If you're not fully satisfied you can return most purchases within 14 days of the delivery date. Customers are responsible for the cost of return shipping, and restocking fees apply to clarinets.
Vocalise Bass Clarinet Mouthpieces by Hawkins and Backun redefine what bass clarinet players and their instruments are capable of. Designed by renowned craftsman, Richard Hawkins, and precision machined from proprietary hard rubber at Backun, the four models personify the future of bass clarinet playing. Like all Vocalise Mouthpieces, the bass models are suitable for both synthetic and cane reeds, alike.
Note: Backun Vocalise Clarinet Mouthpieces are transitioning from a cork tenon to self-lubricating silicone O-Rings. During this transition period, customers may receive either version.
Meet the Vocalise Bass Mouthpiece
Comparison Chart
Vocalise mouthpiece
Features Gallery
Crafted from hard rod rubber
Designed to play well on both synthetic and cane reeds
Highly advanced nine-axis CNC machining and finishing
Includes mouthpiece patch for protection and comfort
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What makes the Vocalise Clarinet Mouthpiece special?
Product Reviews
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.9 / 5 from 38 reviews.
I wanted a Vocalise for my Q Bass and my store recommended the G I think because it’s the middle road between the R and H. I did not personally warm to the G and when I did some digging I felt the H was for me. Sure enough it was! I love the big mouthpiece that it is. It is open and long which suits my reed preferences and my embouchure. It’s a beautiful mouthpiece and I find it solid and balanced crossed all registers. It gives me all the confidence across the Q and it has a beautiful dark tone. I love it and it is one of my favorites for sure. It’s well made and fits perfect! Another win from Backun!
This is the one. I have a Fobes, too, which I really like, but I was seeking a little fatter and woodier tone and I would say I found it in the Vocalise H. It did require going down a half-strength in terms of reed hardness, at least temporarily. I think I will be back to my usual reed strength soon. Fortunately I have a pile of reeds of different strengths and brands and I have fun ahead of me searching for the Sound...
Store owner replied:
Thank you for choosing Backun, Kendall! If you have any questions about getting the most out of your new mouthpiece, please feel free to reach out to our team any time at sales@backunmusical.com.
I’ve been playing bass clarinet for 5 months and this mouthpiece brings my playing to a higher level. Very pleased. I also like the case. Great presentation.
Was using the Backun Protege mouthpiece that came with the bass clarinet I purchased from them last year but (which is a great mouthpiece!) but I had read a lot of good things about the vocalize G mouthpiece and wanted to try it out. Just played it and am not disappointed! Seems to me to provide a richer sound in the low register but plays easy and well across all registers. Playing with a Vandoren #3 reed as usual and am delighted with the sound. Thank you guys!!!
Store owner replied:
Thank you for choosing Backun, Charles!
I LOVE this mp. Best sound i’ve had yet. I’ve used a Buffet mp, a Grabner mp, and a vandoren B40. This is better than all of them, of course, everyone is different, but for me, it is a godsend. I have more confidence now without that ‘airy’ sound.
Success with bass clarinet is a problem with numerous variables. In almost a decade, I have resolved reeds (Legere French Cut), choice of instrument (Backun Q in cocobolo), but the mouthpiece has been the challenge.
Having tried almost more than I could count, including the Vocalise L, I finally tried the Vocalise G.
Where has it been all my life?
Immediate improvement, up and down the entire rage of the instrument. Great projection.
Thank you so much!
Great mouthpiece! I had been playing on a different brand/model since music school and had no plans to change, but I'm really glad I took the chance. My tone has massively improved and it's much easier to hit those high notes!
I've played a Zinner-blank Fobes for the past ten years on my Yamaha low C bass. Last November I had occasion to try the G and H facings of the Vocalise. I didn't think I was in the market for a new mouthpiece, but the Vocalise G quickly made a very favorable impression. That, combined with the very reasonable price, made buying it a no-brainer. It has a beautiful dark tone (The Fobes' is fairly bright, I've come to realize.) and smooooth playing feel. And articulation is really solid and secure in all registers. It's easy to play very lyrically, and I also have no worries about squawking when playing punchy, lower-register lines! I'm using Vandoren traditional 2½ reeds—same as I've used with the Fobes. Haven't tried Legeres on it yet.
I'd also add a vote for expanding the Vocalise line to include alto clarinet/basset horn, as I'm always seeking a darker, smoother sound on my Buffet basset horn.
Store owner replied:
Thank you for your wonderful review, Alan! We are so pleased to hear that you are loving your new Vocalise Bass Mouthpiece. We will certainly take note of your interest in alto/basset mouthpieces, so to stay up-to-date on any and all future product announcements, please be sure to subscribe to our email newsletter.
I mostly play on custom mouthpieces, including some Richard Hawkins mouthpieces. This mouthpiece has a good sound, and is comparable to the similar model for Bb clarinet. I hope they create a model for basset horn and alto clarinet, I would definitely buy it!
I am very pleased with the mouthpiece. It is noticeably easier to play in the clarion register than my current mouthpiece. I can also hear a richer tone.
I was struggling with a student bass clarinet on a generic mouthpiece, so I invested in a Vocalise G, which has become my preferred mouthpiece for the Bb clarinet because it combines ease of articulation with even intonation across the spectrum of notes. It's transformed my introduction to the bass clarinet, allowing me to enjoy my playing.
This mouthpiece is responsive & produces a lovely homogeneous sound in all registers. Legere reeds that have worked beautifully on my B flat & E flat clarinets work fine ,but are not as flexible as a VanDoran reed that I can adjust with a knife for this bass cl mouthpiece. I am still experimenting w Legere versus cane.
This is the 5th MP I've used on my Selmer Privilege bass clarinet and one of my favorites. It has a wider tip opening than my others so took a bit of tweaking my set-up --- a slightly softer Legere Signature reed and a different ligature --- but once I figured that all out, it sounds lovely. Fat, "chocalatey", flexible tone, Clean articulation. Good intonation up and down.
It has been amazing to play in the upper register with so much consistency! I’m still working out which ligature/reed combination I like but overall very happy!
Most bass clarinet mouthpieces that project get less than a desirable tone quality, while others that get a beautiful sound seem to lack the projection to compete with the brass projection. The Hawkins H is a wonderful bass clarinet mouthpiece that gets wonderful projection while getting a beautiful, characteristic bass clarinet sound. Beautiful in all registers of the instrument. Articulation is clear and precise.
At different I have enjoyed playing the Selmer C*, Selmer C**, Vandoren Black Diamond, Pomerico, MoBa, and CG. I loved all of them. The new Vocalise H bass clarinet mouthpiece will remain for a very, very, long time. Plays great on Silverstein Ambipoly bass clarinet and tenor saxophone 3.5 reeds and Vandoren V-12 3,5 reeds.
!
I never liked a mouthpiece Immediately, before, always takes a while to adjust.
But my new "G" Bass Mpc was comfortable right from the first note. It's "G"-ness was apparent right away.
NO rasp in lower Reg, just solid velvety smoothness. I have the Bb Model too.
I'm very happy with the sound and feel of this new Material they are made from. AND the reasonable Price!
You could have charged a lot more, and people would still buy them.
Kudos to Richard!
The Vocalise bass clarinet mouthpieces are a joy to play. The R is the mouthpiece I wish I had when playing the bass clarinet for the first time. It’s so even and controlled over the entire range. That said, the G model is my favourite one to play because of its’ consistent tone over the entire instrument. As a doubler, it checks all the boxes I need from a mouthpiece. It has a wonderful tone, it’s very responsive and it is flexible enough to play aggressively on a jazz or theatre gig, but still elegant enough to play my favourite classical pieces.
