To Be Able To Say You "play" An Instrument..., ...what level must you have achieved? Options

[july]

Hello!
The question of the definition of "playing" an instrument has recently come up and I wanted to know what you think.

Apologies if I've forgotten an important step.

The poll builds up, i.e. I assume that being able to play pieces in different octaves, the person will also be able to play pieces using dynamics etc.

Charlotte :)

[Noodelz]

I would have thoght that playing an instrument would mean just making some sounds but knowing what your doing, I suppose that could be defined as playing a tune though.

[contick87546]

well i never realy thought of my self as a cellist until my teacher said i was grade 1 standard

[Helen]

Being able to play musically, and being technically competent.

[sarah-flute]

How technically competent though? Grade 1? Grade 5? Diploma?

I think for instance it's more true to say of, for instance, guitar, one which I can play a few simple scales, some chords, and a few pieces, that I play it badly than that I don't play it! Demonstrably, I do play it - I am just not at all good!

I put the 4th option: I think to be able to play pieces musically (even if the pieces themselves are very simple) shows you have at least some technical graps of the instrument, as it's hard to play musically if you are not comfortable technically at whatever level you are playing at :)

[**^-^Steinway & Strings^-^**]

Hnmmm^.^ , very hard question, I will agree with Helen but I think arround the level of grade3 perhaps. So I can *play two instruments. :lol:

[Gae]

Anyone who can play an instrument can "play" an instrument. The question then is what level they are at and whether they are good or bad at playing.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is that the question is irrelevant.

Gae

[zoda]

I think logically speaking Gae must be right. I suppose anyone can "play" the piano in the sense that they can get a sound out of it by depressing a key. So presumably July's question is getting at something else, but what that is needs clearer definition. eg. how good would you have to be before you would say in conversation to a stranger that you "play the piano". I think most people who are merely capable of producing sound would not claim to be able to play the piano. Others at a beginner level might say they play a little, but qualify that by explaining that they are a learner. I think if you can sit down and play, however simple, a piece that someone might conceivably enjoy listening to, then you can play in that sense. Which I suppose means that for a cute 4 year old to claim they can play an instrument might mean something different from a full grown adult making the same claim.

[july]

So presumably July's question is getting at something else,  but what that is needs clearer definition.  eg.  how good would you have to be before you would say in conversation to a stranger that you "play the piano".

Yes, that is what I meant. For example, even though I am quite capable of pressing a key on a piano, I would note say that I can play the piano. Everyone can get a not out of the piano. But then again I know loads of people who cannot get a sound out of the flute <_<. I'm sorry, this really is a difficult question, and probably one that should be considered for each instrument separately.

[MattD]

I'd say when you can read the music and relate the positions of notes on the stave to positions on the instrument, and produce the right sound.

Or if you don't read music, when you can produce the intended sound from the instrument, in a melody or otherwise.

[sarah-flute]

when you can produce the intended sound from the instrument, in a melody or otherwise.

in which case I can play tuba!

(merrily we roll along, badly... :))

[MattD]

Hmm...and I guess practically anyone could play drums!

...sounds about right! :ph34r:

[CrazyDudette22]

I'd say you have to play the simple pieces on the instrument with dynamics, phrasing, etc. But then that would mean I can play the recorder, but I practically rubbish on the recorder!! :P (Mainly because I'm self taught...)

[bohemian]

Hmm...and I guess practically anyone could play drums!

...sounds about right! :ph34r:

Oh haha very funny. Try it for yourself before you say that. Learning all 42 rudiments isn't so easy...

Loads of people voted for the "play pieces with dynamics and phrasing". Well, I think that's more whether you're musical in general than whether you are capable on one instrument. You could make a horrible sound and get a load of notes wrong and not even have a good knowledge of the instrument and achieve this.
I could say I "play" the sax because I can bash out a few tunes and they sound reasonable, people can guess what I'm playing etc, but does that make me a saxophonist? Nope.
I think the opinion of other musicians who play that particular instrument in question is most important. But good question!!

[sarah-flute]

I'd say there's a difference between getting a note out of and being able to play. If the criteria is I can get a note that sounds something like it is supposed to then I play about twice as many instruments, and don't own most of them!