The clarinet uses a single reed made of one piece of wood, while the oboe and bassoon use a double reed made of two pieces joined together. Just as with the stringed instruments, the smaller woodwinds play higher pitches while the longer and larger instruments play the lower notes.

Does a clarinet have one reed?

Although the clarinet and saxophone both have a single reed attached to their mouthpiece, the playing technique or embouchure is distinct from each other.

What instruments have double reeds?

The main musical instruments that use a double reed are the Oboe and the Bassoon. And there are others such as the Cor Anglais popularly known as the English horn and the contrabassoon that are bigger brothers of the oboe and bassoon respectively as well as some ancient instruments like the shawm and the racket.