Sound Engineer and Guitar Teacher Job Roles

Sound engineer

A sound engineer operates machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in venues such as arenas, theaters and for productions, recording studios, or movies and videos.

This job requires communication skills as they need to communicate with artists/performers and producers in order to determine what sound they would like to achieve. They need to show up to rehearsals on time and also need to be prepared for when their equipment doesn't work during live shows and know how to fix it. A good example of this is a gig I went to a few years ago where the microphone cut out and the artist couldn't get the attention of anyone to fix it.

They need to know how to mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards. They are who a lot of people rely on during shows, therefore need to be paying attention to know when to come in with certain effects and have to prepare and listen to others a lot before hand to know their cues and what to do at certain times.

They need to have the skills and knowledge to be able to set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances as well as take down equipment after the events.

This job is a very creative, hands on and productive job that requires many skills to be able to do properly and I can imagine it being quite stressful at times.

Guitar teacher

Guitar teachers are required to work at a variety of levels, teaching different musical skills to either individual students or groups.

They have to prepare and plan individual lessons and overall work schemes for pupils, know how to work with and teach individual and/or group lessons lasting from 15 minutes to an hour or longer, and incorporate elements of general musicianship, such as ear training and theory, and instrumental technique and interpretation. They also need to develop their knowledge of materials and repertoire to help students at different stages of their musical development. They need to be prepared to do lots or travelling to schools and student's houses.

Their working hours typically include after school, evenings and weekends, and may be irregular due to cancellations and rearrangements. There isn't any specific qualifications required to be a music teacher, however most have a degree of some sort.

The most important skills needed are teaching abilities, patience, perseverance and good communication skills, good self-management and organisational skills and the courage to be business-like when discussing money.