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Why I need to analyse some more to find my real wardrobe holes

Astrid

Veteran

I decided a few days ago that I wanted to start with clarinet lessons again and wrote to my local music school on friday to ask if they had capacity available. I haven't played for six years and will have to start from scratch, but I hope it will come back to me. I don't have an instrument anymore, but my parents and grandparents would help me finance it as a combination of my next birthday and Christmas present. But I'll have to pay the lessons myself and that money will come out of my clothing budget.

So I really need to think some more about which things are really useful for my style, wardrobe and climate. I feel like I need to analyse and sort my closet some more to really identify my wardrobe holes, to make sure I only buy workhorses. I'm not sure how to go about that yet, but I'll post some more about in the future, I guess.

Do any of you play the clarinet? Or another instrument?

And just for fun, going with Angie's post about laughter lines - laughing on the clarinet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?.....re=related

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20 replies

Latest reply was from ManidipaM

cheryl

Veteran

Good for you for doing something again that you enjoy. I took clarinet lessons in elementary school and then played the bassoon in junior high. I miss it every time I hear one in a song.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Cheryl! I've always regretted that I stopped playing. And I thought that if I didn't start again now, I would probably never do it. I have the time for it now. The bassoon is cool!

Scarlet

Veteran

You seem to do a really good job of analyzing your wardrobe and making capsules, so I am sure you can make this work too. I can't believe you made it through last winter though without a warm winter coat. We have got to find you one! You also mentioned I think wanting a second pair of boots. That sounds like a good priority too, given the weather.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Scarlet! Although I'm wearing some items very often and some almost never, I think that could still be optimized. I had a warm coat, that would have been crazy without one. But this coat is really not all that fab and worn out. I wore it five or six winters now I think and it's really ready for the garbage. And the boots (or booties) are important as well, I agree. I want something with a good sole for snow and ice, warm and sturdy.

Tanya

Veteran

I do not play any istrument, but I do a lot of ballroom dancing, and the lessons and practices are very expensive. I am currently taking an involuntary break from it so have been shopping a bit. But throughout most of the past two years when I did a lot of dancing, I was pretty much on SYC as I could not afford both. So I completely understand your situation.

I guess I would start from accessing your climate/ major wardrobe hole needs, sucj as the coat that has been mentioned.

fern

Veteran

Astrid, that is exciting and a very good reason to be more stringent with your budget.
I did play clarinet when I was younger, but for my next instrument I want to learn guitar. I like to sing along, which was always the problem with the clarinet. But I am very glad I had music & music theory lessons when I was younger!
Do you want to play with a group or just on your own?

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I used to play clarinet for years in school. I lost my original clarinet (or family passed it on) so I bought a $15 one at a garage sale several years ago and DH repadded it. I get it out every once in a while to play. Lately I've been playing piano more, teaching myself. I like the piano so I can sing along. In private. lol.

Astrid

Veteran

Tanya, my best friend does ballroom dancing too and I know how expensive it is because she always has to figure put a way how to pay for it all (as a student)! She just had to get a new dress and although she bought it second hand it was soo expensive. You're right about considering the climate first, the thing I need most from the list I posted is definitely the coat.

Thanks fern! I'm looking forward to it too. I only hope that I don't have to wait too long before I can start. I know that they have waiting lists for some instruments, not sure if that's also the case for the clarinet. I hope they'll answer soon! Guitar is very nice too, and obviously perfect for singing along. I can't sing at all (and don't do it often), so that's not an issue for me. You're right, I'm glad about my lessons too. I also played the violin for three years, but mostly because my mum wanted me to try it (she and my sister play the violin and my father play the cello). I want to start with one-to-one lessons, I think I'll need some time to get to a level where I can play in a group. But I definitely want to! I played in a youth orchestra before I stopped.

Texstyle, that's interesting. So many who played clarinet in the past! And a clarinet for 15$, how's the sound? I still regret that we sold my old one (it was quite expensive). Love the piano too, my sister started to play it as a second instrument next to the violin two years ago, she's really good at it and a fast learner.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Good for you! I'ts too easy to forget about things we loved in the past.... I would get what you really need (winter coat, boots, etc) and SYC for the rest. Ive always wanted to learn how to play the cello, myself. Wishing you the best of luck!

Keix

Veteran

I am (well, was) a clarinet player! I played for 10 years through the end of high school, with private lessons for the second half of those years, but stopped in college. It's a great instrument, but I always liked music more than it liked me (no natural talent for it, although I was much better at clarinet than my other instrument, piano). If I were to pick up an instrument again, I think I'd try my hand at flute.

What kind of instrument are you planning to purchase? I will probably keep my Buffet E11 forever, but before that, I achieved decent competition results on my beginner plastic clarinet with a decent mouthpiece and reeds.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

How exciting Astrid, to return to an instrument you obviously love! These sorts of pursuits are always so fulfilling. I play both the flute and the piano and haven't played the flute actively for about 5 years but have been thinking alot lately of picking it back up. Perhaps you will inspire me!

Jonesy

Veteran

That's so wonderful, Astrid! My daughter has started playing the cello and really loves it, and I can only hope that she will want to stick with it through adulthood. A well-rounded life, and one with music in it, is a happy life in my book :). I think you have a well-rounded wardrobe right now, and I can totally see you making this work with no problem!

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks BM! That would probably be a good plan of action. I think I'll have another in depth look through my closet and will then decide what things I still need. Other than that, SYC sounds like a good idea. I just can't do it 100%, I still need a few things.

KL, it comes fairly easy to me, although I'm not a complete natural. For my sister it's really easy, for me not as much. I'm not sure yet what I want to purchase. I'll ask the teacher to help me with it, they always get them cheaper too. I definitely want a good instrument, because I'm not a total beginner (although I'll probably feel that way at first). And I want to keep playing the one I buy now. I've read up a bit and I've come across the Buffet E11. I think it's a clarinet with the Boehm system? Most people here play a clarinet with the Oehler system, simply because most clarinet teachers play it and it's tradition. My last one was a Yamaha.

Astrid

Veteran

Shannon, it would be great if I'd be able to inspire you to play again.

Jonesy, I hope your daughter sticks with it! And if not, maybe she'll start again someday like me. I stopped playing in my teens because I was in that "can't be bothered" phase. I think if we hadn't sold my clarinet I would've started to play again earlier. And you're so right, music definitely contributes to a well- rounded life. I also think that I'm at a good place with my wardrobe. And I'll still be able to buy some things, just not as much as I've bought in the last year.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, my $15 bargain is plastic (at least I think) but still produces an acceptable sound for my needs. I figured if I really got into it again I'd splurge on a better one but that didn't happen. I have seen better ones for about $75 on the used market. Garage sales right when school ends often turn up a few.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, this is wonderful. I'm so pleased you are doing this. I used to play piano and have thought I would like to return to it, or to singing, which I also love. Maybe you'll be my inspiration!

I think you do a great job of thinking through your wardrobe already, but with this motivation, you are going to get even smarter in your shopping!

ManidipaM

Veteran

That is so inspirational, Astrid!

I'm wondering about SYC again (already!) myself... to resume German studies! All I can say is of all the reasons I've SYCed, this is the only I can't say I resent even a teensy bit.

Pursuits that give you joy are SO worth it, even if you dress the same every other day for a month...or three! So yes, like everyone else, I guess I'm advocating you find and fill the most practical holes first, and leave room to scatter other purchases through the SYC/SYB period ahead so you don't get too frustrated or bored?

Astrid

Veteran

Texstyle, that's sensible, to wait if you get into it again before you pay more. I plan to borrow one in the beginning, the music school lends them for 5€ a month or so. At least until Christmas.

Thanks Suz. I love to listen to the Piano, I think it's a great instrument. I always listen to my sister practicing when I'm home. And I hope I will, with regard to my shopping! But I hope you'll all help me to keep in line.

Thanks Manidipa! Good to see you again. I didn't know you did German studies, that's awesome! Are you good at speaking it? I learned Norwegian, but I'm best at reading it, understanding spoken language and speaking not so much. And you're right, dressing the same is totally worth it. And I like a small wardrobe anyway, I never had a problem with repeating my outfits. That's good advice, I think I'll try to find some things in the next weeks before I start doing SYB. I don't think SYC is a good idea or really necessary, but a smaller budget for clothes I decided on for myself might work just fine.

lyn67

Veteran

I was playing on the piano when a child but -thus as a hard of hearing adult was hard to stick with it-but my brother is a real talent, still entertain us on parties or family gatherings. DD started with piano for a few years but then suddenly switched to guitar-I guess she was powerfully influenced by her favourites rock bands..as she is only 14,5now:-).

ManidipaM

Veteran

Ich spreche nur ein bisschen Deutsch, aber schreibe vielleicht ein wenig besser! I've just done the basic foundation course as yet---not very far along at all. But I do find it easier to read than construct my own sentences. It helps that there is a lot of similarity with the earlier stages of English (Old English especially); French would likely have murdered me long before now.

Now looking forward to your hole-plugging adventure!