playing a guitar

[tzfujimino]

Hello.

I'd like to ask if there's any difference between 'playing a guitar' and 'playing the guitar'.
I think the former focuses more on the musical instrument, while the latter focuses more on the music that's being played. Am I on the right track?
Thank you.

 

[bhaisahab]

It really depends on context. Please write some sentences showing how you want to use those phrases.

 

[tzfujimino]

Thank you, bhai.
Well, the question came to mind when I was reading this: https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/212781-Can-use-is-twicw-in-a-sentence

A boy is in front of you and you are describing what he's doing:
1. A boy is playing a guitar.
2. A boy is playing the guitar.

Is there any difference in meaning between the two sentences above?
Thank you.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Just to add confusion, there is also "playing guitar".

 

[bhaisahab]

Thank you, bhai.
Well, the question came to mind when I was reading this: https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/212781-Can-use-is-twicw-in-a-sentence

A boy is in front of you and you are describing what he's doing:
1. A boy is playing a guitar.
2. A boy is playing the guitar.

Is there any difference in meaning between the two sentences above?
Thank you.

No, no difference in meaning.

 

[tzfujimino]

I bought a nice guitar yesterday.
Now I am playing the guitar.

Is 'playing the guitar' above used correctly?
I'm talking about the specific guitar that I bought yesterday.
Thank you.

 

[bhaisahab]

It's correct, but it would be much more natural to say "I'm playing it now".

 

[tzfujimino]

Just to add confusion, there is also "playing guitar".

May I ask how you use 'playing guitar'?
Could it be used in the context of jazz or pop music?

Practical English Usage Third Edition (page 64)

[...] the is often dropped when talking about jazz or pop, and sometimes when talking about classical music.

This recording was made with Miles Davis on trumpet.
She studied oboe and saxophone at the Royal Academy of Music.

Thank you.

 

[MikeNewYork]

With musical instruments, articles are often unnecessary. I don't think the type of music makes any difference.

John plays guitar in a rock band.
Last Saturday, I was playing piano in an orchestra.

 

[bhaisahab]

My wife is a harpist (amongst other things) and, strangely enough, we always use the definite article with the harp.