Instruments Women Were Allowed To Play

The instruments which women were allowed to play were limited. These limitations stemmed, in some part, from men trying to maintain strict control over the women. Women were not allowed, for example, to play the flute because its shape was too suggestive (Leppert, 122). For the most part, women played the instruments listed below. Portraits of women, but not of men, were frequently painted with instruments.

Keyboard Instruments

• spinet
• harpsichord
• square and grand pianos

Stringed Instruments

• guitar
• lute

Voice

These limitations were recorded in a conduct book by John Essex in 1722 (Leppert, 122).

The Harpsichord, Spinnet, Lute, and Base Violin, are Instruments most agreeable to the Ladies: There are some others that really are unbecoming to the Fair Sex; as the Flute, Violin, Hautboy; the last of which is too Manlike and would look indecent in a Woman's Mouth; and the Flute is very improper, as taking away too much of the Juices, which are otherwise more necessarily employ'd, to promote the Appetite, and assist Digestion.

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