Example Career: Musicians, Instrumental

Career Description

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

What Job Titles Musicians, Instrumental Might Have

• Horn Player
• Musician
• Orchestra Musician
• Violinist

What Musicians, Instrumental Do

• Practice musical instrument performances, individually or in rehearsal with other musicians, to master individual pieces of music or to maintain and improve skills.
• 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.
• Teach music for specific instruments.
• Provide the musical background for live shows such as ballets, operas, musical theatre, and cabarets.
• Audition for orchestras, bands, or other musical groups.
• Make or participate in recordings in music studios.
• Promote their own or their group's music by participating in media interviews and other activities.
• Transpose music to alternate keys, or to fit individual styles or purposes.
• Direct bands or orchestras.
• Arrange and edit music to fit style and purpose.
• Improvise music during performances.

What Musicians, Instrumental Should Be Good At

• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

What Musicians, Instrumental Need to Learn

• Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.