Making a serious go and improving my flute playing...

Jayhawk · Post by **Jayhawk** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 12:15 pm

...so I've decided to grow a flute beard. Any advice on style or length to maximize my playing ability (ITM primarily), would be great appreciated. Right now, I'm on 3 days stubble and have only notice a slight improvement in my playing (not related, of course, to my recent increase in practice time).

Eric

MikeC · Post by **MikeC** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 12:29 pm

I too have started a flute beard. Mine has been growing about a month, and I've noticed some profound changes. Firstly, it makes me look older which has definitely improved my machismo which of course makes me play better. My new found masculinity allowed me to me take up yoga, which has improved my breathing and playing.

So from one month in my advice is to hang in there and let the beard take you where it may!

MC

Congratulations · Post by **Congratulations** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 12:35 pm

I have thought of growing a flute beard, but I hate facial hair, so it's difficult. I guess I'll never be a worthwhile flute player.

JS · Post by JS » Sun Dec 03, 2006 12:47 pm

As J.P Donleavy wrote somewhere, the correct response to questons about why you're growing a beard is, "I'm not doing anything; you're shaving every day." And of course it's those extra minutes saved for practicing that make the real difference, eh? (For the record, I prefer close cropped for music & general appearance, though I've gone in the other direction without notable change in either.)

Sillydill · Post by **Sillydill** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 12:48 pm

I know a man with a beard that grows and grows and grows.
He never wears no clothes.
He just wraps his hair,
around his bare,
and down the road he goes!

Shel Silverstein

Unseen122 · Post by **Unseen122** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 2:28 pm

I too am growing a beard, but not for the specific purpose of a Flute beard. It should improve my playing anyway.

KateG · Post by **KateG** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 2:56 pm

Of course, there are those of us for whom growing a beard is not an option. But then, our flute playing is already so sublime we don't need such aids

Jon C. · Post by **Jon C.** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:03 pm

A am going to let my ear hair grow, I think that will help...

crookedtune · Post by **crookedtune** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:17 pm

Jon, is that really a cat in a bodhran, or is it just a round cow?

Beards are good for flute playing. Dangerous with chromatic harmonicas and slide trombones, though. Go for it.

flutey1 · Post by **flutey1** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:26 pm

KateG wrote:Of course, there are those of us for whom growing a beard is not an option. But then, our flute playing is already so sublime we don't need such aids

I could go along with that

cheers,
Sara

chas · Post by **chas** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:46 pm

From my POV, it doesn't matter as long as you have the little thing below the middle of the lower lip (I've heard it called a "J", although I think there is a technical term for it). If you sweat a lot, as I do, it provides a little extra friction, plus I've found it slows the development of "unsightly stains" around the embouchure hole of boxwood. I keep the J in the summer, full beard only in the winter. A hot vs. cold thing.

Congratulations · Post by **Congratulations** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:51 pm

chas wrote:the little thing below the middle of the lower lip (I've heard it called a "J", although I think there is a technical term for it)

"Soul Patch"?

Post by **Nanohedron** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 5:17 pm

Congratulations wrote:
chas wrote:the little thing below the middle of the lower lip (I've heard it called a "J", although I think there is a technical term for it)
"Soul Patch"?

Also called a "Dweezil" by some, apparently, although I've never heard it, nor "J". But I have it on best authority from Patrick Olwell (we were discussing quick-and-dirty solutions to my then-new blackwood allergy), and who am I to doubt him?

chas · Post by **chas** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:09 pm

Nanohedron wrote:
Congratulations wrote:
chas wrote:the little thing below the middle of the lower lip (I've heard it called a "J", although I think there is a technical term for it)
"Soul Patch"?
Also called a "Dweezil" by some, apparently, although I've never heard it, nor "J". But I have it on best authority from Patrick Olwell (we were discussing quick-and-dirty solutions to my then-new blackwood allergy), and who am I to doubt him?

Dweezil works for me. Although didn't Frank have one first? Maybe we could just call it a Zappa.

Post by **Nanohedron** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:18 pm

chas wrote:
Nanohedron wrote:
Congratulations wrote: "Soul Patch"?
Also called a "Dweezil" by some, apparently, although I've never heard it, nor "J". But I have it on best authority from Patrick Olwell (we were discussing quick-and-dirty solutions to my then-new blackwood allergy), and who am I to doubt him?
Dweezil works for me. Although didn't Frank have one first? Maybe we could just call it a Zappa.

A Zappa:

(:^[I-)

A Dweezil (or Soul Patch or J):

(:^I-)