Being a female guitar player back in school wasn't great, and I had to change schools so many times. The male drummers and bass players thought it was cool, but male guitar players said, 'It's a guy's thing. You should be doing something else, like playing the harp.'

This quote by Australian guitarist Orianthi sheds light on the gender bias she faced while pursuing her passion for playing the guitar. She reflects on her experience as a female guitar player during her school years, describing how she encountered resistance and discouragement, particularly from male guitar players who viewed the instrument as "a guy's thing." Their suggestion that she take up a more traditionally feminine instrument, like the harp, illustrates the narrow gender expectations she was up against.

Interestingly, Orianthi points out that male drummers and bass players were more accepting, even finding her talent "cool." This contrast shows that not all areas of the music world shared the same level of exclusion, but it also highlights how certain roles—like lead guitar—were especially guarded by male dominance. The repeated need to change schools reflects the toll this bias took on her educational and social life.

The origin of this quote comes from Orianthi’s interviews discussing her early journey into the music industry, where she often spoke candidly about the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field. Despite the pushback, she went on to become one of the most respected female guitarists in the rock and pop world, playing with legends like Carlos Santana, Alice Cooper, and Michael Jackson. Her story underscores the importance of perseverance in the face of gender stereotypes and serves as an empowering message for young women pursuing their passions.