Facial hair and low brass
Originally posted by: RickF
Don't know about goatees, but I've had a mustache myself for many years. Doesn't bother me -- but I do keep my mustache trimmed from hanging over my upper lip too much.
Same here. When I restarted on euphonium a few years ago I had a full beard. The lower lip didn't seem to be a problem, but I had to keep the mustache trimmed above my upper lip. It wasn't anything as technical as a bad seal, just a bad "feel". Now I'm playing more tuba, and I've shaved the mustache off due to bad feel again (with the bigger mouthpiece). This might be one of those "whatever works for you" issues. In my case, it just didn't feel right with the mustache (if I was going to continue to play tuba) and I didn't love the mustache enough to fight with it.
--Frank
Frank Manola
Pan American Eb, Meinl Weston 20, Wessex "Solo" EEb, King 2341 tubas
Besson New Standard, TE 1150 compensating euphs
Park Street Brass
Old South UMC Brass & Organ, Reading MA
Wakefield Retired Men's Club Band
Windjammers Unlimited