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Original poster

Autumn / Winter 24 - music thread

954 replies

northerngoldilocks · 02/09/2024 17:59

Feels like time for a new thread for the new school year!

Come and talk about music lessons, choosing instruments, exams, auditions, specialist schools, orchestras or whatever other music activities are going on. Everyone is welcome, from those with total beginners to those whose children are studying music at advanced levels. Ask for advice or share successes or struggles.

OP posts:
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PurpleStarrySocks · 02/09/2024 20:48

@minisnowballs Thank you for letting me know about the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme! 😊

PurpleStarrySocks · 02/09/2024 20:47

@northerngoldilocks
"Never has choosing a clarinet sounded more like buying a wand at Ollivanders..."

What a brilliant way of putting it!

PurpleStarrySocks · 02/09/2024 20:45

@MockCroc Thank you so much for your advice. We're thinking that this will most likely be DS's 'forever clarinet', so it's a big decision and as it's a significant investment, we want to try and get it right and not rush into it.

DS's teacher also recommended the Buffet R13 and gave me the details of a good second hand dealer (Paul Watski), who I've been in touch with. The second hand dealer is going to send us some clarinets to try. I thought we would really benefit from getting some advice from clarinet specialists as well, so we're going to Howarth on Saturday (a long way for us to go!) to try their clarinets. When your DD was trying the clarinets at Howarth, was the sound obviously different on the different models? Did she also try various different mouthpieces as well and what mouthpiece did she go for?

It's so lucky you managed to get a Buffet Festival for £1K less than at Howarth's!

minisnowballs · 02/09/2024 20:18

well done@northerngoldilocks - just marking my place here!