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Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

to play music

English answer:

Must include music

Added to glossary by Mohamed Fouda
Mar 7, 2022 18:36
2 yrs ago
29 viewers *
English term

to play music

Non-PRO English Other General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
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!
Responses
4 +3 Must include music
Change log

Mar 8, 2022 10:54: writeaway changed "Field" from "Art/Literary" to "Other"

Discussion

Tony M Mar 7, 2022:
@ Asker Ah OK! So then 'play' tends to suggest the singer is part of some kind of group who might 'play (and sing)'
Otherwise, for a singer, we might more normally say 'perform', rather than 'play (an instrument').
Mohamed Fouda (asker) Mar 7, 2022:
Jukebox is the name of the cafe they're performing at. And the singer is supposed to be working as a waiter there.
philgoddard Mar 7, 2022:
Presumably the singer has a backing band, and "you" is plural.
I assume Jukebox is the name of the venue.

Responses

+3
1 hr
Selected

Must include music

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.

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Note added at 1 hr (2022-03-07 20:06:46 GMT)
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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.
Peer comment(s):
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
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks, everyone!"