Again my friend, you have answered your own question. Your muscles are being used in an unfamiliar way so there is a period of readjustment. Just be sure to rest well and keep that magnifying glass handy.

Cheers.

That doesn’t sound good or normal, Rob, unless your Christmas Singalong was several hours long with intensely loud and high playing.

I suspect you’re manipulating your lips/face muscles too much.

My interpretation / understanding of WindWorks is that more relaxed, more natural, freer the better–the 1% rule. The more efficient we play, the less we fight the horn, the better, etc.

While I’ve occasionally gotten a little sore in the corners, especally after doing flexilibity studies / harmonic slurs, what you’re describing sounds unusual.

I have the same problem with cheeks jaws. I read research from pops on tensionless playing. His findings are that most professional players don’t strain the muscles in they’re cheeks instead it is focus on the embouchure corners and chin. The cheeks and jaw might move but only as a reflex. A heat diagram shows this clearly.

I think we might be using too much tension where it is not wanted.