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Do you love music and sharing that passion with others?
Then becoming a music teacher could strike just the right chord with you!
What Kinds Of Music Teachers Are There?
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
What Experience and Skills Will I Need?
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
You'll Love It If…
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
This Might Not Be Your Jam If…
You prefer working by yourself
You want to be a millionaire
You like a predictable schedule and routine
How Note-Worthy Is The Pay?
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 UnsplashIn Canada, the average salary is $63,019 (CAD).
Photo by Rose Butler on UnsplashDid you know?
Private instrumental teachers can often set their own rates, which might be higher or lower than these averages.
Who Should Step Up To The Stage?
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
Quiz
Who sounds like they’re most suited to becoming a music teacher?
Sara would be well suited to the role because music teachers often have to work with diverse groups of student, and need to be calm and patient when helping others learn. Priya would be less suited to the role because teaching music can involve having an unpredictable schedule and constantly working with others. Similarly, David's dislike of uncertainty makes him a bad fit, and his salary goals aren't in line with what a music teacher would earn.
Take Action
Does becoming a music teacher sound like music to your ears?
This Byte has been authored by
Peter Atkinson
Digital Education