While anyone can read sheet music with a little skill, learning to compose your own music is an entirely different beast. Something that Octavia has been attempting to do for a time.
Unfortunately she hasn't played any of her compositions for an audience, so they gather dust.
Fancy underwear isn't a smart thing to buy when rent is so expensive, each gig only covers about what Octavia needs to make the month.
But who's to say you can't splurge once in a while. Though it's not like the cellist gets many visits to her place anyway..