Women who play their own musical instruments really rock!
For today's PLAY blog, I thought I'd profile three female musicians who do more than lend their voices to their unforgettable songs - they play instruments too!
Two of these women are legends in their own right - each a personal favorite of mine. The third is arguably one of today's hottest performers, a raw talent that's hard to ignore.
I love Annie Lennox!
Her haunting vocals and spellbinding lyrics are so fantastic - if I had to pick a favorite, it would definitely be between "Walking on Broken Glass," "No More I Love You's," "Why" and "Here Comes The Rain Again" and "Sweet Dreams" with her Eurythmics band mate David Stewart.
I think I would say that "Why" is my favorite!
Who else out there loves this song? It's just great, right?
This is my favorite performance of hers... such emotion! Incredible.
Annie's skill on the piano is just out of this world. She plays with such conviction that it's really inspiring.
Let's all take an inspirational cue from Annie, piano lessons stat!
Just a few days ago on June 19, Annie performed at the Dolce & Gabbana Men's Spring/Summer 2011 fashion show in Milan, and the Los Angeles Times' "All The Rage" blog has all the deets!
Annie performed a medley of hits (including "No More I Love You's," "Why," and "A Whiter Shade of Pale") in true epic form during the seventeen minute fashion show, as chiseled male models strutted by her.
I'd say Annie and her piano stole the show!
Check out the video below - she definitely still has it.
Joni Mitchell is another of my favorite musicians - from her voice to her lyrics to the masterful way she plays the guitar.
A folk music legend and a gifted artist, I love spending serene afternoons listening to songs like "Both Sides Now" and "A Case of You."
I love this video of Joni performing "Both Sides Now" in 1970. It's crazy to believe this was 40 years ago!
Did you know that every song that Joni composed on her guitar uses non-standard tuning? It's true!
Joni has written sons in over 50 different tunics, which she refers to as "Joni's weird chords."
Love this woman.
Unless you've been living under a rock, you're familiar with Lady Gaga.
Her fierce musical point of view, avant garde fashion choices and the fact that she dares to be different have made Gaga the superstar that she is today.
One of the things I find most inspiring about Lady Gaga is that she is such a talented musician.
Have you seen this live performance of her ballad "Speechless"?
The emotion that she imbues into every note and piano chord is undeniable.
Did you know that she was such an expert piano player?
This acoustic version of her hit "Paparazzi" almost sounds like a completely different song!
Go Gaga, go!
Has seeing and listening to any of these amazing female artists inspired you to learn how to play an instrument? I hope so!
Music is such a great way to express creativity - so why not learn to play?
FUN TASK:
If you could start your very own dream band, what instrument would you play (either that you already do play or would like to learn to) and what would the name of your band be?
Ill send my Rock Anthem eye shadow and this Joni Mitchell Collector's Edition DVD to some of my favorites.
xoxoxo,
Carina
My favorites are...
DSW
g&g
xxxooo,
Carina
KEEP UP WITH CARINA ON TWITTER - CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW HER!
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email this
Comments (28)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
...
written by Dixie82, June 24, 2010
written by Dixie82, June 24, 2010
I always wanted to learn to play a guitar! and the name of my band would be...Rock me Baby!!!
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by lucitabonita, June 24, 2010
written by lucitabonita, June 24, 2010
I would play the Vihuela in a folk rock band called Bad Mariachi Mamas!
It's similar to a guitar and has a signature sound.
I think it would be fun to mix Mexican Mariachi music and American Rock
It's similar to a guitar and has a signature sound.
I think it would be fun to mix Mexican Mariachi music and American Rock
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by maribellaugh, June 24, 2010
written by maribellaugh, June 24, 2010
Oh how fun!
I would love to learn to play the Guitar.
I love the sound of just vox and guitar. It's so soothing and perfect.
I would assume a stage name of Salina Star, and play a solo career touring the world with just myself and my guitar.
Pure raw emotion, pure raw music.
I would love to learn to play the Guitar.
I love the sound of just vox and guitar. It's so soothing and perfect.
I would assume a stage name of Salina Star, and play a solo career touring the world with just myself and my guitar.
Pure raw emotion, pure raw music.
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by nevermore, June 24, 2010
written by nevermore, June 24, 2010
i would name my fantasy band rayven and the vixen crew and would play the keyboards (which i do play a little bit irl). i love that keyboards now have so much versatility between the instruments and sampling. we would sound like a mix between industrial, and trip hop. all my lady band members would dress super goth sexy with insane hair and makeup.
we'd take the world by storm
rayven and the vixen crew rocks
we'd take the world by storm
rayven and the vixen crew rocks
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by oogieboogie, June 24, 2010
written by oogieboogie, June 24, 2010
I have always wanted to learn to play an instrument! I do sing but I have virtually no coordination in my hands and thus have never learned.
Okay once I did try to take up the clarinet which was a total disaster!
If I had any coordination I would love to learn to play the Cello.
I love the sound of a sad cello, especially mixed into a band. It gives such a fullness to the sound and if done right, it can be magical!
My imaginary band would be called Jesus Wept.
I just like the sound of it.
Okay once I did try to take up the clarinet which was a total disaster!
If I had any coordination I would love to learn to play the Cello.
I love the sound of a sad cello, especially mixed into a band. It gives such a fullness to the sound and if done right, it can be magical!
My imaginary band would be called Jesus Wept.
I just like the sound of it.
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by fayemaygo, June 24, 2010
written by fayemaygo, June 24, 2010
I play the piano, and some of my biggest influences are Tori Amos, Alicia Keys and Lady Gaga.
I love getting new music and listening, drawing inspiration, and writing. If I were to start a band my band name would be Fayettevillains.
I love getting new music and listening, drawing inspiration, and writing. If I were to start a band my band name would be Fayettevillains.
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by muddledmum, June 24, 2010
written by muddledmum, June 24, 2010
I love coming up with band names. When I was a teenager my friend and I would pull out the dictionary and point blindly at words and create all sorts of awesome band names, but we never actually started a band Hehe. 
One of the most awesome names that we came up with was Vector Trap, so if I ever did start a band, I think I would name it Vector Trap.
One of the most awesome names that we came up with was Vector Trap, so if I ever did start a band, I think I would name it Vector Trap.
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by ayeluvme, June 24, 2010
written by ayeluvme, June 24, 2010
I would love to learn to play the drums and start a band called Croquetta.
There are so few female drummers, I think there needs to be more!
There are so few female drummers, I think there needs to be more!
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by jootedo85, June 24, 2010
written by jootedo85, June 24, 2010
Those are three of my favorite women artists right there. I play guitar and my current band is called Beauty Queen, but I am not thrilled with the name. I am trying to get everyone to agree to change it, I think that Reine sounds so much better (It's Queen in French) 
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by DSW, June 25, 2010
written by DSW, June 25, 2010
Oooh I love this. I once tried to create a whole band by using fate!
What I did was: 1) pressed random article in wikipedia, 2) went to a quotations page, took the last 3-5 words of a quote on the page and 3) went to flickr and chose the 'most interesting photo's of the last seven days' to come up with not only a band, but also a title for an album and an album cover.
And I believe the fates were good to me, because this is what I got and I love it!:
I think I'd like to play the drums, because there's a lot of power and to me they're the backbone to every song. They hardly ever get solos but they're so important in the team! That's how I'd like to see myself, too!
What I did was: 1) pressed random article in wikipedia, 2) went to a quotations page, took the last 3-5 words of a quote on the page and 3) went to flickr and chose the 'most interesting photo's of the last seven days' to come up with not only a band, but also a title for an album and an album cover.
And I believe the fates were good to me, because this is what I got and I love it!:
I think I'd like to play the drums, because there's a lot of power and to me they're the backbone to every song. They hardly ever get solos but they're so important in the team! That's how I'd like to see myself, too!
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by lilys775, June 25, 2010
written by lilys775, June 25, 2010
guitar, electric or acoustic i'm open to both! i've always thought it was an awesome talent to be able to play the guitar and rock out! i'd name my band "Histronic" --- as to histronic personality disorder... because few of my favourite actors in classical movies suffered from this disorder.. ie blanche dubois from a streetcar named desire
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by jackiescobie, June 25, 2010
written by jackiescobie, June 25, 2010
I love to play the harp or flute. Not sure what kind of band I'd play in with those instruments but would be cool to be able to play them all the same. 
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by mo86, June 25, 2010
written by mo86, June 25, 2010
I love Annie Lennox! She is my total Idol!
If I were to be in a band I would want to name it Forever Bliss, and play the acoustic guitar. I can play a little bit, but I am by no means an expert.
If I were to be in a band I would want to name it Forever Bliss, and play the acoustic guitar. I can play a little bit, but I am by no means an expert.
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by nessilock2059, June 25, 2010
written by nessilock2059, June 25, 2010
I would play the Electric Violin (have you seen them, they are so awesome) and I would name my band Monstrata.
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by connieconn, June 25, 2010
written by connieconn, June 25, 2010
The instrument i'd most love to be able to use would be my voice. I find people who can sing to be absolutely amazing....and for me a person can sing without any other types of instruments and i can fall deeper into the song. If you don't count a singing voice as an instrument i would then chose a harp bc the sound can be so breathtakingly beautiful or haunting.
My name would have to be truly.....
My name would have to be truly.....
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by FRIDAY21, June 25, 2010
written by FRIDAY21, June 25, 2010
My dream instrument would be the trumpet! I know I am a dork but I used to play it.
It would be called Catch us if you want
It would be called Catch us if you want
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by Peachykeen, June 25, 2010
written by Peachykeen, June 25, 2010
I would love to be able to sing 
I have always wanted to sing but my voice is always off key lol.
I think that I would name the band the Washashores
I have always wanted to sing but my voice is always off key lol. I think that I would name the band the Washashores
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by jbroni100, June 26, 2010
The instrument i would like to learn to play is the saxaphone.
we had this fabulous Orchestra come to our school, and they had array of musical instruments, the one instrument that stood out for me was the saxaphone.
i would like to play it like lisa simpson, it looks fun and would bring a different sound to our band compared to the usual instruments.
the band would be called Groove because we would make groovy music, how cheesy.
written by jbroni100, June 26, 2010
The instrument i would like to learn to play is the saxaphone.
we had this fabulous Orchestra come to our school, and they had array of musical instruments, the one instrument that stood out for me was the saxaphone.
i would like to play it like lisa simpson, it looks fun and would bring a different sound to our band compared to the usual instruments.
the band would be called Groove because we would make groovy music, how cheesy.
-
- +0
-
-
Bnad Me
written by organically, June 28, 2010
written by organically, June 28, 2010
I would probably play the harmonica because it is surprisingly one of the only instrument I have been able to play a few good songs on... (I also like the drums... but the foot pedal is quite a challenge for me...) Maybe I'd be a one-woman band with a head gear hook up for my harmonica so I can free my hands to play the drum... I'd call my show "Twang"
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by g&g, June 28, 2010
written by g&g, June 28, 2010
I'm already in 2 bands right now (voice , synths , and programming) and I also play guitar and bass (yay high school music classes!). However I'd very much like to learn to play the drums and start a band with some awesome women I know 'cause all the serious bands I've been in have been me and a bunch of dudes and I really click well with so many badass women on the scene here.
In my dream band , that I' wish I had time for, my friend E. would play guitar and my friend D. would play piano. It'd probably be kinda gothy , kinda psych-y. and kinda noisy judging on what the 3 of us do now. Maybe slightly Jesus and Marychain-esque.
Anyway I always wanted to have a band called "Comfort" because that is the collective noun for a group of cats and me and the ladies of my dream band are all cat fanciers. I also joke with some of my lady pals about starting a band called "Sorcières" - french for witches! there is a GREAT line in the Quebec dubbed version of The Craft "c'est nous les sorcières" - "we are the witches". It's so awesome and hokey that it needs to be a band name.
In my dream band , that I' wish I had time for, my friend E. would play guitar and my friend D. would play piano. It'd probably be kinda gothy , kinda psych-y. and kinda noisy judging on what the 3 of us do now. Maybe slightly Jesus and Marychain-esque.
Anyway I always wanted to have a band called "Comfort" because that is the collective noun for a group of cats and me and the ladies of my dream band are all cat fanciers. I also joke with some of my lady pals about starting a band called "Sorcières" - french for witches! there is a GREAT line in the Quebec dubbed version of The Craft "c'est nous les sorcières" - "we are the witches". It's so awesome and hokey that it needs to be a band name.
-
- +0
-
-
...
written by bamboozled, June 28, 2010
written by bamboozled, June 28, 2010
I have always wanted to play Guitar in a band. My fantasy band would be called Bella Vida
-
- +0
-
-
"Distant Relatives By Marriage"
written by wishbone, June 29, 2010
written by wishbone, June 29, 2010
Haha no ways!
I was actually just thinking about this.
I was having a conversation earlier today and friend was mentioning her family and I had said something about "Distant Relatives By Marriage"
And it rang so cool!
I decided it would be a killer band name!
I was actually just thinking about this.
I was having a conversation earlier today and friend was mentioning her family and I had said something about "Distant Relatives By Marriage"
And it rang so cool!
I decided it would be a killer band name!
-
- +0
-
-
Write comment
