Musician
Also known as: trumpet player, orchestra section leader, harmonica player, clarinet player, concert soloist, bass player
About this occupation
Musicians perform a vocal or musical part that can be recorded or played for an audience. They have know-how and practice of one or many instruments or using their voice. The musician can also write and transcribe music.
Essential skills and knowledge
- legal environment in music
- perform live
- accept feedback on artistic performance
- work independently as an artist
- collaborate with a technical staff in artistic productions
- interact with an audience
- work with composers
- organise a repertoire
- cope with stage fright
- memorise lines
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Musicians and Singers (O*NET 27-2042.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
- Practice performances, individually or in rehearsal with other musicians, to master individual pieces of music or to maintain and improve skills.
- 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.
- Provide the musical background for live shows, such as ballets, operas, musical theatre, and cabarets.
- Play from memory or by following scores.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Artistic, Enterprising, Social
Top skills: Speaking, Active Listening, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Social Perceptiveness, Critical Thinking
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Fine Art or Music or Drama and TheatreO*NET: Fine ArtsExtremely important (4.8)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Music Directors and Composers
- Actors
- Choreographers
- Dancers
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
- Talent Directors
- Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
- Music Therapists
- Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
- Producers and Directors
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.