Become a Musician

Musicians are performers who share their musical talent with an audience. They can perform as solo artists, backing musicians or as part of a choir, band or orchestra. They compose music, rehearse songs, record sessions and perform live.

  • Average salary in UK

    £29,786 (PayScale)
  • Average salary in US

    $46,185 (Salary)
  • Average salary in Canada

    CA$58,500 (neuvoo)
  • UK percentage self-employed

    72%
Source: PayScale

What skills do you need to become a musician?

  • Dedication and stamina

    To fully master your instrument or musical talent, it takes a lot of determination and stamina. Musicians need to continually practise and push themselves to improve their skills, so they must be willing to show commitment.

  • Confidence

    A large part of being a musician is performing, often in front of large crowds. This is often what attracts musicians to the job, but it also requires you to have confidence in yourself and your abilities so that you don’t crumble under pressure.

  • Teamwork

    As a musician, you’ll often be working as part of a team where everyone relies on each other, such as in a band or orchestra. It is therefore important that you can communicate well with team members and listen to directions.

  • Musical ability

    You need to have a good level of musical ability in order to succeed as a musician. This may require music lessons or you can be self-taught. It may be an advantage to be able to read music but it is not essential.

The benefits of taking music courses online with FutureLearn

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