Playing Cheeks hurt during playing in general

[Jp6]

Hello fellow Saxophone players, to give you some background on me and my playing so far, I have been playing since 4th grade and in my third year of highschool as an intermediate alto player. I've been consistently running into the problems of after prolonged pratice sessions or performances my cheeks will start to puff more and my embouchure starts to loose its tightness around my mouthpiece and air will slowly start "leaking" out from the sides of my mouth, which will make a audioable hissing sound. I have had this problem since the second year of highschool and have found no one else that has experienced my problems. Does anyone here a exercise or fix to this? Thanks in advance and sorry for any formatting or grammer issues because this was written on a phone pre concert!

 

[kevgermany]

It'd be nice if you sat Hi in the doorbell section.

First guess would be you're not relaxed and you're blowing hard.

 

[Jeanette]

my embouchure starts to loose its tightness around my mouthpiece and air will slowly start "leaking" out from the sides of my mouth, which will make a audioable hissing sound

I have that problem when my embouchure muscles start to get tired. Like any muscles you need to build endurance, try and play daily until you reach that point then stop. Over time you should be able to play for longer. Also ensure you are not trying too hard and biting as this will make it worse.

Jx

 

[Phil]

Just checking but what is your mouthpiece and reed setup?

 

[Ivan]

@Veggie Dave had a similar issue which is discussed here Reeds - Reed Question - From Vandoren To AN Other

 

[Ne0Wolf7]

It seems like an endurance issue. When I first started practicing for real, although my checks wouldn't puff, air did hiss out of my mouth and even through my nose on occasion when I became tired.
Do you practice regularly, and if so for how long how often?

 

[QWales]

I get this after intense playing too. I would guess that regularly playing long tones as part of your practice session may play a big part in curing this, although I can't say I've tested that theory.

 

[Phil]

Long tones are great but this just sounds like the guy is playing too hard of a setup. If fatigue sets in too fast its time to back off and work ones way up. Assuming of course, that he isnt playing a 1.5 reed on a C*.

Ive known a lot of young players who think they have to play a big tip and a heavy reed.
I dont know if this is the case but...