Facial hair VS pedal register

[bort]

Haha, perfect...thanks Wade!

[MaryAnn]

Brooke wrote:
"...everyone has some differences....so maybe it's either a psychological placebo-effect or the shape of our lips, embouchure, mouth and the way our facial hair grows can be a problem. Of course.....I'm sure there are some tuba playing women who don't have this problem....or maybe there are... "

heh. I don't have this problem!! I did have a beard once in a dream (big red one, pretty funny...) but I wasn't playing tuba in the dream so can't tell you how it affects the pedal register.

Oh, and BTW, the pedals from F on down to what would be pedal C on a CC tuba, are a lot easier to play on an F tuba than on a C tuba. Because you don't have so many valves down, it doesn't suck the air out of you. The 182 also has a smaller bore than you'd find on most CC tubas. The notes above the pedal F can suck the air out of you pretty well though; although I find them less "sucky" than the just-above-pedals on my CC.

MA

[pierso20]

Brooke wrote:
"...everyone has some differences....so maybe it's either a psychological placebo-effect or the shape of our lips, embouchure, mouth and the way our facial hair grows can be a problem. Of course.....I'm sure there are some tuba playing women who don't have this problem....or maybe there are... "

heh. I don't have this problem!! I did have a beard once in a dream (big red one, pretty funny...) but I wasn't playing tuba in the dream so can't tell you how it affects the pedal register.

Oh, and BTW, the pedals from F on down to what would be pedal C on a CC tuba, are a lot easier to play on an F tuba than on a C tuba. Because you don't have so many valves down, it doesn't suck the air out of you. The 182 also has a smaller bore than you'd find on most CC tubas. The notes above the pedal F can suck the air out of you pretty well though; although I find them less "sucky" than the just-above-pedals on my CC.

MA

heh heh heh

Yeah, F tuba's are a dream in how easy those pedals come out. I can play as low on my F (easier) than on my CC. However, for what it's worth down there, the low rumbles on the CC sound much nicer (darker/rounder) than the F. Especially my tiny little F.

[DavidK]

Growing a winter beard again...

Finding a progressively deteriorating extreme low range as the hair fills in an gets thicker. Pedal BBb became a big challenge this past week. The lower pitches evaporated over the previous 1-2 weeks. Same as in the 2004 discussion thread. Once the moustache fills in enough to support the undercut, I might try clearing the mouthpiece contact area on my upper lip again.

Part of the problem also is determined by the direction the hairs grow, how thick, wiry or stiff they are and whether your natural body oils allow the beard &/or moustache to get moist and soften enough while playing. Think of it as working with the grain or against the grain, depending on the direction of the growth of your facial hair and if it naturally fights the comb and intertwines (think bird nest, wheat chex, etc...) or smooths out and flattens out. This interference factor could also have a negative effect on your flexibility, as it does with mine.

Rick - And same as the 2004 thread, my girlfriend likes the winter facial hair and doesn't care what notes I can or cannot play on my tuba!!!

Dale - as soon as it gets to be marching season, the beard will go! But for these friggin freezin St. Pat's parades, I'm keepin every bit of insullation I can muster!!!

[imperialbari]

When biking I strive to keep my facial hair out of the pedal range.

K

[jonesbrass]

When biking I strive to keep my facial hair out of the pedal range.

K

Yee-ouch!!

[DavidK]

Dale - I'll catch up with you at a Bridgemen Alumni preformance this summer! By then you will have accumulated a large body of facial hair related data and tuba-related testing results!!!!

[jonesbrass]

I think part of the problem is the "occasional" growth of hair. If you're used to playing without it, it probably does make it worse. For those of us who keep a year-round beard, seems like we're used to it, and it doesn't have any negative effect on our playing.
Dale, love those pipe bands. I've always wanted to learn to play the pipes. The sound can really choke me up.

[Tubaryan12]

I am not brave enough to shave my upper lip completely, however, I have shaved it very short and for the 1st time in my life I have been able to play a pedal Bb repeatedly. Not quite ready to go with the Amish look yet, but if I was being paid to play, the mustache would be gone in an instant. BigDale, thanks for the thread!

[Kevin Hendrick]

I wish I could shave without all the little knicks.

Try using an electric to knock down most of it, then finish off (carefully!) with a blade & shaving cream, if needed -- works for me!