Can you show me how to play it?

[Winwin2011]

A man was holding a strange musical instument at a party. A boy was pointing at the musical instruement and said "Sir, can you show me how to play?"

I think "play" is a transitive verb in the above context, it must has a direct object. I think he should say "Sir, can you show me how to play it?" Am I right?

Thanks.

 

[JMurray]

not a teacher

It would be more usual to say "…how to play it/that", but in casual conversation the question would be understood, especially as he's pointing at the instrument.

 

[Winwin2011]

not a teacher

It would be more usual to say "…how to play it/that", but in casual conversation the question would be understood, especially as he's pointing at the instrument.

Thanks JMurray

If the boy wasn't pointing at the instrument, do native speakers say "...how to play" in casual conversation?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Thanks JMurray

If the boy wasn't pointing at the instrument, do native speakers say "...how to play" in casual conversation?

No. We would normally say "how to play it".