An LT is a legit piece, and as sax shark said, is probably to small on the tip to do much with. But hang onto that mouthpiece, because it is very good for classical music. Buy a mouthpiece for jazz, that's the first step. Just start out on something like an Otto Link Tone Edge, or maybe a Meyer. I would go with the Tone Edge 6*, that's what I started out on in the 7th grade, and it carried me nearly half way through highschool. Now, onto bending... Don't do it yet. Spend a year with the jazz mouthpiece developing your sound before you corrupt yourself. But when you do, do it in moderation. If there's one thing I hate most, it is people who can't stop scooping. It just kills swing and style when you do that. When you do get to it, think about using your throat more than your jaw, so your tone doesn't go down with the pitch. You probably won't notice using your throat muscles much until you play on a jazz piece for a while...one day you'll just have an epiphany and it will dawn on you. Hope that was of someone help, it's late and I'm tired. ; )