奏者|そうしゃsousha[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nouninstrumentalist; player
   オーボエ奏者そうしゃなんかは自分じぶんにあうリードを探さがすより作つくった方ほうが速はやいと、自分じぶんで作つくってしまう人ひともいる。↗

   Heck, with oboe players there are those who, rather than search for a reed that suits them, find it faster to make their own.

• SynonymプレイヤーNeutralLoanword for a performer, but also athletes and media players; 「奏者」 is mostly a suffix for instrument players, and in old times meant one who relayed petitions.
• Synonym楽器演奏者がっきえんそうしゃWrittenWritten/formal prose for an instrumentalist, said plainly; 「奏者」 is the more concise option.
• Synonym演奏家えんそうかFormalFormal term for a professional musician who performs for a living; 「奏者」 does not stress a professional career.
• Synonym演奏者えんそうしゃNeutralNeutral word for a performer with the same range; 「奏者」 is more often attached to an instrument name.
• Related楽人がくじんFormalFormal word for a musician, especially a Gagaku player or a member of such a family; 「奏者」 is broader in scope.
• Related楽師がくしFormalFormal word for a professional musician; in old times also an official of the Gagaku office who taught music. 「奏者」 is more common.

For someone who plays an instrument, 「〜奏者」 is the default, as in 「バイオリン奏者」. Use 「演奏家」 for professional musicians, 「演奏者」 for performers in general, 「楽人」 for Gagaku musicians, and 「プレイヤー」 as the loanword.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 天子てんしに奏上そうじょう、取り次とりつぎをする者もの。
2. 楽器がっきを演奏えんそうする者もの。演奏者えんそうしゃ。