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Irritation and humor.
During a week of vacation like this one I can boycott shaving. I let it all go for one whole week and see what happens.
Playing horn with a fuzzy lip however is unbearable. Even during vacation, I shave one small patch — a spot right between and a bit above the two crowning peaks of the upper lip — in order to keep playing comfortably.
Bristled hairs may look manly but inside the mouthpiece they irritate my vibrating lips – it feels like cactus needles.
Carefully shaving this small area helps prevents this irritation and any resulting swelling that can occur afterward. Not at all men need to do this, but I definitely must.
Even in my fuzzy-chin self-portrait above, my upper lip is clean. Click the image for a larger view … if you must.
5 New Year Resolutions, 2010
While shaving this little patch yesterday, a list of resolutions for the New Year came to mind.
In the tradition of New Year Resolutions, a list is tabulated. This list — whether written, oral or just in your head — functions like a benchmark. The New Year Resolution list is a quest for long-term self-improvement, for putting oneself on a better path.
In this spirit, I firmly pledge:
- To practice with more diligence and respect, the Kopprasch etudes (…except the long, boring ones).
- To clean my mouthpiece more often (…before the crispy critters begin to appear and multiply).
To respect conductors more and not criticize them as much (…unless they really deserve it).- To observe and implement conscientious intonation towards other musicians around me (…unless they are wrong, of course).
- To complain less about working conditions at music gigs (…only if they serve coffee and cookies).
Have a happy and prosperous New Year!
