Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
•   Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
•   Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
•   Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Working Life

Musical instrument technicians design, make, repair, maintain and restore musical instruments. As the work is highly skilled, it is usual to concentrate on a particular type or group of instruments. Typical specialisms include keyboards, strings or fretted instruments, woodwind, brass, percussion or electronic instruments.  
Some technicians specialise still further by concentrating on reproducing and restoring period instruments.  
 
The work varies according to the particular instrument being made. In order to make a new instrument, the technician designs an instrument according to a customer's requirements. They use their drawings and plans to help them cut, shape and put together materials such as metal, wood and plastic.
Other tasks may include:

• advising clients on the care and handling of an instrument
• finding faults in instruments
• replacing or repairing damaged parts
• using finishing techniques such as cleaning and varnishing
• tuning the instrument.

Some work may take a few days, while other work, for example restoring a fine instrument, may take more than a year.  
 
Musical instrument technicians usually work in a workshop. They use a variety of hand and machine tools, and measuring devices. They may need to sell the instruments that they make. May also sell new and second-hand instruments and their spare parts as well as sheet music.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Play instruments to evaluate their sound quality and to locate any defects.
• Adjust string tensions to tune instruments, using hand tools and electronic tuning devices.
• Reassemble instruments following repair, using hand tools and power tools and glue, hair, yarn, resin, or clamps, and lubricate instruments as necessary.
• Disassemble instruments and parts for repair and adjustment.
• Repair or replace musical instrument parts and components, such as strings, bridges, felts, and keys, using hand and power tools.
• Inspect instruments to locate defects, and to determine their value or the level of restoration required.
• Compare instrument pitches with tuning tool pitches to tune instruments.
• String instruments, and adjust trusses and bridges of instruments to obtain specified string tensions and heights.
• Polish instruments, using rags and polishing compounds, buffing wheels, or burnishing tools.
• Repair cracks in wood or metal instruments, using pinning wire, lathes, fillers, clamps, or soldering irons.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Most students train by attending a full-time specialist college course usually lasting two or three years. Courses provide students with practical experience in their chosen field and include both individual and group projects.  
 
Course instructors are usually professional instrument makers and repairers. Courses cover topics including music theory, acoustics, instrument design, technical drawing, mathematics, instrument history and restoration. Some relevant courses are provided in the UK.  

Pathways into working as a Band Roadie or Music Tech are varied.Previous knowledge of music performance and sound will be an advantage.  For music backline & touring support, moving and lifting equipment, and rigging are likely to form a significant part of the job.

The nature of the Music & Performing Arts sector is such that finding jobs will likely rely on networking within the music industry.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: sound, digital media, broadcast production, group facilitation, training, safepass, manual handling.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: music performance, music production, sound engineering, musical instrument making repair, music technology.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: arts, music, technology, audio, music production, music technology.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: arts, music, education, teaching, music composition.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €60k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role. Salaries can vary based on production or bespoke items or maintenance. 

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Talent/ DEASP

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Artists; Authors; writers; translators; Actors; entertainers; presenters; Dancers; choreographers; Musicians Arts officers; producers; directors; Photographers; audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators; Graphic designers Product; clothing and related designers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

• Institute of Musical Instrument Technology

  • Click Here