Early-career music teachers are well placed to comment on the effectiveness of pre-service teacher education. Their perceptions are particularly relevant in determining why music teachers are "burning out" at an early stage of their career. This article explores how 15 early-career Australian music teachers perceive their job and their preparedness for the workforce. Their stories suggest that although they feel a "passion" towards teaching music, they regard their early experiences in secondary schools as a time when they will either "sink or swim", and when they see themselves as a "one-man-band". Analysis suggests that praxis shock in early-career music teachers is directly related to the unique experiences of being a music teacher. The article concludes with recommendations for pre-service courses to address issues of praxis shock in early-career music teachers. (Contains 5 notes.)