Musicians in heels

[at9]

I've tried and failed to find an old thread about musicians who play while wearing heels. ISTR an organist doing incredible things on the pedalboard in heels. Also pianists and others.

I wasn't looking for heels, only for music, but today I found a video of one of the world's top concert pianists, Yuja Wang:

QUite apart from superb paino playing she's wearing some very high heels which can be glimpsed occasionally. At 3:43 and 3:11 for example.

[Shyheels]

I an wearing otk boots with 3,5" heels and playing Apple Tunes on my laptop. Does that count?

 

[at9]

Sorry, that doesn't quite get to the core of the subject.......

[Chorlini]

This girl drummed in heels.

 

 

 

Her channel seems to be dead though since 2015 after a knee injury, so maybe it wasn't the best idea of her to drum like this?

For myself I find playing guitar in heels quite hard. Not the actual playing or standing, but hitting the switches on my controller right

Edited January 20, 2021 by Chorlini

[at9]

I think we mentioned her in that previous thread that I have now just found:

 

[AlexC94]

Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. My personal female musician crush. She has even worn pleaser boots on stage as well as Jeffrey Campbells.

[Chorlini]

2 hours ago, AlexC94 said:

Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. My personal female musician crush. She has even worn pleaser boots on stage as well as Jeffrey Campbells.

 

Does she sing or play an instrument? Because I don't count singers in general as musicians in this regards, if only because the vast majority of women in music are singers.

[AlexC94]

4 hours ago, Chorlini said:

Does she sing or play an instrument? Because I don't count singers in general as musicians in this regards, if only because the vast majority of women in music are singers.

She plays guitar and piano.

[VirginHeels]

Prince anyone???

[Cali]

I was in San Francisco back in 2014 around Pier 39 area (tourist trap area by the waterfront near Fisherman's Wharf) on a knee-scooter with high heels.  Out of the blue a black guy came running up to me to give me a high-five and just said "Yeah Prince" .   😍

Edited January 23, 2021 by Cali

[Pierre1961]

What about Lola Astanova? And and other girl , Chinese,whom I can’t remember the name. Suzy something? 

Was just wondering if people went to the concert for the music or just for watching the girl. 

She seems to be good .I am not a specialist. But for sure she looks wonderful. 

[VirginHeels]

Some artists I’ve seen:

Carrie Underwood

 

Maren Morris

 

Kelsea Ballerini

Carly Pearce

 

Karen Fairchild (Little Big Town)

 

Maira Bink (In This Moment)

 

Faith Hill

 

Leann Rimes

 

Miranda Lambert

 

Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless) Also of Gossip Girl fame. xoxo

 

Lzzy Hale (Halestorm) Try operating a wah pedal with those heels guys!!!

 

Avril Lavigne

[mlroseplant]

5 hours ago, Pierre1961 said:

What about Lola Astanova? And and other girl , Chinese,whom I can’t remember the name. Suzy something? 

Was just wondering if people went to the concert for the music or just for watching the girl. 

She seems to be good .I am not a specialist. But for sure she looks wonderful. 

I seem to remember having this conversation before. Lola Astanova, while a very accomplished pianist, is just simply not up to the level of Yuja Wang. Yuja is from another planet.

[Shyheels]

I’m clearly out of touch...not a one of those singers pictured above was a name that rang any sort of bell with me...

[Heelster]

11 hours ago, Shyheels said:

I’m clearly out of touch...not a one of those singers pictured above was a name that rang any sort of bell with me...

I'd love to see Lizzy Hale (Halestorm) in concert, with or without the heels.

[RonC]

15 hours ago, VirginHeels said:

Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless) Also of Gossip Girl fame. xoxo

Love her gartered stockings here.  She gets mu vote for that alone!

[Chorlini]

On 1/24/2021 at 2:29 PM, VirginHeels said:

Some artists I’ve seen:

Carrie Underwood

 

Maren Morris

 

Kelsea Ballerini

Carly Pearce

 

Karen Fairchild (Little Big Town)

 

Maira Bink (In This Moment)

 

Faith Hill

 

Leann Rimes

Singers don't count. Not because they aren't musicians, the human voice is the most complicated instrument of all. But it takes no effort whatsoever to sing and walk in heels. You play an instrument and things are way different. Your balance shifts and sometimes, like with drummers and guitar players you have to use your feet. Operating guitar pedals in heels is 10x more difficult then with flats. And besides, female singers in heels are a dime a dozen. Women are far more likely to sing then to play an instrument then with men and women that do play an instrument rarely do so in heels. So when they do they have my respect.

 

On 1/24/2021 at 2:29 PM, VirginHeels said:

Miranda Lambert

 

Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless) Also of Gossip Girl fame. xoxo

 

Lzzy Hale (Halestorm) Try operating a wah pedal with those heels guys!!!

I know. Believe me I know.

 

[crotchhiguy]

Just now, crotchhiguy said:

Let's not forget the band Motley Crue,they wore some awesome boots and heels.

[RonC]

7 hours ago, Chorlini said:

Singers don't count.

No argument on the singer vs musician, but there's never a reason not to have a look at Carrie Underwood!

Edited January 26, 2021 by RonC

[Chorlini]

15 hours ago, crotchhiguy said:

 

Let's not forget the band Motley Crue,they wore some awesome boots and heels.

I'm really really really trying to forget that band and bands like that.

12 hours ago, RonC said:

No argument on the singer vs musician, but there's never a reason not to have a look at Carrie Underwood!

Yeah, but female singers are such low hanging fruit in this regard the branches almost hit the ground.

[mlroseplant]

I would suggest that when playing the vast majority of instruments, it makes absolutely no difference whether you're wearing heels or not. This is because most instruments do not require the use of feet in any way. The only orchestral instrument I can think of where it might make a slight amount of difference is the tuning pedal on tympani, but even that would be zero problem in heels, as this is operated quietly between pieces, and not when actually playing (usually).

That leaves two instruments where it would and does make a difference--the drum kit and the pipe organ. I'm not even going to count the piano or the harp. Those pedals are quite accessible in heels, and you don't actually make the music with the feet. Of course, there are so many electronic devices in modern popular music which are operated by the foot, but once again, the music is not actually made through the feet, so I don't think it should count, either.

Having said all that, I do find a significant difference for me when singing in heels or playing a wind instrument that requires standing in heels. What I have discovered after all these years is that I don't do as well in flats or bare feet as I do in heels, particularly with singing, and particularly singing classical music, which tends to be more technically demanding than popular music (though not in every case). I do not know whether this is a physical phenomenon or a psychological one, but it is all too real. I have learned never to show up to a rehearsal or a recording session in flats!

[at9]

@mlroseplantYou have discounted the piano in your last post. While I'm no pianist I know that sustain pedal technique is critical to classical performance. If the piano stands slightly higher off the floor for any any reason then it might actually be easier to use the pedals while wearing heels.

Obviously the organ is far harder in heels. Pascale Melis has demonstrated that it's possible to give a virtuoso organ performance in high heels. I know this link has been on HHP before but it's still astonishing.

 

[mlroseplant]

21 hours ago, at9 said:

@mlroseplantYou have discounted the piano in your last post. While I'm no pianist I know that sustain pedal technique is critical to classical performance. If the piano stands slightly higher off the floor for any any reason then it might actually be easier to use the pedals while wearing heels.

Obviously the organ is far harder in heels. Pascale Melis has demonstrated that it's possible to give a virtuoso organ performance in high heels. I know this link has been on HHP before but it's still astonishing.

 

Not only classical performance, but practically any style. Boogie Woogie probably does not require the use of the pedal, but most styles do to make the piano sound like the piano. However, actually operating the pedal requires minimal movement, and of course the heel of the shoe remains in the same spot on the floor. It's just not a big deal to play in heels or flats. It's a non-issue. That's why I discounted the piano, and pretty much every other instrument, with the noted exceptions. And yes, Pascale Melis is amazing.

[p1ng74]

32 minutes ago, mlroseplant said:

Not only classical performance, but practically any style. Boogie Woogie probably does not require the use of the pedal, but most styles do to make the piano sound like the piano. However, actually operating the pedal requires minimal movement, and of course the heel of the shoe remains in the same spot on the floor. It's just not a big deal to play in heels or flats. It's a non-issue. That's why I discounted the piano, and pretty much every other instrument, with the noted exceptions. And yes, Pascale Melis is amazing.

Sort of reminds me of this:

Though, based on your criteria, which considers the amount of foot movement, that would place the harp a bit more challenging than the piano, as it has 7 pedals, and depending on the piece they get used fairly often as they have to be moved any time the piece calls for any accidentals.  But it’s still nothing like the precision of playing organ, nor anything as complicated as operating a clutch pedal, which I find doable in my racecar in 4+” heels but it feels a little weird.  Interestingly, it feels totally fine in 3.5” heels - that extra bit of angle is just at my threshold between totally comfortable and stretching.  

[RonC]

I've never had a problem driving in heels.  Drivers are typically taught to operate the brake and clutch pedals with the ball of the foot, so the heel, unless very, very high, should not really be a factor.  I have driven in heels with a small platform and had no issues, but I could see a large platform throwing things off.  Never had my foot slip off of a pedal when wearing heels.

[Mr. X]

On 1/24/2021 at 8:26 PM, Heelster said:

I'd love to see Lizzy Hale (Halestorm) in concert, with or without the heels.

I saw them.  One of the best concerts I've seen!

[Cali]

4 hours ago, RonC said:

I've never had a problem driving in heels.  Drivers are typically taught to operate the brake and clutch pedals with the ball of the foot, so the heel, unless very, very high, should not really be a factor.  I have driven in heels with a small platform and had no issues, but I could see a large platform throwing things off.  Never had my foot slip off of a pedal when wearing heels.

I have gotten my stilettoes' heel stuck in the rubber mat.  Must be because I have such a lead foot.

[mlroseplant]

23 hours ago, p1ng74 said:

Sort of reminds me of this:

Though, based on your criteria, which considers the amount of foot movement, that would place the harp a bit more challenging than the piano, as it has 7 pedals, and depending on the piece they get used fairly often as they have to be moved any time the piece calls for any accidentals.  But it’s still nothing like the precision of playing organ, nor anything as complicated as operating a clutch pedal, which I find doable in my racecar in 4+” heels but it feels a little weird.  Interestingly, it feels totally fine in 3.5” heels - that extra bit of angle is just at my threshold between totally comfortable and stretching.  

I think I may have mentioned this elsewhere--I generally dislike driving in heels, even though (obviously) I like walking in them. I should say I especially dislike driving my usual car in heels, the maroon bomber 2002 Buick. I can do it just fine, but it's irritating for some reason. On the other hand, my workhorse (when I need a workhorse), a 1993 Ford F-150 with manual transmission, is no problem to drive in heels. You don't even really notice you're wearing heels, until you go to get out of the truck. I figure it must have something to do with the exact angle of the pedals.

___________________

Since this thread started out with the pianist Yuja Wang, I got to wondering how much Ms. Wang's choice of footwear influences me as a fan. I cannot say that it has no influence whatsoever, that would be disingenuous. However, I can point to a lot of other female artists who do not wear heels, or at least it isn't a main focus, and I am still a fan. And then there's that Lola Astinova, who obviously does wear very high heels and often provocative clothing, but she kind of bugs me for some reason, I can't quite put my finger on it. So I guess the answer is no, I don't admire Yuja Wang just for the heels and the dresses, but they certainly don't hurt a thing.

[Chorlini]

On 1/26/2021 at 1:21 PM, mlroseplant said:

I would suggest that when playing the vast majority of instruments, it makes absolutely no difference whether you're wearing heels or not. This is because most instruments do not require the use of feet in any way. The only orchestral instrument I can think of where it might make a slight amount of difference is the tuning pedal on tympani, but even that would be zero problem in heels, as this is operated quietly between pieces, and not when actually playing (usually).

That leaves two instruments where it would and does make a difference--the drum kit and the pipe organ. I'm not even going to count the piano or the harp. Those pedals are quite accessible in heels, and you don't actually make the music with the feet. Of course, there are so many electronic devices in modern popular music which are operated by the foot, but once again, the music is not actually made through the feet, so I don't think it should count, either.

Having said all that, I do find a significant difference for me when singing in heels or playing a wind instrument that requires standing in heels. What I have discovered after all these years is that I don't do as well in flats or bare feet as I do in heels, particularly with singing, and particularly singing classical music, which tends to be more technically demanding than popular music (though not in every case). I do not know whether this is a physical phenomenon or a psychological one, but it is all too real. I have learned never to show up to a rehearsal or a recording session in flats!

You've obviously never played the guitar or bass AND operated a pedal board or controller in heels.

12 hours ago, RonC said:

I've never had a problem driving in heels.  Drivers are typically taught to operate the brake and clutch pedals with the ball of the foot, so the heel, unless very, very high, should not really be a factor.  I have driven in heels with a small platform and had no issues, but I could see a large platform throwing things off.  Never had my foot slip off of a pedal when wearing heels.

I've tried it a couple of times, biggest obstacle for me and why I stopped doing it is hitting the brakes. I'm used to hitting the brakes with my whole feet. And found the heel to be an obstacle that dug into the floor, preventing me to slam the brakes fully down. It obviously requires a different technique, but too much effort for me.

[at9]

Since I heard Yuja Wang on the radio a number of times before seeing even a photo of her I can safely say that my opinion of her musicianship isn't coloured by her clothing and shoes.

I was unaware of Lola Astinova until this thread.