奏者(そうしゃ)

奏者(そうしゃ) is the word for a person playing a musical instrument, used mainly of classical and ensemble musicians. It normally follows the name of the instrument (ピアノ奏者(そうしゃ), a pianist) rather than standing alone, and belongs to concert programs and reviews rather than casual speech.

Writing

奏(そう) (to play music) + 者(しゃ) (person)

Common collocations

• ピアノ奏者(そうしゃ) - pianist
• ギター奏者(そうしゃ) - guitarist
• 弦楽器(げんがっき)奏者(そうしゃ) - string player
• 管楽器(かんがっき)奏者(そうしゃ) - wind instrumentalist
• 打楽器(だがっき)奏者(そうしゃ) - percussionist
• 独奏者(どくそうしゃ) - soloist
• 奏者(そうしゃ)が演奏(えんそう)する - for a player to perform
• 奏者(そうしゃ)を務(つと)める - to serve as the player
• 一流(いちりゅう)の奏者(そうしゃ) - a first-rate instrumentalist

Similar words

• 演奏者(えんそうしゃ) - performer (more general)
• ～奏者(そうしゃ) can often be replaced with ～プレイヤー or ～イスト for instruments:
• ピアニスト, ギタリスト, etc.