Yamaha YAC SHEWLEAD Bobby Shew Lead Trumpet mouthpiece

I used this mouthpiece in a Harmony Trumpet, most likely equivolent to a student horn. I have played this instrument for the fifth month now. I played trombone/tuba---23 years ago--long hiatus.

I used the 7c that came with the Harmony. No problems really for the time I have been playing trumpet. However, note above the treble clef were still tough to reach and I could not get that Louie Armstrong, Cat Anderson, Doc Cheatham, Harry James sound/tone/timbre. I figured, 'Well, they are pros and I am a beginner.'

Went in to the Sam Ash in Burbank, IL---complaining to all that would listen that I was still playing with great strain and sharp pitch above the treble clef. The counterman says, 'Try this one." It was the Yamaha Bobby Shew Lead Trumpet mouthpiece.

Have you ever heard of love at first feel? Well, by the second note of playing with this mouthpiece, I was blown away! I could not get the money out of my pocket and on the counter quick enough.

It has a more brilliant, pointed, brash, full-of-life 'in-your-face' tone while sacrificing no power. I actually had my ears ringing in the practice room after playing a few minutes. I am sharp no more above the treble clef. I hit high E for the first time in my life with this mouthpiece. High C I now play with ease and relaxation and not with lockjaw and rigamortis neck.

Reiteration--it is MUCH MUCH MUCH easier to play notes above the treble clef and much easier playing said notes in tune.

The Shew Lead mouthpiece make my Harmon Mute sing and buzz with more brilliance and power.

Though I am not as talanted as the pros I listed above, I at least have a sound/tone/tibre/amplitude closer to theirs. I have so much more fun playing now. Now, my trumpet sounds like a flugelhorn with the old 7c.

Counterintuitive---absolutely NO sacrifice in low notes. In fact, I don't run out of breath as quick when playing these notes as I was with the 7c. The notes are sizzling, as if you cranked the treble up with EQ on your stereo.

MUCH MUCH easier to play pp and ppp than the 7c. Can play ff and fff just as loud as the 7c.

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With only five hours on it so far, the only thing that concerns me is that the outer part of the center of my lips sting a bit after playing for more than 15 minutes. Maybe with more playing time with the mouthpiece, I will strengthen my lips so the sting will be no more. I don't feel like my lips are going to split---but the sting is more than just 'uncomfortable'.

Also, unlike the 7c, which is forgiving if you do not 'buzz' directly in the center of the cup, with this lead, you better 'buzz' in the center of the cup or you will splat like the juicy insects that hit your windshield at 60 mph..

Minimal flexibility issues. I could not hit notes with acceptable attack often below middle C directly after playing up high with the 7c anyway, so not being able to do that well either with the Bobby Shew is a wash.