<p>@alwaysleah</p>
<p>Maybe on a surface level most wind instruments are fairly similar. But playing, say clarinet, then switching to flute wont be good for your embouchure. Clarinet doesn’t do vibrato, flute does. Embouchures are totally different, different fingerings, different techniques. There’s a reason most professional musicians don’t play six instruments. If OP doesn’t think there’s enough time, then dropping an instrument would 1. give more time and 2. allow greater study (and quality of play) for the other instruments.</p>
<p>Yes obviously some people (most actually) play just for fun or enjoyment. But being overworked and stressed out takes out a lot of fun from life. OP would have more time to enjoy the favorite instruments than juggling too many.</p>
<p>It’s not a poor reflection on the OP, it’s just common sense and from personal experience. I’ve played many instruments. Proficient on at least 7. Been principal in several top youth symphonies on multiple instruments, marched in the Rose Parade with another different instrument, and won/placed at music competitions on multiple instruments. There’s not enough time to be the best you can when you’re splitting your time. For me, the better I am the more fun I have playing. While obviously the OP might not want anything more than fun from music, if the OP is stressed dropping an instrument seems like a logical step and in the long run will improve the OPs playing on the remaining instruments. I’ve dropped some instruments and it takes a load of stress off. Instead of wondering “how am I going to keep doing all this” you get more time to yourself to do other things or focus on what you want to. While I didn’t want to make the choice, it’s been beneficial in the long run.</p>
<p>You don’t have to tell me about embouchures lulz. I know what they are. And they aren’t totally different fingerings, btw. Flute/sax have the same (I’ve played both). Sax and clarinet are the same in the upper register. Oboe and clarinet are very similar. But that’s not the point. </p>
<p>Honestly, the main thing I’m trying to say is that there a reason that people choose to play an instrument. I know the positives and negatives of multiple instruments. I just think it’s stupid to tell someone to drop an instrument. That’s obviously a personal choice.</p>
<p>Sure flute and sax have some similar fingerings, but they are not the same. Lol I’ve also played both. Altissimo notes on saxophone and low notes are quite different. Just SOME notes in the middle have similar fingerings. Flute vs bassoon? Clarinet vs flute? The fingerings are completely different. But fingerings are such a minor part of playing an instrument. If all it took was memorizing fingerings then doing multiple wouldn’t be a problem. But playing oboe will damage your flute embouchure. Spending time practicing one instrument takes away from how much you practice another, and, more importantly, time you could spend on other areas if you were pressed for time.</p>
<p>The main thing I’m trying to say is that while there may be a reason to play multiple instruments, if someone is stressed out and struggling to keep up, dropping an instrument is a logical solution. Obviously it’s a personal choice, but given the situation I’m offering the OP advice based on personal experience and logical reasoning. Honestly, whether or not you agree with me isn’t my concern. OP asked a question and I’m answering it.</p>
<p>Okay, I’m just taking 5 APs next year, 1-2 SAT2, SAT, etc and I completely lost all hobbies. I feel terrible. Like when I’m bored I log onto facebook or CC (sad life. I know -.-).</p>
<p>I NEED TO GET A LIFE AND FIND HOBBIES. What are some ideas?</p>
<p>Music, community service, sports, art, join a club you’re interested in, tutor struggling kids, get a part time job, anything you’ve wanted to pursue.</p>
<p>Supposed to finish a biology textbook before school starts so I can get ahead… I’m ten LONG chapters behind.</p>
<p>LOL I’m so sorry that I started a debate on music…
but actually music is the least of my worries. It’s the thing I’m best at, and i love doing it, so practice usually isn’t hard for me (unless I’m feeling depressed, and then I critisize every single thing and tell me how much I suck)</p>
<p>And thanks for the article idea! I’ll try to use it. Anybody else have any ideas? I’m really stuck. I tried writing an article about not wasting your summer (y’know, have fun and learn something!) but it was like 130 words and that’s pretty short (at least I think it is).</p>
<p>OH and also, one of the reasons I’m having trouble coming up with ideas is that we CCers are so different from everybody else. Very few other people in HS care this much over grades and stuff. So i’m worried that if I sound too nerdy or something the people who run the section will be like “lol this kid doesn’t know a thing about the real world” and then they’ll stamp my application with a big red NO stamp and throw it in the trash even though it’s an email and that wouldn’t work</p>