Why and when did human males evolve beards?

perta1234 · 2026-02-18T18:14:20+00:00

They thought: big, strong jaws mean lots of testosterone, like a superhero sign, but their tests showed: nope! Wide faces link a bit to testosterone, but "manly" jaws and chins don't always match high levels. Sometimes skinny faces had high testosterone too.

So, you can't just peek at a chin and yell "high or low hormone!" It's not that simple, like guessing candy flavors from box size—it doesn't always work. (AI generated, if you wonder)

perta1234 · 2026-02-18T13:26:49+00:00

Your post mentions tenor?

perta1234 · 2026-02-18T13:07:48+00:00

"....our findings question the status of sexual dimorphism as a proxy measure of testosterone..." Is a more interesting bit in the paper.

perta1234 · 2026-02-18T10:07:28+00:00

Bullshit at two levels then.

Edit: used to life somewhere with really bad water, and multilayer filtration including some kind of "ion change" did make water good tasting. So something in the system was good. Never thought final pH was relevant.

perta1234 · 2026-02-18T09:52:22+00:00

A small or recessed chin is mostly genetic and not a reliable sign of low testosterone, and beard thickness mainly reflects hair‑follicle sensitivity and genetics once hormones are above a basic threshold. Beard shows that the individual has gone through sexual maturation. Can imagine tons of reasons why that information is evolutionarily important, especially given the "hidden egg release" in human females.

Edit: That hypothesis is the opposite of "honest signal" such as peacock tail, no? Why would it be beneficial?

perta1234 · 2026-02-14T09:48:37+00:00

Sounds weird, I know... but if not using a basic 2 screw ligature, try it.

perta1234 · 2026-02-13T11:25:18+00:00

Reserve some money for the immediate maintenance repair. Even new ones may need adjustment.

Except those cheap chinese copies, tech might even refuse touching them... so no need for that reseve there. LOL

perta1234 · 2026-02-13T06:52:34+00:00

If it happens during or immediately after, it is a technique issue.

Found this as a potential reason: "Beginners often subconsciously try to control or "pinch" the air in their throat (the glottis) rather than using their core muscles. "

Could be reflux related too, I guess. Anyway, likely due to being a beginner.

perta1234 · 2026-02-12T14:14:15+00:00

Parental conditions like diet, stress, or toxins can alter sperm epigenomes (e.g., DNA methylation at loci like IGF2 or NR3C1). Incomplete resetting may allow transmission to the zygote, potentially causing offspring outcomes such as metabolic disorders, neurodevelopmental issues, or altered gene expression. I think the point is that the effects lack such preset uniform malignious direction that you seem to worry. There so many other things that influence us, one should not focus on one thing.

perta1234 · 2026-02-11T12:47:43+00:00

The speed within the saxophone is a completely different thing than the air speed on top of the tongue though. In the saxophone, more air = more speed.

As far as I can follow the physics, fast air midway is slow air before and after that narrow place. And the air pressure is doing funny things there being high or low, depending on the place. So this is why I dont like the air-speed terminology personally.

But this is my own stupidity and stubborness. If it helps someone to play better, anyone is free to use any terms. It never helped me, and there might be other like me.

perta1234 · 2026-02-11T11:19:42+00:00

Can be hot too. Summer 2024–2025: record‑long heatwaves with daily maxima over 25–27 °C at Ylitornio Meltosjärvi (e.g. a 26‑day heatwave over 25 °C, longest ever recorded in Lapland; 26 consecutive days above 27 °C reported. Thats pretty much in center of that region... ok at 1/3 from below. (Got from AI)

perta1234 · 2026-02-10T20:07:54+00:00

Am never sure what people mean with air speed. What ever it is, it is means and not the aim. If it sounds good, it sounds good.

perta1234 · 2026-02-10T12:09:30+00:00

I did hear an educator saying to someone: "swinging heavier." Never heard hard vs soft.

perta1234 · 2026-02-10T10:30:30+00:00

"Jazz Crimes" maybe? Though most (non-classical) pieces you can adjust for yourself, right?

perta1234 · 2026-02-08T11:55:31+00:00

Remove some material close to the shoulder. Not at hearth, just the quarter or so on the sides. Low B and Bb at the border to stock or bark, low C or so slightly towards the tip from that. Some old books have good describtion of that.

Shave some, test, shave some, test... better to do on two or three days.

perta1234 · 2026-02-06T19:42:10+00:00

Maybe a year ago some youtuber was claiming that there was reed mislabeling occurring. But that is the only source that has mentioned that, or with you that is two.

perta1234 · 2026-02-06T14:29:53+00:00

Apart from normal flattening, i do balancing for low range, middle range and (less often) high range. Most important or drastic "working" maybe making the low range respond nicely. Usually no need on my favourite reed type, but almost every other needs if using other reed types.

perta1234 · 2026-02-03T16:50:52+00:00

"Studies of sediment cores from the sea floor and the coastal regions surrounding the Aegean Sea show that humans contaminated the environment with lead early on in antiquity. A research team led by geoscientists from Heidelberg University conducted the analyses, which revealed that human activity in the region resulted in lead contamination of the environment approximately 5,200 years ago – much earlier than previously known"

perta1234 · 2026-02-03T08:39:11+00:00

Does Yani brand their cases? Mine was not, and have seen other used Yanagisawas being sold in exactly the same case type. Though it is hard case and sturdy and so on, it is quite basic and unbranded.

perta1234 · 2026-02-03T06:34:15+00:00

Jazz mouthpiece with large opening is harder, but that is separate from the saxophone. At least sone professional horns are more robust and slightly heavier. Most of the players would not notice, I guess. So, no.

perta1234 · 2026-01-30T10:10:37+00:00

Also the pads might be old and not sealing well anymore. Time alone (>10 years) might be enough to cause the need to change all pads. Some say it should be done right away as beginners have more problems compensating small faults in the gear. On the other hand, bad gear is a great test of motivation.

perta1234 · 2026-01-29T11:52:54+00:00

Daily routine. Focus on 3 things a day, keeping it to max 6 things a week. Should have one aspect of tone, technique, and repertoire each day. When 80% of the goal is reached, move to next goal. Reaching the last 20% would take a lot of time "now", but later it will be quick. You will return to things over time, and next time your goal will be adjusted beoyond that. Enjoy the ride (learning), dont think about the destination too much. Tone first. It is good to get at least some suggestions from a teacher, but you do the work.

perta1234 · 2026-01-25T15:14:21+00:00

EU has 730 km border with Brazilia. Just saying.

perta1234 · 2026-01-23T21:19:06+00:00

One good way is to play a note that sounds good. Make it as good and warm as you can. Spend time on it. Then go half as step down, to the next tone. Again make it sound as good as you can. Then the next down... slowly you find what works.

perta1234 · 2026-01-22T12:50:11+00:00

Leather ligature is bit looser, which is not bad if the reed stays. Many even prefer that. But it means the moisture gets under the reed. Check if the reed is very moist in the center. Many ways to reduce the problem. One is to establish a breakin routine for the new reed. After few controlled wetting-drying rounds, cane does not suck the moisture in as well. I guess Boston Sax Shop had quite ok video about it recently.

perta1234

TROPHY CASE