Professional musicians include performers who sing and play musical instruments for the enjoyment of others, as well as composers, arrangers, conductors, and directors. They may work alone or in a group, either entertaining live audiences or recording in studios for television, radio, or film.

Musicians usually specialize in a type of music or performance, such as orchestra, band, jazz or rock. Many play more than one instrument to increase their versatility and employment opportunities. They may play string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments, or keyboards, such as acoustic piano, organ, and electronic synthesizers.

Singers are usually classified according to their vocal range and the type of music they sing, such as opera, rock, gospel, folk, rap, or country. Using their knowledge of voice, melody, and interpretation, they express ideas through music and, in some roles, also act out character parts.

Other career musicians work as composers, who write original music; arrangers, who adapt music for a particular group or style; conductors, who lead instrumental groups; and choral directors, who lead choirs and glee clubs.

Overall employment of musicians is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014. Most opportunities will be in religious institutions, and many will be part-time. Competition will be keen because many talented individuals are attracted to this profession. Success will be determined not only by talent, but versatility and the ability to subsist during long periods of unemployment between jobs.

Musicians must have musical talent, creativity, poise, stage presence, and strong self-discipline. Emotional stability is needed to face the anxiety of unemployment or rejections when auditioning, and physical stamina is important for those who frequently travel or work at night.

Musicians must be knowledgeable and skilled in the style of music they perform. Those who are skilled in more than one style or instrument will have the best job prospects. Technical ability may be helpful for songwriters who compose and edit music digitally and musicians who use electronic synthesizers.

Musicians need extensive practice and training to perform professionally. Many begin studying when they are very young and gain valuable experience in school bands, choirs, and small groups.

Continued training at a music conservatory or university music program may also be valuable for improving skills and learning musical theory, interpretation, composition, conducting, and instrumental and vocal instruction. A few musicians with unusual talent may enjoy great popularity and success without formal training, but they are very rare.

Musicians who teach music in elementary and secondary schools must have a bachelor’s degree, while those who teach at colleges and universities need more advanced degrees.

Musicians often perform at night and on weekends and must frequently travel. Music celebrities give concerts, make recordings and videos, and go on concert tours. Other musicians find opportunities in churches, restaurants, clubs, and local opera, musical comedy, and ballet productions. The Armed Forces also offer careers in various bands and small instrumental groups.

Most musicians make between $20,000 and $30,000 per year. However, salaries for orchestral musicians in larger cities tend to be a little higher--usually $20,000 to $50,000 to start, with the potential to earn up to $100,000. Very few musicians will achieve celebrity, but for those who do, salary potential will be even higher.

Due to the part-time, temporary nature of music performance jobs, most musicians find it necessary to supplement their incomes with other jobs while constantly seeking new leads. The resulting stress leads many to accept permanent, full-time jobs in other occupations or leave the field altogether.