How to become an Instrumentalist
Also called: Cellist, Drummer, Flautist, Flutist, Guitarist, Instrumental musician, Organist, Pianist, Saxophonist, Trumpeter, Violinist, Cellist
Instrumentalist plays one or more musical instruments as a soloist, accompanist or member of an orchestra, band or other musical group. He/she studies and rehearses scores, tunes instruments to the proper pitch, plays music by manipulating keys, bows, valves, strings or percussion devices, depending on the type of instrument being played. He/she may improvise or transpose music or compose or arrange music. In an orchestra, he/she is usually designated according to the instrument played such as violinist, drummer or pianist.
Main tasks
- Adapting or arranging music for particular instrumental or vocal groups, instruments or occasions
- Playing one or more musical instruments as a soloist or as a member of an orchestra or a musical group
- Practising and rehearsing to maintain a high standard of performance
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
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Questions people ask
Will AI change the work of an Instrumentalist?
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Sources
- International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
Updated 4 October 2026