If you have developed your musical skills to a high level, you could consider sharing your enjoyment of music by teaching others.
In this article we’ll look at the settings in which you can teach music, what teaching music involves, the skills you need and the various entry routes. We’re grateful to Rhiannon Bedford, a freelance music tutor, for providing some useful insights.
Where could I work as a music teacher?
Music teachers are employed in a range of settings. They work in primary, secondary and special schools, and in colleges, universities and music conservatoires. Those who are freelance (i.e. self-employed) and who teach music privately may work from their own homes or other venues, travel to their students’ homes to give lessons or teach online.
Some music teachers work on a peripatetic basis. This means that they travel to different schools or other settings to teach. They may be paid directly by the schools or by music services/local authorities.
There are occasional opportunities to teach music at specialist music centres and/or through music charities.
TIP: To get an idea about the range of opportunities available, have a look at vacancies online. For positions in schools and other educational settings, see Tes jobs. LGjobs and Jobs Go Public advertise positions in the public sector and with charities.
What do music teachers do?
The nature of your work will vary depending on the setting, age range and ability level of the students you teach.
Music teachers – especially those who are freelance – often combine teaching with other related or unrelated roles or teach in more than one capacity. Rhiannon told us that, “Alongside my work as a violin teacher I perform in ensembles, such as string quartets and orchestras, and record music for composers. I also support community music and education projects.”
Private and peripatetic music teachers work with individual students or small groups. Some students will be taking graded music exams (e.g. through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and also learning the theory of music.
If you are employed in a primary school, you normally teach all curriculum subjects to a particular age group, but you also develop music across the whole school. In secondary education you may teach students doing GCSE/National and A level/Higher music. At a college, you might teach music as a subject or as part of a broader performing arts programme. Teaching in schools and colleges (and also in higher education) often involves leading choirs, orchestras or other music groups, and putting on performances.
Private music teachers need to ensure that they have the right insurance, and comply with health and safety, and child protection regulations. They organise their own schedule of lessons, prepare and enter students for music exams, performances and auditions, and generally manage the finance, marketing and administration of their business. Networking is important in order to attract students.
TIP: Tell your musical contacts that you are looking for students, network online and join organisations that run events and provide other benefits, such as the Musicians' Union (MU), ISM (Independent Society of Musicians), the Youth Music Network or Music Mark. Consider registering your details on an online directory of music teachers, such as MusicTeachers.co.uk, ISM or MusicTeacher.com
All music teachers plan their lessons, produce teaching materials, work out how best to develop their students and provide feedback on progress. Rhiannon explains, “I teach the violin online to students from the age of eight to adults. Many are total beginners so I introduce them not just to the instrument, but to all the other skills needed, such as reading music, playing to others and how to practise!”
Would I suit a career in music teaching?
In addition to a high level of musical ability, music teaching calls for a range of other skills. Rhiannon stresses that, “To be an engaging teacher you have to be passionate about the music itself, as well as about all the benefits that taking part in musical activity can have on people’s wellbeing. You must be flexible, patient and understand that everyone learns in different ways, so you have to adapt your teaching practice in creative ways to make it as inclusive as possible.”
A professional approach to your work is essential. Rhiannon says, “As a freelance teacher you have to be very organised as you are responsible for timetabling and planning all your sessions, and possibly balancing that alongside other work!”
If you teach private students, you need to be prepared to work evenings and weekends, and possibly be able to travel to teach different students (this is also the case with peripatetic jobs).
Note that to work with children you need to undergo background checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service in England/Wales or Disclosure Scotland. The MU and EduCare have developed a useful online course for music teachers on child protection.
How can I get into music teaching?
The qualifications you need depend on where you are employed, but many music teachers are music graduates and some have qualifications in music teaching/education. Rhiannon told us, “I studied music at university and recently graduated from a master’s course in violin performance at a conservatoire.”
To be accepted on most music degree courses, apart from A levels/Highers (including music) or equivalent, you need a high standard of practical musical ability – up to grade 8 on your main instrument/singing – and there is usually an audition.
TIP: Although all music degree courses include performance, check the focus as some are more academic than others. Courses at conservatoire are performance based. Certain degrees allow you to specialise in areas such as popular music, jazz or vocal performance.
If you are interested in becoming a school music teacher, most employers expect you to have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS); this is mandatory to teach in state schools. There are different ways to gain QTS:
- You could take an undergraduate initial teacher training degree (eg a BEd or BA with QTS) – a common route for working in primary schools –
- or, after taking a degree in music, do a music Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Professional Graduate Diploma (PGDE) in Scotland.
- There are a few specialist courses, such as the PGCE in music with specialist instrumental teaching at the Royal Northern College of Music.
- There are also salaried, school-based initial teacher training programmes, including Apprenticeships.
Music degree and postgraduate programmes can give you the chance to develop your teaching skills. At the Royal Academy of Music, for example, undergraduate and postgraduate music students can take the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music (LRAM). There are also master's degree programmes in music education, which can be taken on a full- or part-time basis.
No particular qualifications are needed to teach private students, but there are a number of qualifications you could take to develop your teaching skills. The RSL offers Professional Diplomas at levels 4 and level 6 – both have pathways in music teaching. There is also a Level 4 Certificate for Music Educators awarded by the ABRSM and by Trinity College London.
The MU website has useful advice on choosing music educator qualifications and lists available courses.
Gaining relevant experience will help you decide whether or not music teaching is right for you, will develop your skills and also demonstrate to potential employers/students that you are committed to a career in teaching. You could, for example, get work experience in a school, lead ensembles or give informal lessons to family and friends.
TIP: “A great way to gain experience of music education and instrumental teaching is by observing or assisting experienced teachers. Even in your own lessons, try to notice the way that your teacher approaches the various technical or musical challenges you are facing.”
What opportunities are there to progress as a music teacher?
If you teach music in a school, college or university/conservatoire, with experience you could gain promotion to head of music or other positions of responsibility. There are also leadership roles in music services and arts organisations.
Opportunities for progression as a private music teacher are more limited, but as you develop your caseload of students you could teach those at higher levels and/or specialise in aspects of the work that you particularly enjoy, such as teaching particular styles of music or age groups of students. Organisations like the ISM and MU offer business and careers advice, webinars etc to help you develop your business.
Some music teachers conduct orchestras or choirs, run workshops/masterclasses or become music board examiners, for example.
How can I find out more about careers in music teaching?
There’s lots of information and advice online, but make sure that what you read is reliable and up to date. The MU and ISM websites have all sorts of articles that may be of use, particularly if you want to teach privately.
For career profiles, see Prospects (for information on private music teaching, aimed at graduates), the National Careers Service (for information on teaching music in England), Careers Wales and My World of Work (for details on teaching music in secondary schools in Scotland).
Finally…
We asked Rhiannon what she considers to be the challenges and rewards of her work teaching music. “It can sometimes be difficult to pace yourself so that everyone gets you at your best. Whether it’s your first or tenth lesson of the day, every student deserves the same level of energy and enthusiasm! Also, whilst having violin lessons online can be convenient, it comes with its own challenges, for example students or their carers have to be responsible for preparing and tuning their instruments from their very first lesson, which can feel a little overwhelming initially.”
Rhiannon went on to say, “I enjoy getting to share the music I love with others and being introduced to new music by my students. My favourite bits of teaching are the moments of joy when a student notices and enjoys the progress they have made. I also love hearing about performances they have given to friends and family!”
Debbie Steel, June 2024
With a background working with apprentices and teaching in further education, Debbie was employed as an in-house careers author before establishing herself as a freelancer. As well as co-authoring numerous careers books, Debbie has produced resources and web content for a range of high-profile clients. She is an enthusiastic proponent of impartial and reliable careers information, and a member of the Careers Writers Association and Career Development Institute.
