| Joe,
When you switch to a mouthpiece like that from what you play you have to start off by playing lighter and acclimate that way. I wouldn't go in a try to blow the walls down at first. It's a "meeting' period where you have to get to know the sound of the mouthpiece relative to the sound the other mouthpiece creates. I'm going to bet you were playing harder than you needed to and the swelling you experienced is my first clue.
Spend the next few practices sessions, shows, rehearsals, whatever, playing a bit lighter and give your ear a chance to acquaint itself with the new sound and response.
ML |