A music teacher’s responsibilities vary depending on the types and ages of the students he or she instructs. For example, an elementary school teacher who works with large groups of students has a very different job than a classical violin instructor who works one-on-one with students. A music teacher’s job is to teach students both theoretical and practical applications of music, as well as relevant music history as it relates to the other subjects being taught in the class. As students get older and become more proficient in reading and playing music, the depth of their studies will increase.
Some of the most common music classes given to students throughout their elementary and middle school years are general music classes. A music teacher who teaches these classes will typically begin by providing students with an overview of the various types of music as well as the most important musical time periods and musicians throughout history. Students may be given simple instruments, such as drums or a recorder, and taught to play simple melodies by reading music, as part of these classes. Despite the fact that these classes are rarely in-depth, they are required in many schools.
A music teacher may also work as a band or choir director in a school. In this position, he or she will provide students with more in-depth instruction in reading music and playing musical instruments, usually over a few years. After spending time in band or choir, students often become very proficient at playing an instrument and reading music. These types of classes, as well as more advanced music classes offered to students as electives, will often provide more detailed instruction on music theory. These types of classes are commonly found at colleges and universities.
Another type of music teacher is the private musical instructor. This type of teacher is frequently hired by people who want to improve their voices for singing or who want to become experts at playing a musical instrument. Once a week, this music teacher will work one-on-one with students, providing specific instruction and exercises for them to complete. Personalized instruction can benefit everyone from beginners to those who are already proficient at playing a musical instrument; it can also be a good way to identify and correct any mistakes made while playing or singing.