🎵 BACKUN Vocalise Bb Mouthpiece — A Revolution from Hawkins × BACKUN

The BACKUN Vocalise Bb Mouthpiece is the result of a unique collaboration between legendary clarinet master Richard Hawkins and the innovative Canadian company Backun Musical Services. After decades of collecting, observing, and crafting mouthpieces for the world's finest artists, Hawkins has created a series that will change the course of mouthpiece history.

"It has long been my goal to create a clarinet mouthpiece that satisfies the nuances of change while preserving the history of the craft." — Richard Hawkins

Outstanding artist. Renowned educator. Master craftsman. Words and praise that are often bestowed upon Richard Hawkins. The Vocalise Series is designed for musicians of all ages and experience levels — from young artists to professional soloists. Each model (R, G, H) has its purpose, and all deserve a place in your clarinet case. Complex resonance at a reasonable price.

🔬 Manufacturing Technology — Precision to the Micron

Vocalise is designed at Backun using advanced CAD/CAM software and tested with 3D printing technology before production launch. The mouthpieces are crafted from hard rod rubber (premium-grade rod rubber) on a highly advanced 9-axis CNC machine and finished in a unique "done-in-one" machining program that combines milling and lathing processes without the need for a second setup or recalibration.

✔️ 9-axis CNC machining — the highest manufacturing precision (tolerance ±0.001 mm) ensures absolutely identical characteristics for each mouthpiece. Traditional handcrafted production yields variations up to ±0.1 mm, critically affecting response and intonation.

✔️ Done-in-one machining — revolutionary production technology where the entire mouthpiece is machined in one work cycle without repositioning the blank. This eliminates error accumulation from multiple setups and guarantees geometric accuracy of the chamber, rails, and tip opening.

✔️ Premium hard rod rubber — specially selected high-density rubber ensures exceptional dimensional stability across varying temperature and humidity conditions, excellent resonance, and durability exceeding 15 years with intensive use.

✔️ CAD/CAM design and 3D prototyping — each model was first created virtually, tested on a 3D printer, refined based on feedback from Richard Hawkins and top clarinetists, and only then launched into final production.

Result: an exceptionally consistent mouthpiece that stays true to the original Hawkins and BACKUN design from the first unit to the last.

🎶 Playing Characteristics — Perfect Control

Each Vocalise mouthpiece helps the player centre articulation, pitch, and altissimo with impeccable ease and consistency of voicing. It is the first mouthpiece of its kind specifically designed to play well on both synthetic and cane reeds, in strengths 2.5 to 4.5.

✔️ Compatibility with synthetic and cane reeds — innovative tip rail and table geometry allows the mouthpiece to work equally well with Légère, Forestone, D'Addario Reed (synthetic) and traditional Vandoren, D'Addario, Rico (cane). Most mouthpieces are optimized for only one reed type.

✔️ Articulation Management system — unique design concept allows musicians to capture the appropriate length of articulations for different styles (staccato, marcato, legato) without increased effort. The mouthpiece "understands" the performer's intent and responds naturally.

✔️ Centring articulation, pitch, and altissimo — perfect balance of resistance and freedom allows easy centring of every note, especially problematic ones (throat tones, transitions, altissimo). Intonation is stable across the entire range without need for embouchure compensation.

✔️ Two pitch levels: A=440 and A=442 Hz — when ordering, select the pitch level that suits your performance needs. A=440 Hz — standard concert pitch for most orchestras. A=442 Hz — higher tuning for European orchestras and chamber ensembles.

✔️ Consistency of sound — thanks to CNC production, every Vocalise mouthpiece plays identically. If you tested one G Model in a shop, your own G Model at home will play the same.

🎯 Mouthpiece Models — For Every Style and Performer

🔹 R Model Bb — Close/Short

Evenness and a focus of sound that sings with ease are two characteristics of this close facing mouthpiece. The R allows artists to articulate with reduced effort, while ringing true with fabulous clarity.

✔️ Ideal for: young artists stepping up to a more complex mouthpiece; conservatory students; musicians requiring precise articulation and control
✔️ Sound character: focused, clear, centred
✔️ Resistance: medium
✔️ Tip opening: close
✔️ Facing length: short
✔️ Recommended reeds: 2.5-3.5 (Vandoren Traditional, D'Addario Reserve, Légère Signature)

"This is Hawkins's choice for young artists looking to step up to a more complex mouthpiece." — Richard Hawkins

🔹 G Model Bb — Medium/Medium

A universal mouthpiece with medium facing that combines exceptional evenness and round tonal complexity. The G has a smoother influence on interval connections just where you need it. An all-around mouthpiece for those who prefer medium facings and lengths.

✔️ Ideal for: professional performers; orchestral players; educators; musicians seeking a versatile instrument for different styles
✔️ Sound character: balanced, round, warm
✔️ Resistance: medium+
✔️ Tip opening: medium
✔️ Facing length: medium
✔️ Recommended reeds: 3.0-4.0 (Vandoren V12, D'Addario Reserve Classic, Légère European Signature)

"The G Model is my personal choice for daily playing. It does everything right and never lets me down." — Professional orchestral clarinetist

🔹 H Model Bb — Open/Long

The most open facing in the lineup, the H is both smooth and dark, with ample cushion for those who need more robust flexibility throughout the registers. This mouthpiece gives as much as it takes, requiring balanced breath support and unyielding passion in performance.

✔️ Ideal for: professional soloists; jazz musicians; performers seeking maximum dark colour; musicians with strong embouchure
✔️ Sound character: dark, rich, powerful
✔️ Resistance: medium-high
✔️ Tip opening: open
✔️ Facing length: long
✔️ Recommended reeds: 3.5-4.5 (Vandoren V21, D'Addario Reserve Evolution, Légère European Cut)

"The H Model is a mouthpiece for those who know what they want. It demands control but gives incredible flexibility and colour." — Jazz clarinetist

📊 Technical Specifications

📦 Included

✔️ BACKUN Vocalise Bb Mouthpiece (selected model: R, G, or H)
✔️ Mouthpiece patch for protection and comfort
✔️ Official BACKUN warranty
✔️ Certificate of authenticity Richard Hawkins × BACKUN
⚠️ Ligature not included — we recommend BACKUN Vocalise Ligature, Rovner Dark, or BG Revelation for optimal compatibility

🎬 Videos and Comparison Chart

Watch the Vocalise Series video review:

BACKUN mouthpiece comparison chart:

Sound demonstration of different models:

🎯 Who Is Vocalise For

✔️ Conservatory and music college students — ideal step-up mouthpiece for serious study
✔️ Professional orchestral players — stability, consistency, and versatility for daily work
✔️ Music educators — reliable instrument that works with any reeds
✔️ Jazz musicians — H Model for dark, rich sound
✔️ Chamber performers — tonal flexibility and intonational stability
✔️ Musicians using synthetic reeds — the first mouthpiece optimized for Légère, Forestone, D'Addario Reed

🏭 About Richard Hawkins and BACKUN

Richard Hawkins is a legendary figure in the clarinet world. Outstanding performer, renowned educator (many of his students have become soloists in leading world orchestras), and master craftsman in mouthpiece making. After decades of working with the world's finest artists, collecting and studying thousands of mouthpieces, Hawkins partnered with Backun Musical Services to create a series that will change history.

Backun Musical Services (Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada) is a world leader in professional clarinet and accessory manufacturing. The company is known for its innovations: New Traditional, MoBa, Lumière barrels; Q Series, Protégé clarinets; and now — Vocalise mouthpieces by Hawkins.

The Hawkins × BACKUN collaboration combines decades of Hawkins's experience with BACKUN's cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. Result: mouthpieces that satisfy the world's most demanding musicians.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡 Reed Selection Tips for Vocalise

For R Model (Close/Short):
• Vandoren Traditional 2.5-3.0 — classic choice
• D'Addario Reserve Classic 3.0 — balanced tone
• Légère Signature 2.75-3.25 — synthetic with natural feel

For G Model (Medium/Medium):
• Vandoren V12 3.0-3.5 — rich, dark sound
• D'Addario Reserve Evolution 3.0-3.5+ — modern approach
• Légère European Signature 3.25-3.75 — European-type synthetic

For H Model (Open/Long):
• Vandoren V21 3.5-4.0 — universal profile
• D'Addario Reserve Evolution 3.5+-4.0+ — maximum flexibility
• Légère European Cut 3.75-4.0 — synthetic for dark sound

🚚 Shipping and Payment

✅ Free shipping across Ukraine from 4000 UAH
🚚 Nova Poshta — fast delivery 1-3 days across Ukraine
💳 Pay in installments — Monobank, PrivatBank (no overpayments)
💰 Cash and cashless payment
✅ Official warranty from BACKUN Musical Services
🔄 Exchange within 14 days (without signs of use)
🎵 Showroom testing — opportunity to test in Kyiv before purchase
🇨🇦 Made in Canada — original mouthpieces with official import

SoundsGood — official BACKUN dealer in Ukraine. We guarantee the authenticity of every mouthpiece and provide full after-purchase support. Our team consists of professional clarinetists and educators who will help with model selection, setup, and reed choice.

🎵 Order the BACKUN Vocalise mouthpiece at SoundsGood — experience the Hawkins × BACKUN difference! 🎶