Musician
A musician’s future depends partly on the genre of music chosen. If you play in an orchestra, your chances of becoming a soloist are low; if you play in a popular group, you could achieve huge, but often short-lived, commercial success. AMATEUR Taking music classes and exams, and playing in a local band or orchestra will help you develop your skills, give you exposure to an audience, and may help you start a professional career in music.
06 · Qualifications & training you need
A degree is not essential, but one must be able to either sing or play an instrument, and perform to a very high standard.
Where people train for this
03 · Education pathway
Design/arts education and/or strong professional portfolio; requirements vary by occupation.
04 · Lifestyle
Rehearsals and recordings in a studio, or live performances during gigs and tours, can involve long hours. Schedules are highly irregular.
04 · Location
Musicians may work in a recording studio, theatre, school, or a place of worship. If touring, international travel may be required.
21 · The realities
This is a hugely competitive field. Performances can be tiring and stressful, whether live or in a studio.
07 · Graduate route
If you study music at university or college, you will gain an understanding of theory, history, and technique. A degree is not a guarantee of success as a performer, but can give you access to other parts of the music business.