Metal Allergies
Very few mouthpieces are made from "pure" metal. Brass is an alloy, a combination of copper and zinc. In mouthpiece brass small portions of other metals are added to allow smooth machining. For many players this soft brass causes no real allergic reaction; in others there is irritation. When plated with pure silver there is usually no allergic reaction. For a very small percentage even silver will cause allergic troubles.
As a commercial player for many years I unknowingly caused myself grief, using a plain brass mouthpiece. You might wonder just what kind of grief this might be. Because I always played on a plain brass Dell'Osa or Herrick mouthpiece, I did not realize that my lips were in a ongoing state of irritation. The irritation took the form of only slight reddening and swelling. But this was enough require VERY long warm-ups. This, combined with the increased blood circulation from playing, reduced responsiveness and flexibility. The allergic reaction did not exactly ruin my playing but caused many harrowing moments. Life could have been SO much easier had I known! If I can save you a bit of trouble, I will be all the happier!
In rare cases a player may be allergic to ANY metal, including gold plate. Fortunately we have materials like Lexan and Delrin which can be turned into screw-rims. These are hypo-allergenic space-age synthetics. They perform well in the place of brass, though they do not project sound as easily as brass. For players like the great Barry Tuckwell, synthetic rims are not a problem.
It is also possible to be allergic to artificial colors in toothpaste and mouthwashes; artificial sweeteners like Sorbitol and Aspartame. If you suspect that these are causing you grief, don't use them. Gel toothpastes can be culprits, as they were with Yours Truly. Acid indigestion can cause lips to swell. If this is a chronic problem, ask your doctor about ranitidine. As most people only use their lips for talking, eating and smiling a little swelling isn't noticed. For you, Dear Horn Player...little things can cause grief! I hope this is helpful!
Dr Moose BACK