behind the drums.  There are women pilots, astronauts, pro-surfers and boxers for goodness sakes .  I think its the confidence, aggressiveness and power by which people are impressed with, and "leading a group of men",  not necessarily the chops.  People tell me all the time I'm better than drummers THAT I KNOW I AM NOT better than, but its just because I'm more energetic, hit-harder, and get more attention because I'm female.  I can understand why that would bother some guys.

Quote:  "It still doesn't cease to amaze me how surprised people are every day I play to see a girl behind the drums"

I have such a laugh whenever I play on a 'Drumscape' machine, because all the guys stop and stare, their eyes out on stalks like this..    like they've never seen a woman on the drums before! It's SO funny to see the expressions on their faces like... "What the.... ?!"  

Whoooooooooo!  <thud!>

im still waiting to hear who sent that i.m.  ... you know, so we can mock them openly?  

alright alright ... ill be nice.

My use of the term wasn't meant to be disrespectful, so if anyone is offended by it I apologize: sorry.  

Perhaps I should have simply said that some guys enjoy seeing female drummers.

Tom

That's pretty interesting.

Thinking about it, I imagine that all quality female drummers must have a touch of "Joan Of Arc" in them to properly lead a band.

I'm always impressed when I see a female drummer playing with authority.

I think it's great. But when she's attractive, it's even better!

Does that make me a male chauvinist pig?  

I hope not, because I'm a hopeless, incurable one if so.  

hahahahahahaaaa..........Rita, you rock!

Christopher, I fully agree with you.

She's really not a very good drummer at all, but the White Stripes rock anyway. I just bought "Elephant". Great record if you want to hear some quality rock-n-roll. Not a great source of hot drum licks.

If you're in the LA/Hollywood area and want to see an awesome female drummer/band, then check out THE SADDERDAYS. I found her on my drumming website and directed their band to a local promoter. They've played a handful of shows already.

I guess you could say I "discovered" them, but they're holding their own out there.

Whatever you do, do NOT say they are "pretty good for chicks." They might give you a shiner.

My fav well-knowns are Cindy Blackman, Stefanie Eulinberg, and Terri Lynne Carrington.