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to play music

English translation: Must include music

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:to play music
Selected answer:Must include music
Entered by: Mohamed Fouda

18:36 Mar 7, 2022
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters /
English term or phrase: to play music
You wanted to play at Jukebox, right?

This may seem silly and easy but it's tricky. Does playing music include singing? The person who's talking is directing this to a singer. I'm not sure if playing could include singing, too.

Thanks for your help!
Mohamed Fouda
Egypt
Local time: 05:07
Must include music
Explanation:
If you are only going to sing, then you would say that you are going to "perform" at a particular venue (not play). If "playing" is specified, then the playing of musical instruments definitely has to be involved, whether or not there is any singing.

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Note added at 1 hr (2022-03-07 20:05:49 GMT)
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If these words are directed to the singer, then perhaps that singer performs with a band.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2022-03-07 20:06:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

So, it is possible that the sentence can be understood in the plural:

You (guys) wanted to play at Jukebox, right?

Or it may be that the singer sings and also plays an instrument, such as the piano.
Selected response from:

Arabic & More
Jordan
Grading comment
Thanks, everyone!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +3Must include music
Arabic & More


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Must include music


Explanation:
If you are only going to sing, then you would say that you are going to "perform" at a particular venue (not play). If "playing" is specified, then the playing of musical instruments definitely has to be involved, whether or not there is any singing.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2022-03-07 20:05:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

If these words are directed to the singer, then perhaps that singer performs with a band.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2022-03-07 20:06:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

So, it is possible that the sentence can be understood in the plural:

You (guys) wanted to play at Jukebox, right?

Or it may be that the singer sings and also plays an instrument, such as the piano.

Arabic & More
Jordan
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 52
Grading comment
Thanks, everyone!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  ezpz: The notes you added, this is really the best one can offer. Without knowing the character's backstory, those are the 3 possibilities.
32 mins
  -> Thank you, ezpz!
agree  Yvonne Gallagher: yes, probably best to use "perform" as that covers all possibilities.
17 hrs
  -> True..."perform" could include both singing and the playing of musical instruments (in English, at least).
neutral  AllegroTrans: Could "Jukebox" be the name of a venue??
17 hrs
  -> Yes, I believe it definitely is, as indicated by the grammar of the sentence and confirmed by the Asker.
agree  Tina Vonhof (X)
19 hrs
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