Klarinet Archive - Posting 001344.txt from 1997/08

From: fgarcia@-----.edu (Frank Garcia)
Subj: Re: Allergic reaction- ligature
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 1997 08:46:52 -0400

Thanks for the all the suggestions thus far.

Since I am not a doctor, I would not be able to tell the difference between
an allergic reaction and contact dermatitis. My student does not practice
very much, perhaps a 1/2 to 1 hr per day. Her lip got very swollen and
discolored. Her allergy was suggested by her band director, who happens to
be a trumpet player. I assume hers was an allergic reaction because the
symptoms went away after she changed from a Bonade to a Rovner.

In my case, my lips are not swollen, they are irritated (but not to the
point of discomfort), and it looks like I have lip liner around my lips. My
lips don't hurt, they just look funny. Since my symptoms are less severe
than my students, I am thinking something else might be the problem. What
are the symptoms of contact dermatitis? Any remedies? I don't want to show
up at auditions looking like Tammy Faye Baker ;) It's a good thing I don't
play "ass clarinet" or I might really be in trouble!

At any rate, I will give Weiner a call about the silver plated Bonades. I
need a new one anyway. Mine broke two nights ago.

Frank Garcia

>The other option if you like the Bonade Ligature would be to get a Silver
>Plated one. The Clarinet section of the Vancouver Sym. switched to the
>Silver Bonade after Bill Jenkin (great Bass Clarinetist) tried mine at the
>Marcellus Festival in Nova Scotia. Fred Wiener sends them out for plating,
>and carries them at 800-622-2675. I now use a different ligature, but when
>I used the Bonade, I preferred the Silver Plating to the Nickel.
>Is it an allergic reaction, or contact dermatitis?