songwriters

Ercole de' Roberti: Concert, c. 1490

A musician is a person who plays or composes music. Musicians can be classified by their role in creating or performing music:

• A singer (or vocalist) uses his or her voice as an instrument.
• An instrumentalist plays a musical instrument.
• Both singer and instrumentalist can be improvisers, who create real time music.
• Composers and songwriters write music.
• A conductor coordinates a musical ensemble.

Musicians may also dance or produce choreography. The concept of the musician and the status of the musician in society varies from culture to culture.

The music industry is the industry that creates, performs, promotes, and preserves music.

The music industry is made up of: