A music teacher is a professional who teaches music and its different aspects to the students. They teach different disciplines of music, such as theory, instruments, orchestra, band, basics of music, choir or a combination of all the disciplines. They usually work full-time or part-time at educational institutes and may also work independently to offer private music classes.
In most undergraduate programmes, you study different subjects such as music theory and history, performance, ensemble and conducting. You also get to learn general education topics such as classroom instruction and student evaluation, musical instruction topics, including lesson planning for music, instrument-specific instruction and teaching music appreciation.
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2. Complete classroom training
Most music education programmes require students to complete a certain number of classroom observation hours and student teaching along with their own lectures, exams and musical performances. This part of the program allows you to observe music teachers working with a variety of learning levels, teaching different instruments and musical concepts and leading various student music groups.
Besides observation hours, such courses also generally teaching practicums in which you serve as a learning teacher at a local school, conduct lessons under the supervision of the lead teacher and gain practical experience. Some courses may allow you to complete your practicum with a teacher who has the same speciality as you. A practicum semester also allows you to get regular feedback about how to improve as a teacher and reflect on your experiences to develop your own style of teaching.
3. Gain experience
Aside from the observation and practicum hours, consider pursuing other opportunities that allow you to develop the skills required of music teachers. You can offer music lessons and teach young students or peers how to play an instrument or develop their singing voice. This allows you to practice your one-on-one instruction skills and improve your training abilities. You can also look for opportunities to volunteer at a school or community centre's music programming, which will also allow you to build professional networking connections.
4. Attain teaching certificate
After completing your music educator preparation program, you need to obtain your state's requirements to earn your teaching certificate. Each state may have different requirements for its educators. Requirements may include passing multiple exams such as CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test), SET (State Eligibility Test) that test you on your teaching skills and subject knowledge. Some states also require teachers to take regular tests to check skills and knowledge or continue their education to learn the latest practices for the classroom and music education.
5. Pursue higher studies
Earning a master's degree can help increase your job opportunities and earning potential as a music teacher. The subjects in a master's program for music educators may include the history and philosophy of music education and the psychology of music. You may also have to complete an internship, both of which allow you to further develop a specialisation. If you want to teach at the university level, you may also have to obtain a doctoral degree.
Read more: 10 Common Teacher Interview Questions And Answers
What does a music teacher do?
The daily duties of a music teacher may depend upon the grade level they teach, their work environment and the location where they work. For example, music teachers who work at a university or college focus on teaching specific disciplines as compared to a music teacher at an elementary school, who might simply introduce musical concepts to young students. Generally, a music teacher performs the below duties:
teach students about different musical concepts and how to play musical instruments
impart knowledge on how to read music, including key elements of tempo, harmony, rhythm and melody
keep a record of student's progress through report cards and discuss it during parent-teacher meetings
conduct rehearsals for musical performances
prepare students to perform at school events and various competitions
organise school trips for students to museums, musical concerts and other music-related shows
providing group or individual lessons
teach music theory to students and introduce them to varied genres of music like classical, folk, pop music and jazz
What skills does a music teacher need?
A music teacher develops their skills over time with practice, and most of them start as young students with training and education in their school or college. A good music teacher develops the below skills as they progress in their career:
1. Musical knowledge
Music teachers have excellent knowledge of the genre of music they teach. They also know how to play various types of musical instruments. They have to explain complex concepts and theoretical knowledge to students. Thus, the ability to break down information and knowledge using simpler ways and methodologies is also important.
2. Organisational skills
Music teachers keep a track of student assignments, program budgets, lesson plans and progress reports. They also organise students into distinct class groups depending on their grade, performance ability or instrument each group plays. Music teachers who give individual lessons also keep a track of invoices, payments and receipts. To carry out all these activities efficiently, music teachers require good organisational skills.
Experience
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Music teacher (Jul, 2022
–Present) at Badal music academy
Education
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Phd music (Jul, 2022–now) from Banasthali vidyapith rajasthan
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Ma music (Jun, 2019–Aug, 2021) from Indira kala sangeet vishwavidyalaya, khairagarh (C.G.) India
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B.A (hons) music (Jul, 2016–Aug, 2019) from Indira kala sangeet vishwavidyalaya, khairagarh (C.G.) India