Opinions of facial hair and trumpet playing

danny45635 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 01 Feb 2015 Posts: 508

Im certain this has been covered in another thread, but I figured I would start my own anyways. So for the last few weeks, I've noted when ever my facial hair got to a certain length, it started to drastically affect my playing (well at least I think it does). I would tire out quickly and my tone wouldn't be that great either. I would sound like I did in 8th grade (I'm in 11th now). Has anyone else had this experience?
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Brad361 · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 2:22 pm Post subject:

Nope, no difference for me whatsoever, with or without.

Brad
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Crazy Finn · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 2:27 pm Post subject:

The difference for me is that it starts to get a bit scratchy at some length. As far as trumpet playing, the difference is negligible for me.
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zackh411 · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 3:10 pm Post subject:

irrelevant
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kehaulani · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 4:38 pm Post subject:

Back in the day, there were some who thought that a moustache would add support to the chops but if you look at who plays with and without a moustache, it's obvious that it plays no part.

There might be some interference if upper lip hair grows so long that it covers the lip, but that's a different issue.
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danny45635 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 01 Feb 2015 Posts: 508

Maybe I just happened to have very bad playing days, and I happened to have whiskers all over my face. The reason why I came to that conclusion was when I shaved one time, my playing felt normal again. Maybe it's just me. Who knows. I'm used to being an oddball with my trumpet playing.
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kehaulani · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 6:04 pm Post subject:

gbshelbymi · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 6:05 pm Post subject:

I have a full beard (trimmed short) most of the time. I have no issue at all playing with a mustache. If the area under the center of my lower lip gets any length to it, my mouthpiece can slip, and I tire much quicker. So I will keep that area shaved, or at least cropped as closely as possible with my beard trimmer.
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danny45635 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 01 Feb 2015 Posts: 508

Crazy Finn · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 7:24 pm Post subject:

It's probably more a matter of what you're used to. If you've always played with a clean shaven face, then some facial hair will feel different and weird. If you've always had a beard and/or mustache, then clean shaven will be odd. If you vary as to your personal grooming (like me, I hate shaving, I also hate lots of facial hair) then it probably doesn't matter much.
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maguro73 · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 9:54 pm Post subject:

I'll echo sentiment, if I go too long without shaving I perceive it effects my playing.

cheiden · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 11:22 pm Post subject:

I need to trim right around the center of my lips or it hurts my playing.
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roynj · Heavyweight Member Joined: 19 Oct 2002 Posts: 2065

Donjon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Apr 2010 Posts: 567

I like facial hair, but big beards are just silly. Trumpet playing? I like trumpet playing.
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bach_again · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 8:12 am Post subject:

It's a personal thing.
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kehaulani · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 6:07 pm Post subject:

Dennis78 · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 3:26 am Post subject:

I have a big beard and mustache, like civil war era big and I have no problem. When I got back into playing I trimmed around my lips to help out but I hate trimming and shaving so that only lasted a little while. I've noticed no difference
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oldblow · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 4:58 am Post subject:

For practice, I can get by with an electric razor shave. But for performance, I use the brush, soap, blade, and much moisture to be baby-butt smooth. A mental glitch, I'm sure, because I see people like Tom Turner, Doc, and others who play with glorious displays on their faces.
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googanelli · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 5:32 am Post subject:

It ruins my playing to have facial hair. It's about 2-3 days and it's a mess. Last year was the first time in 35 years I grew an actual beard for November. I had a bunch of rehearsals and then concerts for December. It's a noticeable difference for me.

Joe
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Craig Swartz · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 6:08 am Post subject:

Why cultivate on one's face that which grows wild on one's ass?