Musical instrument maker or repairer

You would make new musical instruments or repair ones that have been damaged so people can use them to make music.

You would usually specialise in one type, or family, of instrument, such as:

• Pianos

• String instruments including violins and guitars

• Brass instruments such as trumpets

You would:

• Work with a variety of materials including wood, metal, plastic and fibreglass, depending on the instrument

• Use traditional hand tools for working with wood or metal

• Use plastic, fibreglass and electronic parts for modern instruments like electric guitars and keyboards

• Build new instruments

• Repair or renovate damaged or worn instruments

• Replace damaged parts

• Tune instruments to make sure they produce high-quality sound

• Use finishing techniques such as polishing and varnishing

You could specialise in restoring or producing period instruments.

If you are self-employed, you would also be involved in promoting and selling your work and in running your business.

• Creative Choices - Help and advice for a career in the creative industry from Creative and Cultural Skills

• British Violin Making Association - membership organisation for people working in this field

• Institute of Musical Instrument Technology - professional body covering the whole of the musical instrument industry

• National Association of Musical Instrument Repairers - craft association for the profession of musical instrument repair

• Pianoforte Tuners' Association - Advice on becoming a piano tuner from the professional body for qualified tuners or technicians