Some of my friends are so smart, in school they could get drunk every day, miss half their classes and still ace everything.
Me??
I should have quit drinking.

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Re: So I shaved my beard.I ain’t no virtuosos, if shaving provides any advantage, I’d do it.
Some of my friends are so smart, in school they could get drunk every day, miss half their classes and still ace everything. Me?? I should have quit drinking. ![]() Who needs four valves??
Mack Brass Artiste MackBrunner 210L TU25
Re: So I shaved my beard.hrender said
Not to pick too many nits, but none of those gents except the last has a beard. Also, I'm not sure playing in the pedal range was as much of a "thing" as it has become in the last 30-40 years. And that is where being clean-shaven is most helpful.
Re: So I shaved my beard.Several of my tuba-playing friends have grown goatees over the last few years. They sounded great when they were clean-shaven, and they sound just as good now. None of them, however, has taken the tack that because they can do it, I should be able to also. They've heard me go without shaving for four days and be unable to hit an ordinary low Bb, much less pedal notes or even ordinary low range. Successful great players with beards and mustaches do not mean a damn thing to people who can't play without shaving.
Now if there's someone who CAN'T play without their facial hair, then I'll sit up and take notice. And still shave. JP/Sterling 377 Eb; 1914 Conn Monster Eb (my avatar), ca. 1905 Fillmore Bros 1/4-size Eb; Rudy Meinl 9 0.78 throat, Warburton "The Grail" T.G.4, Mr. P 6.4; for sale > Bach 42B trombone; recently retired from bass guitar after 44 years
Re: So I shaved my beard.I suppose I’ll chime in because I’ve had the opposite experience with facial hair and playing tuba. I kept my face clean cut for the first few years when I was starting to get more serious about my playing. A few years ago, I noticed that my endurance really suffered on days when I had shaved, and I got more comfortable around day 3 after shaving. Because of this I decided to grow out a beard and see what happened. FOR ME, it has made the world of a difference. The extra cushion of hair really helps with endurance, and does not impact me negatively.
About a year ago I shaved again just to see if I was crazy. I ended up having the same endurance issues I had prior to the beard, and my articulations and range were were no better than when I had the beard. I ended up growing it back out, and I haven’t looked back. The increased comfort and endurance without any negative side effects has seemed like a no brainer for me. Long story short, it may the bee’s knees or the holy grail to discover what its like playing with a clean shaven face for some people. For me it was the exact opposite. “To each his own.” Michael Ebie
B&S PT-6 B&S PT-10
Re: So I shaved my beard.
Ah, maybe that explains it. No one has ever wanted to hear me play in that range, and likely never will.
Re: So I shaved my beard.
Yep. If anyone is implying or inferring that anyone should be able to play with a beard because this or that guy did, they're mistaken. I've spent close to 45 minutes per day in the last few months alone (with very rare exception) on long tones, concentrating in the extreme ranges. I could play the range, but the sound wasn't tight. Shaving absolutely was what I needed, and the beard was masking all of my work in that range.
Re: So I shaved my beard.
Sitting up. Taking notice. Thanks. Still shaving. Keeping jawline beard. Face needs at least partial hiding. JP/Sterling 377 Eb; 1914 Conn Monster Eb (my avatar), ca. 1905 Fillmore Bros 1/4-size Eb; Rudy Meinl 9 0.78 throat, Warburton "The Grail" T.G.4, Mr. P 6.4; for sale > Bach 42B trombone; recently retired from bass guitar after 44 years
Re: So I shaved my beard.Just shaved my beard, because my 3 year old said he didn't know what I looked like without it. Looking forward to playing without it... it's been a few years. I think I look 10 years younger without it. It's also going to be pretty cold in the Minnesota winter without a beard!
B&S GR-41
^ For sale! viewtopic.php?f=4&t=94739
Re: So I shaved my beard.Hey, bushy sideburns get in the way of my Cello playing as well!
Got to keep them trimmed. Charlie C. Chowder
Re: So I shaved my beard.
I am waiting for BlokeRazors® with handles made out of recycled Buescher parts.
Re: So I shaved my beard.I have always felt that playing beardless was my best bet.
Re: So I shaved my beard.It's the pits.
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Re: So I shaved my beard.The only facial hair I have is my goatee. The reason is only partially because I can play better without other facial hair. The main reason is because what facial hair I have left is so sparse that I cannot grow a full beard or moustache. The goatee is the only thing I can grow which will come in remotely full.
I'm just crazy about dementia.
BBb Helicon built by Harvey Hartman (for sale) Miraphone 496 York "Master" (pre-1961) Yamaha YBB-103 Conn 20K Sousaphone (no worky) Frank Holton Sousaphone (no valve cluster)
Re: So I shaved my beard.I could play just as well with a goatee, but - having looked in the mirror - I judge that I'm already quite ugly enough as it is.
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Re: So I shaved my beard.Anyone happen to know who this guy might be?
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Re: So I shaved my beard.How's he carry that thing on a Harley?
Steve
Lake Havasu Regional Orchestra (tuba/board/treasurer) Lake Havasu Symphonic Winds (board/treasurer)
Re: So I shaved my beard.When I played in college I had a beard, but not the mustache, for this very reason. Fellow students referred to me as "Abe", a reference to Abraham Lincoln.
Re: So I shaved my beard.I've had a mustache for pretty much my entire (chronologically) adult life. I use a beard/mustache trimmer at the lowest setting and trim back once a week. If I let it get any longer, I feel like a have issues with mouthpiece leaks. Since I "retired" from the Navy in 2008 I have had a beard or goatee but I shave the "soul patch" area. Fwiw, I have been using Braun electric razors.
Rudy Meinl 3/4 CC
F Besson French C Conn 88H Tenor BAC Elliott Mason Tenor Bach 50B Bass
Re: So I shaved my beard.
Whoever he is, he's not playing that tuba -- it has no valve paddles or linkages! B&S GR-41
^ For sale! viewtopic.php?f=4&t=94739
Re: So I shaved my beard.He's getting one custom made for him. He's about to show them where exactly that stuff should go.
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