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In particular a mustache not so much a beard (as a mustache sits inside the mouthpiece and the beard does not).

I like to keep a beard on my face as I feel it fits my "style" but I cannot keep a mustache as it negatively affects my playing. When I've not shaved my sound loses color, my articulation becomes sloppy, and my low register is almost non-exsistant. I have no idea why this is the case but it is. It really makes no sense to me. Does anyone know why facial hair would affect tuba playing? Is it all in my head or what? Does this happen to anyone else? Does anyone play successfully with a mustache?

Davis

I had the same experience. Didn't notice the problem as the moustache was growing in because it was a gradual change, but when I shaved it off the low notes came back. That layer of hair between the mouthpiece and the lip interferes with lip vibration.

Art Hovey wrote:I had the same experience. Didn't notice the problem as the moustache was growing in because it was a gradual change, but when I shaved it off the low notes came back. That layer of hair between the mouthpiece and the lip interferes with lip vibration.

Yeah I only notice after I've shaved. It's such a pain to shave every day ! But the must go on!

I wear a beard in the winter only, so I play a lot with a beard. Like anything else, people will tell you it's no big deal, people will tell you it's a huge deal, and you'll fall somewhere inbetween. I keep it trimmed pretty tight, and especially tight around the top and bottom lips.

I agree I can play better without it, but I'm probably 95% with the beard.

My advice (and not just for the beard)....don't make any big changes during particularly "important" playing times. No one in the audience will g.a.s. if the beard is in the way.

tubainty wrote:Yeah I only notice after I've shaved. It's such a pain to shave every day ! But the must go on!

There are worse things in life than shaving every day. And if you're in a real pinch, just shave around your mouth. For a day or so, no one will notice (or not enough to say anything )

bort wrote:

tubainty wrote:Yeah I only notice after I've shaved. It's such a pain to shave every day ! But the must go on!

There are worse things in life than shaving every day. And if you're in a real pinch, just shave around your mouth. For a day or so, no one will notice (or not enough to say anything )

That's what I do. Right now I have a full beard except just about and just below my lips.

When I arrived in Evanston as a grad assistant at Northwestern U., one of the first things that Rex Martin told me was that my playing level would shoot way up if I shaved off my beard. I shaved it off, and presto-change-o, he was right. My range increased (high and low), my sound improved and I began clamming and air balling atleast 20% less.

The presence of facial hair prevents an ideal mouthpiece seal, as well as the lips from vibrating to their full sonic potential inside the mouthpiece. You can have a beard and shave the hair around the lips and get good results. This is my experience.

You can have a beard and shave the hair around the lips and get good results.

...But it really looks goofy.

Well there comes a time in every tuba player's life when he has to make a decision. Shave or not to shave. I decided in the interests of trying to quickly play well the beard had to go. And with it any chance of being a career Santa Claus.

Where's TJ Ricer when you need him?

Rev Rob wrote:Well there comes a time in every tuba player's life when he has to make a decision. Shave or not to shave. I decided in the interests of trying to quickly play well the beard had to go. And with it any chance of being a career Santa Claus.

On the bright side, Rob... Santa was never much of a tuba player.

One of the priests at our church recently shaved off his beard, probably similar to yours, Rob. He said that after shaving it off, the first time he went back to the seminary school where he teaches, people who have known him for many years were coming up to him and introducing themselves to him. I sure didn't recognize him until he started talking.

bort wrote:

Rev Rob wrote:Well there comes a time in every tuba player's life when he has to make a decision. Shave or not to shave. I decided in the interests of trying to quickly play well the beard had to go. And with it any chance of being a career Santa Claus.

On the bright side, Rob... Santa was never much of a tuba player.

One of the priests at our church recently shaved off his beard, probably similar to yours, Rob. He said that after shaving it off, the first time he went back to the seminary school where he teaches, people who have known him for many years were coming up to him and introducing themselves to him. I sure didn't recognize him until he started talking.

My father has had a huge beard (ken sloan-ish big) since he was in his teens. When I was about 6 years old I convinced him to shave it all off, literally begged for days. He finally shaved it off and kept a beard, he fell asleep on the couch, I fell asleep in my room. When my mother came home she started screaming and yelling and tried to call the police because, "an hispanic man had broken into her house and fallen asleep!" CLASSIC. He has had a beard every single day since.