Musical instrument maker and repairer

Career path and progression

If you work for an instrument making and repair business, you may be able to become a workshop supervisor or manager.

You could also move into product development, buying, sales or training, or specialise in the restoration of antique instruments.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to repair and test the performance of instruments
• persistence and determination
• customer service skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• problem-solving skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Music - Musical instrument makers and repairers need a deep understanding of how instruments produce sound, including tone, pitch, and tuning. Being able to play the instrument they work on helps them judge whether a repair or build has been successful and meets the quality a musician would expect.
• Design and Technology - Musical instrument makers and repairers use traditional hand tools and workshop techniques to shape, join, and finish materials like wood, metal, and plastics. Skills in woodworking, model making, and understanding how to work with different materials are central to building and repairing instruments.
• Physics - Musical instrument makers and repairers need to understand acoustics – how sound waves are produced, amplified, and shaped by the materials and structure of an instrument. This knowledge helps them make precise adjustments to achieve the right tone and resonance.
• Art and Design - Musical instrument makers and repairers apply finishing techniques like polishing, varnishing, and decorative inlay work that require a strong eye for aesthetics and fine detail. Restoring or reproducing period instruments also demands an understanding of visual design and historical craftsmanship styles.

Also relevant

• Mathematics - Musical instrument makers and repairers use precise measurements and proportions when cutting, shaping, and assembling components. Understanding ratios and geometry is important for getting the dimensions right, which directly affects how an instrument sounds and plays.
• Chemistry - Musical instrument makers and repairers work with varnishes, lacquers, adhesives, and other finishing materials, and need to understand how these substances behave and interact with different woods and metals. Knowledge of material properties helps them choose the right products for durability and sound quality.
• Business - Musical instrument makers and repairers often work as self-employed craftspeople or run small workshops. Understanding how to manage finances, price their work, and build a client base is important for sustaining a career in this specialist trade.
• History - Musical instrument makers and repairers who restore or reproduce period instruments need to understand the historical context in which those instruments were originally made. Knowing about different eras of craftsmanship and musical tradition helps them produce authentic restorations.
• Electronics - Musical instrument makers and repairers sometimes fit electronic components such as pickups, amplifiers, and wiring to instruments like electric guitars. Understanding how electronic circuits work helps them install and troubleshoot these parts effectively.