The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Backun Vocalise mouthpieces

Author: Neckstrap
Date: 2021-08-14 00:12

I switched from the BD5 to the Vocalise over this summer. I have had good luck with the BD5 for the past 3 years but was looking for something to help broaden my sound -- especially to help with chirpiness/unwanted thinness in altissimo and upper clarion. I got all 4 facings of the vocalise during the Backun spring cleaning sale (figuring I would resell whatever I didn't want later) I was drawn to the G and have pretty much stuck to it as of late. I do find that the vocalise G seems less flexible to me than the BD5 was, but that has led to a nice hold on the sound. Personally I find the Vocalise G to be perfectly suited to play something like the Brahms quintet; and the 'poppy' articulation has made Paganini quite fun, though the vocalise seems to tire me out a bit more. I do want to put it out there that I think my BD5 mp may have been a bit worn and it was time for a new replacement anyways... I might go to a Vandoren showroom and get my hands on the whole BD series as I am curious about the BD4 to see how that compares. The real test on these mouthpieces will be once I can get back in the hall and play with an orchestra to see how they project. However, I know a few clarinetists that play on the vocalise mp's and you can hear them over the whole orchestra from the back of the hall, so it must be possible.

I used V12 size 4 reeds on the BD5 and vocalise mouthpieces. The reeds feel substantially heftier on the Vocalise G (though this could again be due to a worn out BD5 mouthpiece)

All in all, I would recommend both the vocalise G and the BD5. Really can't go wrong with either one as long as you put in the hours in the practice room and have a solid concept of sound that you are striving for.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics