Education · 1 of 4

The path

No licence and no exam. Skill, repertoire and a network of people who call you.

1. 1

   Start early

   Age 6 to 14

   Serious players usually begin lessons well before high school. Classical and jazz paths in particular are hard to start late.

2. 2

   High school

   Grades 9 to 12

   Music every year, school ensembles, youth orchestra or a band. Play in front of people constantly.

3. 3

   Training

   0 to 4 years

   A university music degree, a college performance diploma, private study with a strong teacher, or the band-and-basement route. All of these produce working musicians.

4. 4

   Build a working life

   2 to 5 years

   Take every gig, teach, record with other people, get known as reliable. Reliability gets more calls than brilliance.

5. 5

   Specialize or diversify

   Ongoing

   Audition for orchestras, chase session work, build your own act, or combine teaching with performing. Most people do the last one.