Oh dear, I was so hoping to do my grade 5 piano in June but have been in bed sick for just over a week with glandular fever. My teacher will need to enter me soon for the June exam period and I just don't think I can make it.

I am so disappointed as I really feel I am going to lose valuable weeks. my pieces are all done, just putting the final polish on them, my sight reading is nearly up to scratch and my ear tests aren't bad. the only thing is my scales and I feel I am about 90% done on these but they are my weak part and personally I still feel they need a good bit of work ( i am very self critical too) - I just haven't the strength at the minute - crawled out of bed and did 10 mins yesterday and was exhausted. My teacher feels I am ready - or at least "was" before I took sick.

I am still hoping to do grade 4 theory in june as I am well into the workbook and going to start on papers soon unless another disaster happens!!

I am a mature piano student with children and a job too. To be honest, i don't really know what the rush is about either as I only did grade 3 in Nov (distinction)!!! I don't even "need" to do grade 5, I could move on to grade 6 - which is what my teacher suggested in Feb (providing I get grade 5 theory , aiming for this in september). Maybe I should just settle myself and do grade 4 theory and be happy with that!!

Should I sit this one out??? I think Grade 5 piano means a good bit of pressure in the months immediately beforehand and I do tend to get stressed about practical exams - not sure if this is a good combination with glandular fever.

anyone else have glandular fever whilst doing exams?

Elizabeth

Can't give you any medical type advice but it sounds to me, from what you've said, that the best thing to do would be to give grade 5 a miss this time: I doubt the stress will do you any good, and it's not that you need it. Think of it as a bonus, some time to expand your repertoire with as much, or as little, work as your health allows: after all playing pieces other than exam pieces is essential to learning to play the instrument. When you're feeling up to it consider exams again: whether that be grade 5 or grade 6, whichever one you feel ready to tackle. Don't forget to practise your scales in the meantime though, in the absence of an exam, if they're a weakness it's a good place to start .