What does a piano teacher do?
Piano Teachers are responsible for teaching piano lessons and sustaining student progress by explaining and demonstrating various piano techniques. They develop and execute class plans, and prepare course materials such as syllabi and homework assignments.
Piano teacher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real piano teacher resumes:
- Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
- Prepare students for auditions, recitals and competitions.
- Teach elementary school students after their schools -private tutor for mathematics, science and English
- Assist school directors with preparation for competitions and performances, and assist students in preparing music for say events.
- Challenge students to master basic math concepts through implementation of manipulative graphing, and charting exercises that develop problem-solving skills.
- Challenge students to master basic math concepts through implementation of manipulative graphing, and charting exercises that develop problem-solving skills.
Piano teacher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 39% of Piano Teachers are proficient in Music Education, EAR Training, and Pianos. They’re also known for soft skills such as Critical-thinking skills, Interpersonal skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Piano Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Music Education, 39%
Coordinated with the University of Washington Music Education Department, providing university students access to teaching experiences in the classroom.
- EAR Training, 17%
Instruct performance pieces, scales, chords, ear training and sight reading.
- Pianos, 6%
Provided piano instruction to students of all ages from elementary to advanced levels
- Voice Lessons, 6%
Teach children of various ages and levels piano * Responsible for day-to-day school operations * Substitute for guitar and voice lessons
- Suzuki, 5%
Attended numerous teacher-training programs through Suzuki Association of the Americas.
- Music History, 4%
Engaged students in discussions about music history and classical composers.
Most piano teachers use their skills in "music education," "ear training," and "pianos" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential piano teacher responsibilities here:
Critical-thinking skills. One of the key soft skills for a piano teacher to have is critical-thinking skills. You can see how this relates to what piano teachers do because "to conduct original research and design experiments, postsecondary teachers need to analyze information logically." Additionally, a piano teacher resume shows how piano teachers use critical-thinking skills: "helped students develop critical-thinking abilities by gaining an understanding of mathematics concepts. "
Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling piano teacher duties is interpersonal skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "postsecondary teachers need to work well with others for tasks such as instructing students and serving on committees." According to a piano teacher resume, here's how piano teachers can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "attained valuable interpersonal experience with younger children, especial early childhood development. "
Speaking skills. piano teachers are also known for speaking skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to piano teacher responsibilities, because "postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students." A piano teacher resume example shows how speaking skills is used in the workplace: "provided one-on-one tutoring sessions for over a dozen elementary-age youth in music theory and piano performance instructed in chinese to mandarin-speaking students"
Writing skills. For certain piano teacher responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "writing skills." The day-to-day duties of a piano teacher rely on this skill, as "postsecondary teachers need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what piano teachers do: "provided piano instruction to students age 4-16 assessed students' abilities providing feedback and writing reports. "
The three companies that hire the most piano teachers are:
- CARE2 piano teachers jobs
- The Boys' Club of New York2 piano teachers jobs
- KIPP DC1 piano teachers jobs
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Compare different piano teachers
Piano teacher vs. Director of instruction
The directors of instruction provide support to a faculty district associated with integrating technology into the curriculum and planning new instructional programs. These directors collaborate with other educational professionals like instructional designers, faculty members, and technology experts. The duties of these directors include managing of budget related to the areas of responsibility, serving as the district assessment coordinator, and coordinating assigned district programs. This position shows that directors are qualified to know school improvement strategies, experienced in developing a positive school climate, and excellent in the teaching and learning process.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a piano teacher are more likely to require skills like "music education," "ear training," "pianos," and "voice lessons." On the other hand, a job as a director of instruction requires skills like "curriculum development," "instructional design," "oversight," and "student learning." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Directors of instruction earn the highest salaries when working in the real estate industry, with an average yearly salary of $90,398. On the other hand, piano teachers are paid more in the media industry with an average salary of $55,390.On average, directors of instruction reach higher levels of education than piano teachers. Directors of instruction are 7.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 3.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Piano teacher vs. Performing artist
An art instructor is responsible for providing instructions on art activities, as well as preparing lectures about the art industry. Art instructors share techniques and keep a sufficient amount of art materials for practical use. They also evaluate students' art outputs and give them constructive feedback for development. An art instructor must encourage the students to boost their self-confidence about their craft and guide them to achieve their maximum potential. Art instructors must have excellent knowledge of the art industry, including its importance and history for the students' easy comprehension.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real piano teacher resumes. While piano teacher responsibilities can utilize skills like "music education," "ear training," "pianos," and "voice lessons," performing artists use skills like "private parties," "r," "poetry," and "facebook."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Performing artists tend to reach similar levels of education than piano teachers. In fact, they're 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Piano teacher vs. Dance instructor/assistant
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, piano teachers are more likely to have skills like "music education," "ear training," "pianos," and "voice lessons." But a dance instructor/assistant is more likely to have skills like "dance classes," "front desk," "dance techniques," and "dance studio."
When it comes to education, dance instructor/assistants tend to earn lower degree levels compared to piano teachers. In fact, they're 10.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Piano teacher vs. Art instructor
Types of piano teacher
Updated January 8, 2025
