According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings. | 93% |
| Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment. | 93% |
| Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest. | 92% |
| Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music. | 92% |
| Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group. | 91% |
| Observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation. | 91% |
| Memorize musical selections and routines, or sing following printed text, musical notation, or customer instructions. | 91% |
| Play musical instruments as soloists, or as members or guest artists of musical groups such as orchestras, ensembles, or bands. | 88% |
| Sight-read musical parts during rehearsals. | 87% |
| Play from memory or by following scores. | 86% |
| Practice singing exercises and study with vocal coaches to develop voice and skills and to rehearse for upcoming roles. | 83% |
| Research particular roles to find out more about a character, or the time and place in which a piece is set. | 80% |
| Listen to recordings to master pieces or to maintain and improve skills. | 78% |
| Learn acting, dancing, and other skills required for dramatic singing roles. | 77% |
| Teach music for specific instruments. | 76% |
| Provide the musical background for live shows, such as ballets, operas, musical theatre, and cabarets. | 75% |
| Audition for orchestras, bands, or other musical groups. | 74% |
| Seek out and learn new music suitable for live performance or recording. | 70% |
| Make or participate in recordings in music studios. | 68% |
| Promote their own or their group's music by participating in media interviews and other activities. | 68% |
| Transpose music to alternate keys, or to fit individual styles or purposes. | 66% |
| Direct bands or orchestras. | 65% |
| Compose songs or create vocal arrangements. | 65% |
| Make or participate in recordings. | 64% |
| Arrange and edit music to fit style and purpose. | 63% |
| Improvise music during performances. | 62% |
| Collaborate with a manager or agent who handles administrative details, finds work, and negotiates contracts. | 60% |
| Compose original music, such as popular songs, symphonies, or sonatas. | 57% |
