This is a trumpet that reveals more acoustic colours as you become more used to it. I don't think it takes more air than any other Xeno trumpet, although if you aren't use to Yamaha horns you may think so. It is quite fussy with the mouthpiece you may wish to use. I changed the 14B4 it came with for the Yamaha 14A4a and it opened it up completely - although I now continuously use a Monette B2S3 mouthpiece which suits it well, for Blues Improvising, Latin Jazz and Big band. I have owned two 8310Z's previously and this very different. This is way more versatile and easier to find your own 'Trumpet voice' with. I used it recently with a Solo-tone mute for the of Chicago stage music production and it was fantastic. This is an extremely capable horn and excellent value.