Does anyone find that they are playing in situations where the main dynamic level is ff or fff most of the time? I'm playing in a big band were the brass never come down from that loud dynamic level, even with background lines. Last night I played in a combo situation, same thing, it was mostly jazz and standards but the volume! Loud electric keyboard, bass and drums. You tell people to come down but then they are right back up. Is this the reason saxophone players seem to be on a a quest for larger and larger mouthpieces? I'm losing my hearing, I think it's a sign of the times. Over stimulation or something.