Hi, I think I did somethig really silly, last month decided to enter myself for grade 6 clarinet but I dont actually have a clarinet teacher, my piano teacher was going to look at the technical side fo the pieces and I was going to learn everything else myself! Only problem is I am also working incredibly hard for my A levels and havent really had much time to practise. I only really wanted to take the exam, so that if I pass I could get some extra UCAS points!! Clarinet is my second instrument and I am not very confident on it. Only taking one other exam and that was grade 5 about 3 years ago, however that went so well, I thought I would attempt grade 6. I did ask my piano teachers opinion before hand and Im quite a quick learner and she said that I should be ok, but now Im really not sure. I didnt realise how busy I would be. For my A level performance I have to prepare 4 pieces, so I am working really hard on my piano as well to try and polish up my old grade 8 pieces, but its really hard to gind the time to practise my clarinet, especially when I dont enjoy it as much as the piano.

Hi,

Are you taking the exam in March, or during the summer?

If I were you I'd concentrate on the A levels and Piano. The Clarinet can always be done again and putting in more work now might not be so good if you leave behind work for A levels and Piano practice. If you ease off on the Piano you've worked so hard on it could get you a lower mark as with A levels. This has never happened to me (not even old enough to do A levels!! lol) but I guess it would be better to just do your best how you are now on Clarinet and then do great at Piano and A levels as you've already put in the work. Hope this helps a teeny bit!

xx L xx