difference between alto clarinet and alto sax

[jjessdancer]

I am thinking of becoming a sax player but have been on clarinet can someone tell me some of the things that will change thanks to whoever replys! :D ~jjessdancer

[otomah]

1. sax is much easier blowing
2. a cheap clarinet can sound a lot better than a cheap sax, but there are good saxes to be had at good prices - proceed with caution.
3. playing the low notes on a sax (especially softly) is much more difficult for a beginner - hang in there, you'll get it in time.
4. saxes need adjustment and repair more frequently than clarinets - see note #3. A horn that leaks is even tougher to play
5. a sax is much more forgiving of hand/finger position. The sax players who try to pickup clarinet will struggle more than you going to sax.
6. playing sax is way fun - but then so is clarinet
:D
7. sax players are more into equipment - lots of horns, lots of mouthpieces. That perfect sound is just a new ligature away! :wink:
8. learning the figuring is easier - wow same fingering for two octives :o