How to Share Your Love of Songwriting by Pursuing a Career in Music Education

We don’t have to tell you how incredible music is. The benefits are endless and impossible to capture with words. Music connects us as people. It is known as the “universal language”. It’s calming. It’s healing. People even use music therapy to lower stress and treat mental health conditions.

But, again, as a songwriter, you undoubtedly already know all of that. Songwriters often have a passion for music that many others don’t possess. But, unless you manage to sell your songs to a famous musician or record label, you might not be able to rely on a career as a writer.

There’s nothing wrong with that. Many songwriters write for themselves or do it as a hobby. But, if songwriting alone isn’t scratching your musical itch, you might want to consider a career in music education. It’s a fantastic way to share your gift and passion with others, and fuel them with the tools and skills they need to discover how incredible music really is.

Why You Should Share Your Passion

Your love of songwriting and music, in general, had to start somewhere. Maybe you had parents who played you their favorite records. Maybe you were transfixed the first time you held a guitar or played the piano. Or, maybe you discovered music on your own and were immediately hooked, knowing it was what you had to do.

How great would it be to spark that kind of passion in someone else?

Not only can you inspire the next generation of songwriters and musicians, but with a career in music education you can provide young people with so many benefits, including:

• Language development
• Increased IQ
• Spatial-temporal skills
• Improved test scores

Studies have shown that even listening to music can lead to better learning while helping to lower anxiety. In today’s uncertain world, that can be more beneficial than ever for students who are feeling uneasy or overwhelmed.

No matter what age you want to teach, understand that by educating others about music, you’re doing so much more than showing them how to understand theory, write a song, or play a note. You will be teaching them important skills to get through life while doing what you love. If music has positively impacted your life, paying it forward is one of the best things you can do. Shaping young minds with songwriting, theory, or learning an instrument can change their lives (and may change yours in the process).

Why Music Education is Great for Songwriters

Do you want to be a better composer? Do you need extra inspiration? Or, do you want to make sure the next generation of songwriters can appreciate great music as much as you do? Whatever the case, becoming a music education teacher is a great option for songwriters.

First, you don’t have to “give up” on songwriting. Writers need to be challenged and they need to face different things throughout their lives. But, education and theory is just as important and can be as impactful for you as it is for your students. While you’re teaching others, you can also take the time to learn more for yourself.

Most music education faculty members (especially in higher levels) are composers and musicians. That’s because they are the ones who know how important the right techniques and sounds can be, and they are the ones who know the next generation will continue to inspire them.

So, while music education is extremely beneficial for students, it can also benefit you as a writer and keep you from feeling uninspired or stagnant.

How to Get Started

There are several paths you can take to get started in music education. If you want to teach at a higher level, you might consider becoming a professor. This can take several years since the qualifications include:

• A master’s degree in music
• A doctorate in a specific field of expertise
• Work demonstrating that expertise
• An ability to generate curriculum

Becoming a professor is hard work, but you will usually end up working with students who already have a passion for music and want to hone their skills and learn more.

If you want to teach at a lower level, you can become a high school music teacher, an elementary teacher, or even offer private lessons/tutoring from your own home or music studio. If you choose that option, you can decide what you want to focus on. Some students may want to learn how to write songs. Others might be focused on learning an instrument, like guitar or piano.

When you have a true love for music and songwriting, you should want to share it with as many people as possible. Becoming an educator in the field of music is a great way to do that. Plus, you may end up finding more inspiration than you ever thought possible.

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