Articles:

You always hear stories about people teaching themselves to play the guitar, the piano
or…erm… the didgeridoo. But most people need a bit of help when they first start learning to
play an instrument. This is where music teachers come in!
Music teachers are the passionate people who teach children and adults to sing or play
instruments. Some music teachers also teach people about music theory.

Music teachers teach private music lessons in schools, community centres, music shops,
people’s homes and public institutions, such as hospitals and prisons.
Responsible for teaching people instrumental techniques, scales, sight reading and music
theory, the majority of music teachers help pupils to prepare for music examinations, auditions
and live performances. Some might even teach people about recording software, such as Pro
Tools and Logic.
If you work with young people, you may also be responsible for keeping parents up to date on
their children’s progress.
If you work on a freelance basis, you will also need to manage your business, carry out
administrative duties, network your socks off and promote your services to the public via
posters and online resources.
Understandably, you must be a competent and talented musician to pursue a career as a music
teacher. However, there are no minimum academic requirements. Admittedly, many music
teachers have an undergraduate degree or diploma in music, or a teaching qualification.
However, this is by no means essential. If you can demonstrate your musical skills and passion
for music, that will be sufficient.
It’s important to remember, however, that, as a freelancer, your success and salary will depend
on your reputation. Consequently, music qualifications and experience of live performance will
understandably help to raise your profile.
All music teachers must undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, previously known as
CRB, or Criminal Records Bureau) check before they can work with young people.

In order to be a successful music teacher, you will need to improve and refine your skills on a
continuous basis, teaching yourself new techniques and developing new teaching methods.

To avoid getting rusty, you might choose to attend training courses and complete additional
qualifications offered by organisations such as the Musician’s Union, Rockschool and Trinity
Guildhall.
Becoming a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians is also a good way to enhance
your professional reputation and get some tips on business development.
If you decide to work in this area, there is no career ladder to climb, as such. It’s all about
building your reputation and developing your business. Alternatively, you might decide to take
a different route.
For instance, you might decide to become an examiner for a music board. Perhaps you could
might try to ‘make it’ as a performer or become a professional songwriter. Other options
include lecturing at a further education college, or you might choose to become a full-time
music teacher at a school.

If you decide to do become a full-time teacher, you will need to obtain Qualified Teacher Status
(QTS) in England and Wales or a Teaching Qualification (TQ) in Scotland. There are various ways
you can do this. Check out our Secondary School Teacher job description for more details.
18