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Music teacher

  • Hours

    30-40 per week

  • Starting salary

    £21,588 + per year

If you are skilled at playing an instrument or singing, and would like to pass on your skills to others, this job might suit you.

Music teachers give music lessons to people of all ages and abilities, either as private or freelance teachers, or in schools or colleges.

In this job you would need to be very enthusiastic about music. You would need to be patient and encouraging, to enable pupils to progress at a pace that is appropriate for them.

There are different entry requirements for this job, depending on whether you want to teach in a music college, primary school, secondary school, or offer private tuition. See entry requirements section for details.



The work

As a music teacher, your work would vary depending on the type of teaching you do.

Private teaching

You would work with individuals or small groups of people, either in your own home or in the pupil's home. You could work with people of all abilities, from beginners to top performers, and would:

  • plan lessons to suit the individual needs of each pupil
  • teach pupils to play an instrument and to read and interpret music
  • help pupils prepare for music exams, competitions and performances.

You could combine musical performance with teaching, and perhaps be involved in musician-in-residence schemes in schools or colleges.

Teaching in schools and colleges

You could work in a specialist music college, or conservatoire, where you would teach individuals, groups and classes, preparing students for music exams, qualifications and performances.

Alternatively, you could teach in a primary or secondary school, where you would:

  • teach the whole class or a group of pupils
  • teach the history, theory and appreciation of all kinds of music, following the National Curriculum
  • set assignments and mark and assess pupils' work
  • help to organise school choirs, orchestras or bands
  • organise school concerts and musical performances.

In a secondary school, you would be a specialist music teacher. In a primary school, you would cover all curriculum subjects, including music, but you could also be a music specialist, co-ordinating the subject throughout the school.

In a further education college or adult education centre you could teach music on all levels, ranging from hobby courses to qualifications such as GCSE and A level.


Hours

As a private teacher, you would work hours to suit your client group, and may spend time travelling between different teaching venues.

In a school, you would usually work school hours from Monday to Friday. You may also teach individual pupils, run rehearsals or music groups, and attend school concerts and musical performances after school hours, and occasionally at weekends.

In further education colleges, you could work full-or part-time hours, and in adult education centres would teach part-time courses during the day or evening.


Income

Teachers in state schools earn from £21,588 to £31,552 a year (£27,000 to £36,387 in inner London).

Private teachers charge an hourly rate. This averages at between £20 and £30 an hour, but can be £50 or more.

The ISM and the Musicians' Union advise members on fees for private teaching.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.


Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of teaching you want to do.

Private teaching

If you have exceptional musical skills you may be able to become a private teacher without qualifications. However, a qualification such as a teacher's or performer's degree or diploma from a recognised music college, conservatoire or awarding body is likely to improve your chances of finding work.

Courses are available at universities, colleges and conservatoires. To get onto a music degree or diploma you would usually need five GCSEs (A-C) and two A levels, including music, or equivalent qualifications. You would have an audition, and many institutions would expect you to have at least Grade 6 on a main instrument. You should check with course providers for exact entry requirements.

You can apply to conservatoires online at Conservatoires UK Admission Service.

Teaching in music colleges or conservatoires

To teach in a music college or conservatoire you would usually need specialist training to postgraduate level. See details for private teaching above.

Teaching in schools and colleges

To teach in a state school you must have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). See the teacher profiles and the Teaching Agency's Get into Teaching website for details.

As a primary teacher, you would be trained to teach all subjects, but may be able to develop a specialism in music. At secondary level you would train to teach music, possibly combined with another subject.

See the further education lecturer profile for details of teaching in further education colleges and adult education centres.

To find out more about music teaching and other careers in music visit the careers with music pages of the Incorporated Society of Musicians website.


Training and development

As a private teacher, it would be an advantage to keep up to date with the latest thinking and continue to develop your professional skills and knowledge. You can get help with this from the following organisations:

  • the Musicians' Union – offers advice to members on professional development
  • the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) – see the ISM website for details of continuing professional development opportunities and business training
  • the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) – offers a range of professional development courses, including the Certificate of Teaching (CT ABRSM).

You can further your professional development and study for a postgraduate qualification by completing Music Teaching in Professional Practice (Mtpp). The Mtpp is a distance learning programme run by the ISM in partnership with the University of Reading.

The course leads to a postgraduate diploma (PG Dip Mtpp) at the end of two years study, or a Master of Arts degree (MA Mtpp) after a third year.

As a qualified and experienced member of the ISM, you can apply to be listed on the ISM Register of Professional Private Music Teachers.


Skills and knowledge

As a music teacher you would need to have:

  • enthusiasm for music and the ability to motivate pupils
  • a good knowledge of a range of musical styles
  • skills in playing an instrument or singing
  • teaching skills
  • a patient and encouraging approach
  • good communication skills
  • self-motivation and organisational skills
  • business skills if self-employed.

More information

Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) (Opens new window)
10 Stratford Place
London
W1C 1AA
Tel: 020 7629 4413
www.ism.org

Teaching Agency (Opens new window) - Get into Teaching
Teaching Information Line (freephone): 0800 389 2500
www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching

Musicians' Union (Opens new window)
Tel: 020 7582 5566
www.musiciansunion.org.uk

Conservatoires UK Admission Service (CUKAS) (Opens new window)
Rosehill
Newbarn Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 3LZ
Tel: 0871 468 0470
www.cukas.ac.uk

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) (Opens new window)
24 Portland Place
London
W1B 1LU
Tel: 020 7636 5400
www.abrsm.org

Creative and Cultural Skills (Opens new window)
Lafone House
The Leathermarket
Weston Street
London
SE1 3HN
www.creative-choices.co.uk

LSIS Information and Advice (Opens new window)
Tel: 0300 303 1877
Email: lluk.advice@lsis.org.uk
www.excellencegateway.org.uk/320142


Opportunities

Many music teachers are self-employed, often combining teaching privately with part-time or casual work for colleges and other organisations.

You could also work in state and independent schools, and further education and specialist schools and colleges. There is strong competition for jobs in specialist music schools or colleges.

As a qualified and experienced music teacher in a school, you may have the opportunity for promotion to head of music department.

Alternatively, you could become an advisory teacher or inspector employed by a local education authority or independent agency to oversee the teaching of music in local schools.


Related industry information

Industry summary

The music industry is part of the creative and cultural industries, represented by the Creative and Cultural Skills Sector Skills Council, which also includes: craft; cultural heritage; literature; design; performing arts; and visual arts. The creative and cultural industries currently employ 678,480, people, of which 24% are based in London. There are 74,640 businesses in the creative and cultural industries, of which 87% employ less than 10 people.

The music industry includes trade associations, businesses and employers in: recording/labels companies; music publishers; musical instruments; audio production and retail; live events and promotion; specialist music retailers; not‐for‐profit music organisation; as well as music education and training providers.

Key facts:

  • There are 102,220 people working in the music industry, of which:
    • 50,780 work in live performance
    • 21,930 in production, retail and distribution of musical instrument/audio equipment
    • 15,130 in retail and distribution of recordings
    • 10,190 in recording
    • 2,890 in composition of musical works and music publishing
    • 1,300 in promotion, management and agency related activities
  • Employment in music increased by 8% between 2004 and 2006.
  • 25% of the workforce is located in London.
  • There are 13,760 businesses, of which 89% employ less than 50 people.
  • The music industry contributes £4.2 billion to the UK economy.
  • 46% of the music workforce is self‐employed.
  • 34% of the workforce works part‐time.
  • Women in the industry are slightly more highly qualified than men (38% have an above level 4 qualification as their highest qualification compared with 35% of men).
  • Women are likely to earn less money than men (78% of women in music earn less than £20,000 per year, compared to 51% of men).
  • 36% of those working in the music industry have at least a level 4 qualification.
  • 8% of the workforce has no qualifications.

Jobs in the industry include: agent, artistic director, classical musician, composer/arranger DJ, lighting technician, lyricist/songwriter, manager (music), music and audio manufacturer, music conductor, music teacher, performer (recording artist), publicity and promotions, singer, sound engineer.


National and regional data

Northern Ireland – There are 11,640 people working in the Northern Ireland creative and cultural sector. 2% of the UK music workforce is located in Northern Ireland. The music industry in Northern Ireland contributes £59 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the music workforce is white and 63% of the workforce is male. 34% of the music workforce in Northern Ireland is self‐employed.

Scotland – There are 45,420 people working in the Scottish creative and cultural sector. 6% of the UK music workforce is located in Scotland. The music industry in Scotland contributes £230 million to the UK economy. 98% of the music workforce is white. 30% of the music workforce in Scotland is self‐employed.

Wales – There are 24,060 people working in the Welsh creative and cultural sector. 4% of the UK music workforce is located in Wales. The music industry in Wales contributes £69 million to the UK economy. 99% of the workforce is white and 69% of the workforce is male. 38% of the Welsh music workforce is self‐employed.

[N.B. The data for the following regions are for the creative and cultural sector as a whole.]

East Midlands – There are 44,380 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are 3,950 creative businesses in the region, of which 92% employ less than 50 people. 35% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 54% are under 40 years.

East of England – There are 63,700 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 6,710 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 37% of the workforce is self-employed. 66% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.

London – There are 164,690 people in the sector workforce in London, representing 24% of the UK sector workforce. There are 21,600 creative businesses, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 51% of the workforce is self-employed. 58% of the workforce is male. 84% of the sector workforce is white and 56% are under 40 years.

North East – There are 19,680 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 3% of the UK sector workforce. There are 1,330 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 38% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 96% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.

North West – There are 59,580 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 5,660 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 34% of the workforce is self-employed; the majority of who are in arts and music. 62% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 55% are under 40 years.

South East – There are 98,170 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 14% of the UK sector workforce. There are 12,300 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 43% of the workforce is self-employed. 59% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 47% are under 40 years.

South West – There are 60,690 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 47% of the workforce is self-employed in arts, design and music. 59% of the workforce is male. 98% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.

West Midlands – There are 40,300 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 6% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 31% of the workforce is self-employed, which is the lowest regional figure. 58% of the workforce is male. 91% of the sector workforce is white and 49% are under 40 years.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 45,900 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are fewer than 4,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 40% of the workforce is self-employed. 60% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.


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