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The 'stache is for the ladies.

Just from this pic alone, I conclude that guys with moustaches are much better players than guys without.....lol

I wonder if they had the lacquer vs silver vs raw brass debate as well?

Works with some, not with others. I have friends with moustaches and beards who have no trouble whatsoever, but I can barely hit a low Bb after three or four days not shaving. I can't get a seal on the upper lip. The only way for you to know is to try it.

Well I can say with utmost certainty that facial hair had NO affect on my horn playing as my mouthpiece wasn't ever touching where the hair grew. But it most definitely screws my low range on tuba. As mentioned by others the seal is gone and there will be no full low notes to be had. I have played in sections with several folks that had full beards ( well trimmed it should be pointed out ) and while some where quality players I can't say I ever heard anything I'd call full out of their low range. I'm sure there are people that can do it, but I've not met them yet. I'm not talking about the loud blattissimo sousaphonesque type of low note, but the FULL tone with depth and weight to it.

I particularly like the reasonably-sized tuba.

I play with a mustache and goatee. I have no issues.

Playing tuba I cannot have a mustache at all. I can't get a seal and the mouthpiece pushes the hairs back into my lips causing a nasty razor burn type rash or something. I can play trombone & euphonium with it but, as pointed out above, the mustache is trimmed a little higher and the mouthpiece fits up underneath it.

However, on the flip side of things I do have a goatee or beard as the mood soots s me. With the hair pointing down I don't seem to have the same problems as I do with the mustache.

LA Phil low brass section for Gurrelieder (crazy low range, down to a long Db for tuba and contrabone, the F contra pictured played the Eb bass trombone part)-


It really doesn't affect me too much either way except that shaving screws with my face and besides the blood I also have a harder time talking clearly, which I was never that hot with in the first place. Why can't the military go back to Civil War era shaving standards? FML.

Stubble? No.

Full beard? Not a problem.

See avatar...

Maybe there's a solution out there for me but whenever I play baby-faced my face sticks to my mouthpiece and can't move. I like my light goatee.