What is the primary sound profile of the Denis Wick 5BFL?

The 5BFL is designed to produce a dark, rounded, and full-bodied tone. It is described as having a soft, velvety character suitable for lyrical music.

How does the cup depth affect the playing experience?

The 5BFL features a medium-deep cup. This depth provides a rich sound, while its slightly shallower design compared to deep-cup models makes the higher register more manageable.

What is the benefit of the open backbore in this model?

The open backbore allows air to flow more freely through the mouthpiece. This results in a more responsive feel and helps notes speak with less effort from the player.

Is the 5BFL suitable for high-register playing?

Yes, the design specifically aims to improve ease in the upper register. The balance of cup depth and backbore helps maintain a consistent tone even in higher passages.

What material is used for the finish of this mouthpiece?

The Denis Wick Classic 5BFL is silver-plated. This provides a traditional look and feel preferred by many professional brass players.

What musical settings best suit the 5BFL?

It is highly recommended for lyrical solo work. Its warm and resonant tone also makes it suitable for brass bands and jazz settings where a traditional flugelhorn sound is required.

Does this mouthpiece offer good control?

Yes, the 5BFL is engineered to provide warmth and depth without sacrificing clarity or control. It is designed to be responsive across the entire range of the instrument.

How does the 5BFL compare to the Denis Wick Heritage series?

The Classic series, including the 5BFL, uses a traditional outer shape, whereas the Heritage series features a different weight distribution. Both are available for various horn types like Tenor Horns.

Is this mouthpiece compatible with a Roy Benson FH302?

Yes, the 5BFL is a flugelhorn mouthpiece and would typically be compatible with standard flugelhorns like the Roy Benson FH302 Silver Plated model.

What is the typical price for a new 5BFL?

The typical price for the Denis Wick Classic Flugel Horn 5BFL Silver Plated mouthpiece is approximately £71.00.

Why should a player choose the 5BFL over a standard trumpet mouthpiece?

Flugelhorns require a specific shank and deeper cup to achieve their characteristic mellow sound. The 5BFL provides the medium-deep cup necessary for this authentic flugelhorn tone.

Does the 5BFL help with note slotting?

By providing a responsive feel and improved ease in the upper register, the mouthpiece helps notes speak clearly and consistently across the instrument's range.

Gear article

Denis Wick Classic Flugel Horn Mouthpiece 5BFL Silver Plated

The Denis Wick Classic Flugel Horn 5BFL is a silver-plated mouthpiece designed to provide a dark, rounded tone for flugelhorn players. It features a medium-deep cup and an open backbore to balance lyrical warmth with technical responsiveness across the instrument's register.

See live prices

Overview

The Denis Wick Classic 5BFL is a specialized mouthpiece designed for the flugelhorn, catering to musicians who require a sophisticated, velvety sound. As part of the established Classic series by Denis Wick, this model is silver-plated and engineered to enhance the natural lyrical qualities of the instrument. It is particularly noted for its ability to produce a full-bodied tone suitable for brass bands, jazz ensembles, and solo performances.

Design and Key Features

The construction of the 5BFL focuses on the relationship between air flow and tonal depth. Key design elements include:

Medium-Deep Cup: This depth provides the necessary volume for a rich, dark sound while remaining slightly shallower than extreme deep-cup models to preserve flexibility.
Open Backbore: The interior geometry allows for free air flow, which reduces resistance and helps notes speak with less physical effort from the player.
Silver Plated Finish: A standard for professional mouthpieces, providing a comfortable feel and durable surface.

These features work in tandem to improve the ease of playing in the upper register while maintaining a consistent resonance throughout the lower and middle ranges.

Sound Character

The primary sonic characteristic of the 5BFL is its 'velvety' and 'rounded' nature. Unlike shallower mouthpieces that might produce a brighter, more trumpet-like piercing quality, the 5BFL emphasizes the flugelhorn's unique warmth. It provides a 'full-bodied' tone that is ideal for lyrical solo work, where expression and tonal beauty are paramount. Despite this depth, the design ensures that clarity and control are not sacrificed for warmth.

Target Audience

This mouthpiece is well-suited for players who find standard flugelhorn mouthpieces too bright or resistant. It is a strong choice for soloists performing melodic passages that require a soft, singing quality. Additionally, it serves players who need to bridge the gap between a rich sound and manageable response in higher passages, making it a versatile tool for both technical and expressive repertoire.

Comparisons and Related Equipment

Within the Denis Wick catalogue, the 5BFL sits alongside the Classic and Heritage series for other brass instruments, such as the Tenor Horn Mouthpiece 4 or 5. While tenor horn mouthpieces are designed for a different instrument's bore and range, they share the same silver-plated manufacturing standards. For those seeking an instrument to pair with the 5BFL, silver-plated options like the Roy Benson FH302 are common matches. In contrast to French Horn accessories like the Yamaha YHR671 or the PM3X Silent Brass system, the 5BFL is strictly dedicated to the specific shank and cup requirements of the flugelhorn.

Related gear

Frequently asked questions

What is the primary sound profile of the Denis Wick 5BFL?: The 5BFL is designed to produce a dark, rounded, and full-bodied tone. It is described as having a soft, velvety character suitable for lyrical music.
How does the cup depth affect the playing experience?: The 5BFL features a medium-deep cup. This depth provides a rich sound, while its slightly shallower design compared to deep-cup models makes the higher register more manageable.
What is the benefit of the open backbore in this model?: The open backbore allows air to flow more freely through the mouthpiece. This results in a more responsive feel and helps notes speak with less effort from the player.
Is the 5BFL suitable for high-register playing?: Yes, the design specifically aims to improve ease in the upper register. The balance of cup depth and backbore helps maintain a consistent tone even in higher passages.
What material is used for the finish of this mouthpiece?: The Denis Wick Classic 5BFL is silver-plated. This provides a traditional look and feel preferred by many professional brass players.
What musical settings best suit the 5BFL?: It is highly recommended for lyrical solo work. Its warm and resonant tone also makes it suitable for brass bands and jazz settings where a traditional flugelhorn sound is required.
Does this mouthpiece offer good control?: Yes, the 5BFL is engineered to provide warmth and depth without sacrificing clarity or control. It is designed to be responsive across the entire range of the instrument.
How does the 5BFL compare to the Denis Wick Heritage series?: The Classic series, including the 5BFL, uses a traditional outer shape, whereas the Heritage series features a different weight distribution. Both are available for various horn types like Tenor Horns.
Is this mouthpiece compatible with a Roy Benson FH302?: Yes, the 5BFL is a flugelhorn mouthpiece and would typically be compatible with standard flugelhorns like the Roy Benson FH302 Silver Plated model.
What is the typical price for a new 5BFL?: The typical price for the Denis Wick Classic Flugel Horn 5BFL Silver Plated mouthpiece is approximately £71.00.
Why should a player choose the 5BFL over a standard trumpet mouthpiece?: Flugelhorns require a specific shank and deeper cup to achieve their characteristic mellow sound. The 5BFL provides the medium-deep cup necessary for this authentic flugelhorn tone.
Does the 5BFL help with note slotting?: By providing a responsive feel and improved ease in the upper register, the mouthpiece helps notes speak clearly and consistently across the instrument's range.