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Glite Dictionary
band player

band player

1 2.5
A person who plays an instrument in a band, for example a military band
  • noun
translation icon : músico de banda
  • Every band player must attend rehearsals twice a week.

Examples

  • The band player performed beautifully at the concert.

  • The band player tuned her trumpet before the big parade.

  • Ever since he was a child, he dreamed of becoming a band player in the army.

  • Many band players joined the parade last weekend.

  • The band player impressed the audience with his skilled trumpet performance.

  • Every Saturday, the band player practices with his fellow musicians at the community center.

  • The band player received praise for his contribution to the military parade.

Synonyms

musician
vsband player
644 1.8

A person who plays or writes music for others

is narrower, referring only to instrumental ensemble members, often military
player
vsband player
219 2.2

A person who performs music on an instrument for a living

is specific to performers within ensembles, often in military contexts
drummer
vsband player
171 1.1

A person who plays drums in a band

is broader, covering any instrument in the group rather than drums only
bassist
vsband player
20 3.6

A musician who plays the bass guitar or double bass in a band

is broader, covering any instrumental role in the ensemble not only bass
instrumentalist
vsband player
5 5.3

A person who plays a musical instrument, often as a job

is used for ensemble members specifically, not all instrumental professionals
bugler
vsband player
4 7.2

A person who plays a small metal horn in the military or at ceremonies

is broader, naming instrumental members rather than that single ceremonial role
sideman
vsband player
  • Jargon
2 5.4

A musician who plays with a band but is not the main performer

is the general term for an ensemble member without implying role status
bandsman
vsband player
  • UK
1 6.6

A person who plays an instrument in a band, often in the military

is the gender-neutral term for an instrumental member of such ensembles
bandswoman
vsband player
  • UK
7.5

A woman who plays in a band, often a military band

is the gender-neutral term for instrumental members in those ensembles
fifer
vsband player
9.3

A person who plays a small high flute in a military band

is general, covering any instrument rather than that specific flute

Surface Forms

band player singular
band players plural

Morphology

band + player

The meaning 'a person who plays a musical instrument in a band' is directly and compositionally derived from 'band' (an ensemble of musicians) + 'player' (someone who performs on an instrument). This simple noun–noun compounding pattern is common cross-linguistically and follows standard English morphology, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Band player comes from the picture of a marching group: a band (musicians together) and a player (someone who plays an instrument). So, a band player is 'a person who plays a musical instrument in a band, especially in a military band'.