New Study Confirms Modern Guitarists are Women, People of Color, and Driven by Identity

October 16, 2018

Written by

She Shreds

Images by

She Shreds Media

Photos by

Emily Quirk

A new study shows that women and people of color are changing the guitar market. Researchers also found the mental and emotional health benefits behind playing the guitar.

While last year there was a constant buzz of the decline of the guitar, new research by Fender and Egg Strategy shows that the guitar market is evolving in the United States and the United Kingdom. The Illuminating State of Today’s Guitar Players research explores the vibrant and curious culture of the guitar community. The motivation behind players picking up the instrument is changing and the mental and emotional health benefits behind learning the guitar are hopeful. And oh yeah- women are behind the guitar’s emerging market.

The guitar is very much alive.

Here are some key insights from the study:

50 percent of all beginner and aspirational players identify as women
72 percent of respondents picked up the guitar to learn something new and better their lives
People don’t necessarily want to become rockstars anymore. 61 percent of guitar players just want to learn how to play for themselves and socially
42 percent said they viewed guitar as part of their identity

Guitar players are super diverse too. Their research shows that 19 percent of aspirational players are African-American while Latinx players make up 25 percent of beginners. Fender CEO Andy Mooney says in the press release, “Today’s players have grown up in a different cultural context and popular music landscape, and rising artists like Mura Masa, Tash Sultana, Youngr, Daniel Caesar, Grimes and Ed Sheeran are changing the way guitar is being used.”

This study also found that this current generation of creators and musicians see the emotional and mental health benefits behind learning how to play the guitar. Award-winning neuroscientist, musician, record producer and author Daniel Levitin consulted this study and states, “Playing an instrument has a meditative aspect that can release positive hormones in the brain and can reduce the stress hormone Cortisol, increase productivity, and create social bonding to combat loneliness in the digital age.”

Guitar culture in the digital age isn’t only positively affecting mental health, but new streaming platforms provides access to new players and encourages them to create.

It’s safe to say that the future of the guitar is hopeful, young and diverse. The future of the guitar is Black, Brown, Womxn, Non-Binary, and LGBTQIA. The future of the guitar is in good hands.

Music is for everybody, not just for CIS people (like myself) as well as Black, Brown, Womxn, Non-Binary, and LGBTQIA. We musicians are all members of one community.
Comment by Tom Tobin on October 25, 2018 at 2:20 pm
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happy wheels online.
Comment by Rosaura Velasco on November 13, 2018 at 7:08 am
[…] October 2018: Fender announces new research stating that 50% of new players are women. […]
Pingback by She Shreds Media on June 16, 2020 at 3:26 pm
[…] business were either bankrupt, in debt, or making major budget cuts. However, the following year Fender’s market research showed that the market was evolving: the new generation’s motivation had shifted, with a […]
Pingback by She Shreds Media on September 29, 2020 at 12:18 pm
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