Is being a music teacher a good career? I started play piano when I was 14, will my skills be good enough by the time i`m out of colledge to get a job? Thanks

I don`t if this is the same where you live, but where I live you have to have passed Grade 8 in piano to teach. As for weither being a music teacher is good career choice or not, it all depends on where you want to go with. Private teachers are alright (by that I mean the pay, depending on how many students and what you charge, can be good). If you want to teach at a school then that would definately be better, but you need to go to college or university for that.

I want to teach in a school. I keep hearing about these grade things, what are they?

Being a music teacher at a school is definitely a good choice. The main thing you have in being a school band teacher is job security. You get a very good starting salary, and it only goes up from there. It is also very very difficult to get fired from a teaching job. Unless you do something illegal...

However, I do believe that you will have to learn a woodwind/brass instrument in order to become a school band teacher. I`m not sure exactly what the requirements are, as I`m graduating next schoolyear.

If you truly believe that this is what you want to do, then go for it!

Piano grades tell you what level of playing you are at. Usually they each take a year to complete, at the end of each grade you take a test to see if you can go on to the next grade. The tests include playing a piece and a written music theory test. Grades 1-2 are considered beginner level, grades 3-5 easy piano level, grades 5-7 intermediate level, and grade 8+ advanced level. The reason I included Grade 5 in both easy and intermedate playing levels is because it is considered a boarder line grade between the two levels.

When I first started taking piano I took up to grade 5 then I quit for a year when I went back they tested me to see if I could take the intermedate grade 5 because I never fully completed grade 5, if I had I could`ve just went to grade 6. I did get to take the intermedate piano part of the course though. Intermedate grade 5 piano is usually the last part of the grade 5 course. Hope this wasn`t too confusing!

well right now im 14, ive been teaking piano lessons for 10 years and just started to teach this year.hrmm, i think it would be easier to teacher piano then become a music teacher if u just started at 14. youll need alot more then just piano to be a music teacher though... usually schools want someone who plays a variety of instruments. You should probly work on getting you grade 6-8 piano, and learn the basic instruments for schools. (trumpet, clarinet, sax, and flute) i think youd have to get a teaching thing in university and do music in it to, but im not to sure about that.perhaps you should ask you music teacher about that.
And you need at least your grade 8 in piano to start teaching piano.(everywhere) I probubly wasnt much help to you, so srry. Good luck
Jen
Nova

I would like to teach general/choral music (history/basic theory, ect.)

ohhhh, i thought you wanted to become like a band teacher. lol.

If u teach in a music scjool, here`s how they allocate students to you(generally):
Your Qualifications:
Grade 8(minimum)- only allowed to teach from beginners to grade 5 at most.
Associate Level/Degree-eligible to teach beginners to grade 8.
Licentiate Level/Degree-eligible to teach till Associate.
Fellowship-all of the above.
Artist Diploma/Masters/Doctorate-Music Colleges.

cool

Yeah sure, teachers get really great salarys (like teaching theory), but if you just want to teach private lessons, like on piano, i would suggest that could be a side job. Because that`s what my music teacher does, he`s a scientist, but teaches saxophone on side.

Teachers get really great salaries? Do you mean music teachers or just teachers in general?

You can go straight to grade 8 without doing the earlier grades but they can still ask you any of the theory questions from any earlier levels.

Oh right, sorry. Music theory teachers. I was wondering because teachers (in general) get paid really badly... or so they say.

I think you`re wrong on that.Teaching music is good money.
Of caz, if u only teach in music schools, than your pay will be less rewarding, caz they go by commission. ( but at least u don`t have to worry about students intake. )
But if u have a music studio of your own, and have a good reputation and profilic teaching career, students and parents alike just flock to u.
But the down side of teaching in your own studio is that it takes time to `accumulate` students. But if you do a good job and is really dedicated to your teching, then all sort of recommendations just start pouring in.
And remember, being in the music business doesn`t mean that u can only tech piano.
You can work as an accompanist to string players ( esp during their practical exam time), and u can teach theory to band /string or music schools. Or even better, if you`re really specialise, u can teach Associate Theory or Licentiate Theory to people taking the Trinity Diploma programme.
I started out teaching piano, but alot of opportunities soon came in.
Today I`ve taught not just piano, I`ve taught in Colleges for mass Theory, String Ensembles, Choir, Handbells and Chimes, and even play as a resident accompanist.
If you put your heart into doing something, then don`t worry about what lies ahead, for often it proves to be better ( but takes time of caz ).
And don`t forget, u have to be initiative and spontaneous when the opportunity comes. BTW, U have to be equipped with reliable sightreading as well. In fact, the better your sightreading, the more chances you have in trying different things besides teaching piano.

so is it a good job?