Private music teacher

Music teacher job description: Qualifications and training | Typical employers | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• planning and preparing lessons in relation to individual pupils' needs and examination syllabuses
• acquiring appropriate teaching materials/resources
• teaching music theory, aural skills and practical techniques to pupils
• entering and preparing pupils for examinations
• motivating pupils and encouraging progress
• liaising with academic staff and/or parents
• creating and maintaining a network of contacts to ensure work continuity
• ensuring up-to-date knowledge and awareness of examination requirements
• assessing pupils abilities, providing feedback and writing reports
• arranging recitals/concerts for pupils' families and friends
• keeping financial, administrative and business records
• advertising or publicising the business.

Because many people take music lessons as a hobby in their spare time, the job commonly requires working evenings and weekends. In this respect it may be possible to make it work around a day job.

Qualifications and training required

Music grades, a music degree or a teaching qualification can be very helpful in applying to be a music teacher. It is also necessary to have excellent musical performance and teaching skills. Previous paid or voluntary teaching experience can be beneficial when initially promoting yourself.

Typical employers of music teachers

County music services employ a number of music teachers, and can act as a reference service for even more. Many music teachers are self-employed, but you will need to build up a client base before you can be fully established.

Speculative applications to educational establishments are also recommended. Vacancies with schools, colleges, higher education institutions etc. are advertised via the Internet, in newspapers and publications such as The Times Educational Supplement.

Key skills for music teachers

• motivation
• flexibility
• determination
• enthusiasm
• imagination
• commitment
• energy
• passion
• excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• patience (particularly for work with young children).