What Do Instrumental Musicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Instrumental Musicians

Instrumental Musicians play one or more musical instruments in recital, in accompaniment, or as members of an orchestra, band, or other musical group.

Salary
$
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

Instrumental Musicians play one or more musical instruments in recital, in accompaniment, or as members of an orchestra, band, or other musical group. They also practice musical instrument performances, individually or in rehearsal with other musicians, to master individual pieces of music or to maintain and improve skills.

Other tasks include:

  • Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
  • Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
  • Play musical instruments as soloists, or as members or guest artists of musical groups such as orchestras, ensembles, or bands.
  • Sight-read musical parts during rehearsals.
  • Play from memory or by following scores.
  • Listen to recordings to master pieces or to maintain and improve skills.

We asked Instrumental Musicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

75%

How meaningful is this job

83%


75% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 83% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Instrumental Musicians practice musical instrument performances, individually or in rehearsal with other musicians, to master individual pieces of music or to maintain and improve skills. They specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.

A typical day for an Instrumental Musician will also include:

  • Play from memory or by following scores.
  • Play musical instruments as soloists, or as members or guest artists of musical groups such as orchestras, ensembles, or bands.
  • Teach music for specific instruments.
  • Listen to recordings to master pieces or to maintain and improve skills.
  • Transpose music to alternate keys, or to fit individual styles or purposes.

We asked some Instrumental Musicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 7% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 76% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 48% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 7% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 13% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 33% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Instrumental Musicians also sight-read musical parts during rehearsals. They may also perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Instrumental Musicians Listen to recordings to master pieces or to maintain and improve skills. They might also Transpose music to alternate keys, or to fit individual styles or purposes.

In addition, they Teach music for specific instruments.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Direct bands or orchestras.

To some Instrumental Musicians, it is also their responsibility to Arrange and edit music to fit style and purpose.


Working life

Working hours

Less than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Instrumental Musician, you can expect to work less than 40 hours per week.

Do Instrumental Musicians work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
56%


Once a week
29%


Do Instrumental Musicians work outdoors?

Never
51%


Once a year
48%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Artists and The Entrepreneurs

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Instrumental Musicians

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Related to Instrumental Musicians Job Description

Instrumental Musicians job description, what do Instrumental Musicians do, typical day for Instrumental Musicians, what is it like to work as an Instrumental Musician, how many hours do Instrumental Musicians work, day to day work of an Instrumental Musician

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/entertainment-and-sports/musicians-and-singers.htm
https://futureofmusic.org/
http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/


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