Air Columns And: Toneholes- Principles For Wind Instrument Design [top]

The clarinet overblows a 12th (×3 frequency) because the third harmonic is the first overtone present. The flute and saxophone overblow an octave (×2). Any cylindrical bore with a reed (like a hypothetical clarinet with a reed at both ends) would behave like an open-open tube—but that doesn't exist in nature.

Bart Hopkin Subject: Acoustics and Design Principles of Woodwind Instruments Status: Foundational text for instrument builders The clarinet overblows a 12th (×3 frequency) because