Musician

OFO No: 265203

Other names for Musician:

What is a Musician?

Do you dream of performing your favorite music in front of an audience? Are you talented at playing one or more instruments? If yes, consider becoming a professional Musician!

Professional Musicians earn a living playing in front of audiences either solo, in duets, bands, or symphonies. 

Some solo Musicians are self-employed and play and sing in restaurants, at functions like weddings, corporate events, private parties etc while band-musicians may also play at these venues, some successful bands may go onto playing live concerts at large arenas. 

More classically trained Musicians may find themselves playing jazz or in an orchestra which may play live for ballets, operas or just a concert for the love of classical music. 

In some cases, Musicians also become music teachers.

Drumming has become quite popular as a corporate team-building event.  These drumming Musicians will stage special activities and exercises for companies to help build moral.
Some Musicians will have the ability to compose music and could spend hours writing or improvising musical compositions.

As a Musician one has the ability to be creative through the music that they perform. They have the ability to play not only their own compositions but to play scores composed by other famous and not so famous composers.

Performers usually start training early on in life and have dedicated much of their time spent studying music.

One does not need to have had professional training to become a Musician.  There have been many famous and talented Musicians who were self-taught, however, study is recommended to develop your talent to its fullest potential.

A university degree or conservatory degree is required to teach music in schools.

What does a Musician do?

• practices, practices, practices – daily
• goes to auditions for shows, bands, symphonies, or other musical groups
• meets with club owners, clients etc to discuss their requirements
• provides musical background for live shows
• records own music
• promotes music through social media
• compose songs
• directs bands, orchestras, choirs
• networks with potential venue owners

Are you … ?

• gifted in music?
• creative?
• willing to spend many hours practicing?
• willing to travel?
• willing to work late at night?
• able to work in a team?
• someone who likes performing in public/has stage presence?
• physically fit?
• disciplined?

How do I become a Musician?

To become a professional Musician – you will need more than a bucket load of talent, a will to practice and practice, lots of patience and dedication is a necessity!

It’s not easy to become recognized Musician, but hard work and perseverance will get you there in the end.

To start – you can take up music subjects at school.  If your school does not have music – join a club or community music group in your area.

Try to teach yourself to read music and begin practicing on a guitar or recorder or any other musical instrument as soon as you can.  The more you practice – the better you’ll get!

Once you master the instrument – maybe you can get a part-time job playing in a restaurant, or at your school or at a friend’s birthday party etc. 

The more people who hear you and like your music, the more likely someone else will book you for an event.  This is how you will jump start your career as a Musician.

PATH 1

Certificate in Music

• University of Cape Town UCT
• UNISA
• University of Stellenbosch

PATH 2

Diploma in Music

PATH 3

National Diploma in Music

Bachelor of Technology in Music (BTech)

PATH 4

Bachelor degree in Music

• Can be done at some universities, eg: UCT

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

Here are some other places you can study music:

• CAMPUS OF PERFORMING ARTS:  (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Kwa-Zulu Natal)

For accreditation credentials: 

You can study the following instruments at COPA:

Guitar
Bass Guitar
Drums
Vocals
Keyboards

• SOUTH AFRICAN COLLEGE OF MUSIC:  (UCT)

The South African College of Music offers training in a range of orchestral instruments, piano, voice, African music and jazz.
Various Bachelors of Music as well as a wide range of music diplomas can be done.  See website below for options as well as minimum requirements needed to be accepted at the SACM.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Musical Arranger … or …  Sound Engineer … or … Composer

Is becoming a Musician the right career choice for me?