I really could do with some suggestions, I have a Grade 6 piano exam on the 26th November, and yesterday I broke my index finger! Ive spent a whole year working up to this! And im really determined to do it, Even if im in pain ( If i say i have a broken finger, will i get some extra marks... ??)
But i really want a healed finger by Friday, Ive been told to rest it until wednesday, and i can take the bandages off till then, meaning no pratice till WEDNESDAY!
i am going to be VERY stressed out, any suggestions whether i can ask for a change of date THIS term ( i really dont want it in the spring, ive waited a while for this exam) ?????

Ouch, poor you!

I doubt if they'll change the date. Will you be able to even play with a broken finger? If there's any question about it, I think you'll have to pull out. if you're in pain you're certainly not going to play your best anyway.

Liz

If you ring and ask they might be able to change it for a later date this session (it's an outside chance as it's quite late to change) if you're willing to change centres it may work and would at least give you an extra two weeks or so. I think that the advice you were given before to rest until spring is good though, it would be a shame to have practised for so long and to not get the mark you deserve, or worse to damage your finger even more by playing, for the sake of waiting: you could practise some other pieces in the mean time (once your finger is better, and practise just with one hand until then...) and then come back to your pieces nearer to the next exam date.

I agree...pull out...the earlier you ring and explain, the better chance you have of being allowed to transfer your entry fees etc. over to the next session.

Finger injuries can plague you for decades. That said, a broken finger will mend pretty well in 2-3 weeks, (but not 2-3 days), so give it a chance to mend well, rather than buying a lifetime of trouble for yourself.

If there is any muscle or other soft tissue injury, you could be looking at much longer until your finger heals properly.

A sports clinic may be a very good place to get treatment and rehabilitation advice, if there is one nearby.

Take care...hope it heals well.

What rotten bad luck. I do sympathise. One of my pupils had a bandaged finger for our recent concert - I didn't think she'd be able to play because of the thickness of the bandage, but somehow she managed it. The finger was not painful though which helped.

I wonder whether gritting your teeth and using the finger might risk doing long-term damage? And if so, is it worth it?

I too doubt whether you will get a change of date this term - but I still think it's worth a try. Even if you get only an extra week, it would help. I'd phone AB, explain, and ask if there's any chance. It's a reasonably request after all. (If they are able to change, they might ask for a note from your doctor). The worst they can do is say "no- sorry" and you're no worse off. Are you in the UK ?

Maggie

That is hard luck.
My thoughts are - make sure you won't be doing damage by playing on the day with a broken finger - so get a sound medical opinion on this. Lets face it, you don't want to suffer from this for the rest of your life!
Re-telling the examiner- I would be careful about saying this BEFORE you start. Some examiners might think the risk is too great and refuse to let you continue! So if you want the sympathy vote, you might tell them AFTER!! You will deserve a gold medal if you get through!
Keep us posted on events, and hopefully your finger gets back to normal soon.

i'm interested in how u broke ur fingers, u shouldn't have done that to urself, i mean u should do any harsh activity for ur exam is coming soon(incondition ur injury was caused by physical activities)

I would have thought that they would change the date for something as fundamental as a broken finger!

As your finger is broken, would you be better to postpone the exam? Surely the board must make allowances for broken limbs?

I would strongly recommend getting a doctors note to show to the examiner, and explaining you situation.

Any one got any recommendations for doing grade 8 flute with tonsilitis?!

Poor you!!! I hope your finger gets well enough so you can take the exam!!! I know how annoying it would be to wait till next term - I've been wanting to do grade 6 flute for ages and have learned all the pieces, but have to wait till next term because I had to sit my theory exam first!

I think you may well get a later date this term if you phone up and ask. explaining the problem. I've found the AB to be very helpful if I've ever needed to chnge a pupil's exam. It would only be up to 11th December though which is when this session ends (assuming you're in UK), and you have to be prepared to take whatever time they offer you, which at this stage is probably where they have a gap due to someone else pulling out. You may also be offered a different centre.

If you can't do it this term I think you have to withdraw and re-enter in the spring, they won't automatically transfer you.

And although the examiner will be sympathetic, you won't actually get extra marks if you say you have a broken finger! It may not be worth doing the exam if you can't play your best.

Good luck!

Poor you! I wouldnt think that your finger would be healed in time! Is there not something they can do, like change the date, if you have an injury? Its a bit harsh if there isnt!

I have no idea whether it would be possible to change the date, but surely it's at least worth a phone call to see?

Sorry to hear the news, and wishing you a very speedy recovery.

I have just had a call from a pupil with an exam on friday. He has sprained his wrist badly in a football accident this afternoon. i am going to ring the board in the morning and see if he can play next week when it will be less painful. These things happen, the board can be accomodating ... also you may be able to find someone to swop with maybe another teachers pupil next week. The board just need to have the times matching so not to disrupt other students.

I did grade 3 Clarinet with a broken index finger. Ok this is nothing like Grade 6 piano, but hey!

Are you doing GCSE's? Broken fingers are great for English Language. They couldn't mark my handwriting so I recieved an A* endorsement on my A grade paper.

Maybe they'll do the same for piano?

Out of interest how did u break yours??? If you dnt mind me asking?!

First of all, sorry to hear about your finger. I think it is best to let your finger heal. The last thing you want to do is to permanantly damage that finger just to take an exam. Have you considered telling the Board asking to reschedule your exam? Anyway, if you have been working at this for some time, you will surely want to get the best mark that you can get to prove that all that hard work was all worth it in the end. I am assuming that you will want to get above a pass for this exam (-correct me if I am wrong).

Pinkcello,

If you have broken your finger, please do give our UK Exams Administration department a call. In exceptional circumstances such as yours, they will do their best to make alternative arrangements that suit you better.

The number to call is 020 7636 5400. Then tell us which region of the UK you're based in so that we can direct your call to the most appropriate person.

Christine Morris
Forums Adminstration

Ring the board. I was due to do grade 6 piano on Thursday but I have been called away on a business trip which I cannot miss. We rang the board and they offered a date next week (I still can't do it, as it happens, but it shows they may be able to help.)

Good luck. If it's any consolation, it sounds like you worked really hard and were ready so I'm sure you'll sail through if you have to postpone it.

PS What would have happened if this was the last dates for the particular syllabus, and you had a genuine reason for missing the exam.

PPS Do exam fees carry over if you miss the exam?

I Broke It Playing netball In a P.e Match, I wasn't really doinh anything VERY physical where its most likely to get broken, lol.
I had my last lesson today, and i've decided to Play through the Pain, Im doing the A1 piece, Allegro, and i have quite small hands, so theres a nice big stretch i have to do, with my broken finger, WHICH is painful, but its got to be done.

Sorry to hear your finger injury. Better take rest and go for next time rather than inuring your finger more. Prevention is better than cure. Ask for a date change and try if u can if not pull out, please keep us informed of your progress. We are anxious and praying for ur speedy recovery

Oh no !! Phone the exam board to see if you can change the date.

QUOTE

Do exam fees carry over if you miss the exam?

Not usually.

Maggie

QUOTE (Richiscoul @ Nov 23 2004, 06:20 PM)

PPS Do exam fees carry over if you miss the exam?

Generally no, unless you have an exceptionally good reason and have explicitly negotiated it with them (I've never known it to happen but I'm sure it does in exceptional circumstances) perhaps breaking one's finger would be a good enough reason, I don't know....

I know everyone here takes music seriously (and so do I ) but I urge you to think of yourself and your health before the music. It's quite worrying you've decided to "Play Through The Pain" - your health should be your priority. Sorry if I'm coming over all school-teachery but dpn't feel pressured - I know you probably are really keen to do this exam, but why not wait until the next session when you know you'll be fit and healthy for sure? In the meantime, you can go over the pieces you've learned but also learn some new repertiore to stop them for growing tired?

Whatever you do, I hope it works out for the best.