Should I be a music teacher?

Do you love music and sharing that passion with others?

Then becoming a music teacher could strike just the right chord with you!

As a music teacher, you could find your rhythm in several different teaching roles.

School music teacher

• Teach large groups of students

• Teach music theory, history, and practice

• Direct school bands or choirs

Private instrumental or vocal tutor

• Provide one-on-one instruction

• Teach a particular instrument, group of instruments, or singing

• Teach in your home, students’ homes, or at different institutions

Music theory instructor

• Focus on the academic side of music

• Teach topics such as musical notation, harmony, and counterpoint

• Teach music in colleges or universities

Community music teacher

• Teach groups of various ages and skill-levels

• Organize musical events in your local area

• Make music accessible and enjoyable for everyone

Experience

• Strong ability in at least one instrument

• Knowledge of a range of musical genres and styles (or a specialist in one style)

Education and Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in music, music education, or a related field

• Teacher certification

Skills

• Strong communication skills: you might be working with a wide range of students

• Patience and adaptability: to adapt your teaching style to meet the needs of different students

• Organizational skills: to keep track of each student's progress and plan lessons

• You're patient, empathetic, and a good communicator

• You're creative and adaptive — you can think on your feet and change your approach to meet different students' needs

• You enjoy it when every day is different from the last

• You prefer working by yourself

• You want to be a millionaire

• You like a predictable schedule and routine

The salary for music teachers can vary greatly depending on:

• type of teaching

• qualifications and experience

• geographical location

In the U.S., the average salary is $45,765 (USD).

Photo by Luke Michael on Unsplash

In Canada, the average salary is $63,019 (CAD).

Photo by Rose Butler on Unsplash

Priya

• Enjoys working alone

• Likes a fixed routine

David

• Doesn’t like uncertainty

• Wants to earn $100,000 a year

Sara

• Loves working with a range of people

• Is patient and understanding

Does becoming a music teacher sound like music to your ears?