I have been learning the piano for 5 years now but through this it has been a bit neglected especially as i have the same teacher for clarinet and piano! I have decided i would like to do the grade 6 though maybe next summer as i'm working on dip for clarinet and have my gd. 5 flute this winter.

I did grade 5 last summer but have had a big break to concentrate on clarinet and getting to diploma standard. I have mostly been playing music by comtempory composers on the piano e.g. einaudi etc. The question is am i setting myself an immpossible target to do grade 6 next summer? (my teacher thinks i'm easily capable- iam not so sure!)

I wouldn't set a time on it but maybe make sure that your scales are in place while continuing with general repertoire then make a start on pieces and make a decision based on how you manage. Then enter when you are ready.

Sounds good ! As i have the same teacher for clarinet and piano she often thinks i am of the same ability for both so i think it would be really good to get the scales in place first then look at pieces plus i can get to know the instrument a little better in the meantime!

Thanks Again

Depends how long it takes you to prepare for exams, and how much time you can put in. I did grade 6 piano last term, and only started working on it in January. I didn't have a clarinet dip. though!

As well as keeping up with your scales, what about looking at the standard required for sight-reading at grade 6 and trying to play some unfamiliar music of about that standard to keep up your piano skills.

Like it has already been said, it might not be wise to set a definite time limit on this straight away, but have a look at the grade 6 pieces and see if you can play them, as well as be able to cope with the other aspects of the exam. There is plenty of time before you need to be entered, so it might be better to decide closer to then.