Klarinet Archive - Posting 000124.txt from 1996/04

From: Michael D Moors - Alpena <mdmoors@-----.US>
Subj: Re: Death by clarinet!
Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 16:49:14 -0500

After a few days of the listerve being down there is sure much mail coming
in today. It is nice to have things back to normal.

This is no great revelation but I had the same thing happen as Jacqueline
Eastwood. I lost my cork off of my thumb rest, my thumb not only had
a big callous but turned green. I solved both problems by going to the
drug store and buying some surgical tubing to put on my thumb rest. I
have noticed that student model Buffets have plastic thumb rests which
would be great if a person prefers the hard feel.

On a slightly different topic: I have had flute players get a black mark
under their lip from the head joint. I have also worried about brass
players with plating off of their mouthpiece, fearing lead poisoning.
Are these concerns to be taken seriously????

BTW, I have recently had the honor of being asked to speak at the
Midwestern Conference in Ann Arbor. I am not only honored but SCARED!!!!

Happy Easter,

Michael Moors

On Thu, 4 Apr 1996, Scott D. Morrow wrote:

> >Any of you chemistry people out there want to try your hand at metallurgy?
> >
> >I have been playing for several years now with an uncorked (bare metal)
> >thumbrest. I found that I simply preferred it - it holds better and is
> >not uncomfortable for me in the least.
> >
> >The downside is that it turns my thumb a truly amazing shade of bright
> >green. Someone noticed this and said that the metal was probably
> >penetrating my skin and that I would get blood poisoning and die. I'm
> >quite serious about this - no belated April Fool's for me! Is this
> >tarnish potentially harmful? The metal itself is pinkish in color so I
> >would assume it's copper-based.
> >
> >What think you, oh wise science-type guys?
> >
> >Jacqueline Eastwood
> >University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
> >eastwooj@-----.edu
>
>
> It certainly sounds like copper! Copper oxidizes to a nice green (that's
> why the Statue of Liberty is the colour it is!). My qualified guess is
> that the oxide is just rubbing off onto your thumb, and that you shouldn't
> worry about getting poisoned through your skin (I'll leave THAT analysis to
> the doctors on this list!), though I WOULD suggest you wash your hands
> before eating after playing!
>
> -Scott
>
> Scott D. Morrow
> Department of Biochemistry
> School of Hygiene and Public Health
> Johns Hopkins University
> (410)-955-3631
>
> SDM@-----.edu
>