Originally Posted by rowuk

Your legit chops will ALWAYS take a beating when playing serious lead. The only cure is continual development of your chops and breathing skills. Wait until you have played a dance gig on the big mouthpiece - THAT can be far worse and more damaging than having done the job efficiently. The same rim may help, if your chops don't fall into the shallow cup and stop producing tone entirely. Mine do, so I only use a smaller mouthpiece.