A music teacher is responsible for instructing students in the skills they need to become successful musicians in their own right. This includes the basics of teaching how to play an instrument, as well as fundamental musical concepts such as tempo, pitch, and rhythm.

A voice teacher instructs students in proper vocal technique. A vocal music teacher helps students learn to stay on pitch while singing and gives tips on finding the best songs to fit a student's voice. A private voice teacher works with only one student at a time, whereas a voice teacher in a school is responsible for directing a whole choir. An instrumental teacher in a school setting, such as a band or orchestra director, might be responsible for instructing students in more than one instrument, even if they are not extremely familiar with how to play every instrument in the entire band.

There are many differences between teaching at the elementary or middle school level and at the high school level. At most schools, choir or band are not required subjects in high school. Therefore, older students are often more serious about studying and improving than younger students, as they choose to enrol in the class. Younger students need more guidance during their lessons, and need more focus on the fundamentals as they are simply not as experienced as the older students.

Additionally, a teacher must evaluate and grade students' performance, which often occurs through the use of recitals and performances, and he or she must give the students feedback about how to improve their skills.