facial hair

[Douglas]

You could always pull the Ron Davis. He shaves his mustache around the mouthpiece. Seems to work well for him.

picture link: https://lightthewaysc.files.wordpress.c ... davis.jpeg" target="_blank

[roweenie]

I've had facial hair my whole adult life, almost continuously, since I was 17 years old (I'm 52 now).

However, there was a short period of time in the late 80s (about 2 months) where I was clean shaven, and I found that the hair grew so fast, that I almost always had some sort of stubble, and it was very annoying, and hindered my ability to play.

The only remedy was to shave twice a day, especially if I had an evening gig. And, I've also got very sensitive skin, which causes its own difficulties, as well.

Not only does facial hair have no negative effect on my playing, it is positive in that it makes it more comfortable for me to play.

[roweenie]

' probably no need for those with facial hair under their mouthpieces and with not problems to defend their approach...

Agreed; nothing to defend, just recounting my own personal experience

[roweenie]

WHERE do you find this stuff?!?!?

[oedipoes]

I never shave beard or mustache to bare skin anymore.
Bare skin tended to be sensitive to irritation and felt slippery on the mouthpiece to me.

I tried to let the beard grow longer (less work for me...) but tuba playing got even worse...

Now I trim my beard every 4-5 days or before rehearsal or gig, short setting on the trimmer, the little bit on my lower lip even a bit shorter.
The mouthpiece position feels much more stable, and no skin irritation at all.

[Tubaryan12]

...

If you have facial hair underneath your mouthpiece...

Before posting about not being able to play loud enough, lack of clarity, low range response problems, or precision issues, why not TRY removing that hair first? If - after a few days - it improves nothing, you can grow it back.

I have heard a few fine players who play with facial hair underneath their mouthpieces, but I suspect they are fine players in spite of the facial hair.

I have a mustache and hair below the lower lip. If both are not cut to the correct length before I play, I'll chip notes a to the point it makes rehearsal worthless. It's as important as oiling the valves.

Tubaryan "everything must be in top performance condition" 12