Tips when substitute teaching for a music teacher.

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While you’ve got a good handle on substitute teaching for academic classrooms, today you’re charting new territory and need a little advice on how to be a music teacher.

Okay then. To say that music has never been your “forte” would be like saying your cat isn’t very good at algebra. You, a music teacher? Let’s hope no one asks you to sing. The truth is, though, you can do it! Here we’ve got a few great tips for substitute teaching a music class — even if you don’t know anything about music.

How to be a music teacher substitute:

Follow the lesson plan.
Bring age-appropriate backup lesson ideas.
Choose a “student of the day” to lead warm-ups.
Set expectations.
Leave a note for teacher.

Follow the lesson plan.

Unless it’s a last-minute absence, the music teacher should provide the substitute teacher with a lesson plan. Don’t worry—teachers are fully aware that the substitute may not have formal music training. So, you generally don’t have to worry about providing detailed instruction regarding notation, keys, scales, chords, composition, and the like.

The lesson plan may include watching videos, listening to music, or simply give the students time to practice singing or playing. Depending on the grade level, they may be working on a certain song or musical piece, and they already know how to practice.

In some schools, the space dedicated to music is divided into several rooms, allowing students to practice in groups or even individually. Your job as a substitute teacher is to monitor the students so they stay on task.

When there is no lesson plan.

Finding out there’s an already-prepared lesson plan is music to your ears, but what if you’re left with nothing?

If you’re walking into school feeling as ready as a guitar without any strings, here are a few ideas for music class activities. Always consult with an administrator if no lesson plans are left for you:

Ask another teacher for suggestions. There may be more than one teacher in the music department. Depending on the size of the school and faculty, there may be separate teachers for band, orchestra, choir, music history, music theory, or instruction for individual instruments. They can give you some ideas.

Student of the Day. If you’re teaching older students, you can ask one of the top students to lead the class. They know the general routine and what projects the class is working on. If the students have an upcoming concert or performance, they can continue to practice for it.

Sing-along. For younger students, find some simple sing-along videos and have a fun singing session. Increase the fun by asking for volunteer soloists or having volunteers act out the song lyrics. You can also divide the class into groups, and have each group sing a part of the song—announcing a winning group after each performance.

Got Talent Showcase. Call it “[Name of school]’s Got Talent,” or something similar. Have the students show off their talents—singing or playing an instrument in front of the class.

Write your own lyrics. Ask each student to choose a favorite song, and then write their own lyrics to the melody. Any student who wishes can then read their composition to the class.

Play “Name that Tune”. Use YouTube or a streaming service to play the first two or three seconds of popular songs. See if anyone can guess the song. If no one guesses, play the next second or two, and so on. The student who guesses a song can choose the next one.

Watch a video. You might choose a biography about a famous composer, singer, or musician, or a documentary that explores the history of a specific genre, such as jazz, blues, country, rock, or rap. You can also find interesting documentaries about the history and development of specific musical instruments, or those that focus on music from other countries. Always ask an administrator if it’s appropriate before playing it. Leave time at the end of class for the students to share their offer observations about the topic.

One word: karaoke! Set up the rules before you start, you’ll want to make sure lyrics are appropriate!

If you keep a few of the above suggestions in mind, you don’t have to shy away from accepting music teacher jobs. Remember, experienced substitute teachers often keep a few possible lessons in their back pocket. You can even throw out a few suggestions and let the students choose.

A few more key notes.

Let students know you’re excited to be there and eager to see what they can do with their musical talents. Share if you have any talents.

Since music class is louder, often collaborative versus lecture-based, and perhaps a little less structured than other classes, it may take more effort to keep things under control. Make sure to establish a visual cue to bring the noise level down. You don’t want to yell!
Follow the school and classroom rules. As part of your introduction, let the class know that nothing has changed, and that you expect them to follow the rules.
The school’s policy about cellphones and technology should be provided to you, but if it isn’t, ask the administration.

Be sure to leave a report for the regular music teacher. They’ll appreciate knowing how the class went, what was covered, and any issues that arose. This shows your concern for both the teacher and students, and could lead to a personal request to have you back when that teacher is absent the next time. Don’t forget to leave praise, if the class or a student deserves it!

Grow as a substitute teacher with Kelly Education.

Now that you know how to be a music teacher substitute, Kelly Education has many more great tips for substitute teachers. Check out all our career advice so you can feel comfortable and confident in the classroom! Here are a few other topics in our library:

If you love working with kids and need flexible hours and part-time employment, substitute teaching could be just what you’re looking for! Fill out our short interest form, and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions. We’ll share more information about substitute teacher jobs with one of our school district partners in your area.

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