---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/how-does-the-clarinet-differ-from-the-saxophone'
title: 'How does the clarinet differ from the saxophone?'
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  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-in/user/fdfe7927a034173f'
date: '2026-10-19T15:14:38+00:00'
type: website
summary: 'The clarinet has a mainly cylindrical bore and overblows at the twelfth, while the saxophone overblows at the octave.'
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# How does the clarinet differ from the saxophone?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 The **[clarinet](/instrument/clarinet)**'s bore is cylindrical for most of its length, about 14.6 to 14.9 mm across. It overblows at the twelfth, an octave and a fifth, while flutes and saxophones overblow at the octave, which is why it needs extra keys and linking mechanisms. Players name its registers chalumeau, throat, clarion and altissimo.



 

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