Astrolab
← Professions

Musician

Performs or writes music — on stage, in the studio, or for film and games.

In short

People who love music deeply, are disciplined in practice, and can handle an irregular schedule.

A day in the life

Rehearses a lot, learns and polishes pieces, performs or records, and works on their sound.

Who it fits

People who love music deeply, are disciplined in practice, and can handle an irregular schedule.

Try it in a week

  1. Watch 2–3 “a day in the life of a Musician” videos to see the real day-to-day, not the job-post version.
  2. Take a free intro course to find out whether the topic clicks before you spend money or time on it.
  3. Find someone doing it on LinkedIn or an industry group and ask 5 pointed questions: the daily grind, the money, and how they got in.
  4. Over a weekend, finish one small piece and show it to someone — a finished result matters more than a perfect one.
Check if it fits me →

How to get there

Music 50.0901· Bachelor's degree
What to take
High school diplomaAudition required by most programsSAT or ACT (often test-optional)Common App essay
Explore programs ↗
Timeline
  1. Aug Build your college list and start your essays (summer before senior year)
  2. Oct FAFSA opens (typically Oct 1) - apply for federal financial aid
  3. Nov Early Action / Early Decision deadlines (many schools)
  4. Jan Regular Decision deadlines (often Jan 1-15)
  5. Mar Admission decisions arrive (mid-March to early April)
  6. May National College Decision Day - commit and pay your deposit

Approximate pathways. Requirements and test policies vary by state and school - always verify on the college's or program's official site.

Frequently asked

How do you become a Musician?

Most often through these fields: Music. See specific programs and requirements in the “How to get there” section below.

Who is this profession a good fit for?

People who love music deeply, are disciplined in practice, and can handle an irregular schedule.