pipes/cigars

[Tenorsaxer]

does anybody find that smoking a pipe or cigar affects your playing? I know it would much less than cigarettes but does it affect it at all? and if so, how much?

[mostly alto guy]

Smoking a good cigar after a fine meal with friends has a positive effect on everything except your breath the next day. I don't see how it could harm your sax or your playing as long as you don't get the smoke inside the horn, and maybe that wouldn't hurt either, esp if you're going for that smokey, ballad sound.

[colibri]

Cigars are generally healthier than cigarettes, because they contains a lot less chemicals. It won't affect your lungs much since you would only inhale about 1/5 of the smoke that you suck into your mouth, unless you're a cigar newbie. I've never used a pipe for smoking, but I imagine it would taste a lot lighter, and less harmful substance goes into your lungs.

I smoke cigarettes (Moore or filterless Camel) and cigars (Tueros) and I haven't notice them affecting my playing. On the other hand, maybe if I didn't smoke I'd play a lot better. Who knows?