DesignISCO 7312
Instrument technician
Instrument technicians assist and support musicians before, during and after the performance to ensure the instruments and the connected equipment, the backline, are setup properly. They maintain, check, tune and repair instruments and assist with quick changes.
Check yourself in a minute: instrument technician
Rate 5 of the 26 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
manage consumables stock
understand artistic concepts
tune instruments on stage
repair musical instruments
safeguard artistic quality of performance
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (26)
manage consumables stockmanage consumables stockManage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.understand artistic conceptsunderstand artistic conceptsInterpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.tune instruments on stagetune instruments on stageTune instruments during a performance. Deal with the added stress and noise. Use equipment such as tuners or tune by ear.repair musical instrumentsrepair musical instrumentsAttach new strings, fix frames or replace broken parts of musical instruments.safeguard artistic quality of performancesafeguard artistic quality of performanceObserve the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.maintain musical instrumentsmaintain musical instrumentsCheck and maintain musical instruments.prevent undesired changes to sound designprevent undesired changes to sound designAdapt your maintenance of sound equipment to prevent undesired changes in the sound balance and design, safeguarding the overall production quality.work safely with machineswork safely with machinesCheck and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.adapt to artists' creative demandsadapt to artists' creative demandsWork with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.perform soundchecksperform soundchecksTest the sound equipment of a venue to ensure smooth operation during the performance. Cooperate with performers to make sure the venue equipment is adjusted for the requirements of the performance. C...prepare personal work environmentprepare personal work environmentCorrect settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.use communication equipmentuse communication equipmentSet up, test and operate different types of communication equipment such as transmission equipment, digital network equipment, or telecommunications equipment.assemble performance equipmentassemble performance equipmentSet up sound, light and video equipment on stage before performance event according to specifications.translate artistic concepts to technical designstranslate artistic concepts to technical designsCooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.work safely with chemicalswork safely with chemicalsTake the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.draw up instrument setupdraw up instrument setupDocument musical instrument setup.work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionwork safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionTake the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.work with respect for own safetywork with respect for own safetyApply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.use technical documentationuse technical documentationUnderstand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.maintain sound equipmentmaintain sound equipmentSet up, check, maintain and repair sound equipment for a live performance establishment.prevent technical problems of musical instrumentsprevent technical problems of musical instrumentsAnticipate technical problems with musical instruments and prevent them where possible. Tune and play musical instruments for sound check before rehearsal or performance.store performance equipmentstore performance equipmentDismantle sound, light and video equipment after a performance event and store in a safe place.prepare instruments for performanceprepare instruments for performanceSet up, connect, tune and play musical instruments for sound check before rehearsal or live performance.set up equipment in a timely mannerset up equipment in a timely mannerMake sure to set up equipment according to deadlines and time schedules.
Optional (12) — show
prepare sound equipment on stageprepare sound equipment on stageSet up, rig, connect, test and tune audio equipment on stage.tune stringed musical instrumentstune stringed musical instrumentsTune any parts of stringed musical instruments that are off-key, by using various tuning techniques.prevent fire in a performance environmentprevent fire in a performance environmentTake steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are awar...advise client on technical possibilitiesadvise client on technical possibilitiesRecommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.organise resources for artistic productionorganise resources for artistic productionCoordinate human, material and capital resources within artistic productions, based on the given documentation e.g. scripts.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...rewire electronic musical instrumentsrewire electronic musical instrumentsRewire any lose wiring or solder any loose ends of electronic musical instruments.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...document your own practicedocument your own practiceDocumenting your own work practice for different purposes like assessment, time management, job application etc.tune keyboard music instrumentstune keyboard music instrumentsTune any parts of keyboard musical instruments that are off-key, by using various tuning techniques.tune up wireless audio systemstune up wireless audio systemsTune up a wireless audio system in a live situation.
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Frequently asked questions
What does an instrument technician do?
Instrument technicians assist and support musicians before, during and after the performance to ensure the instruments and the connected equipment, the backline, are setup properly. They maintain, check, tune and repair instruments and assist with quick changes.
What skills does an instrument technician need?
An instrument technician needs 26 essential skills, including manage consumables stock, work ergonomically, understand artistic concepts, tune instruments on stage, repair musical instruments.
Will AI replace instrument technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for instrument technician is 15/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep personal administration, manage consumables stock, use technical documentation. Most resilient: work with respect for own safety, prepare instruments for performance, understand artistic concepts.
AI Replacement Risk
15/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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