What You'll Do

  • Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
  • Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment.
  • Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.
  • Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
  • Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.
  • Observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation.
  • Memorize musical selections and routines, or sing following printed text, musical notation, or customer instructions.
  • 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.

Essential Skills

Speaking 3.38/5
Active Listening 3.25/5
Monitoring 3.25/5
Reading Comprehension 3.12/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.12/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Service Orientation 2.88/5
Time Management 2.88/5
Writing 2.75/5
Active Learning 2.75/5
Persuasion 2.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Artist: Creating original work and expressing ideas feels natural.
  • Leader: Taking charge and moving ideas forward motivates you.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.

Common styles

Dependability, Attention to Detail, Cooperation, Achievement/Effort, Persistence

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 3.88/5
Oral Expression 3.88/5
Hearing Sensitivity 3.75/5
Written Comprehension 3.5/5
Memorization 3.5/5
Auditory Attention 3.5/5
Speech Recognition 3.5/5
Speech Clarity 3.5/5

Technologies & Tools

Acoustica Mixcraft Apple GarageBand Appointment scheduling software Audacity Avid Technology Pro Tools Avid Technology Sibelius Blogging software Cantovation Sing & See Email software Facebook Financial tracking software Instagram iZotope Ozone MakeMusic Finale Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Word SAP software Snapchat TUBA software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.64/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.48/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.27/5)
  • Achievement/Effort (High importance: 4.26/5)
  • Persistence (High importance: 4.24/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Accompanist Bandperson Baritone Bass Player Bassoonist Bell Ringer Bugler Bull Fiddle Player Calliope Player Cantor Cellist Choir Accompanist Choir Member Choir Singer Chorister Church Musician Church Organist Church Pianist Clarinetist Collaborative Pianist Concert Pianist Concert Singer Cornetist Country Singer Double Bass Player English Horn Player Entertainer Entertainment Musician Flutist Gospel Singer Guitar Player Guitarist Harpist Horn Player Instrumentalist Jazz Musician Keyboard Player Keyboardist Musical Artist Musician Oboist Opera Singer Orchestra Musician Organist Percussionist Performer Pianist Piano Accompanist Piano Player Piccoloist Pit Musician Rap Artist Rapper Recording Artist Rock Star Saxophone Player Singer Singing Telegram Performer Solo Musician Soloist Songwriter Studio Musician Tenor Timpanist Trombonist Trumpet Player Trumpeter Violinist Violist Vocal Artist Vocal Performer Vocalist Worship Accompanist