Omission of definite article with musical instruments


What is the rule for omitting/including the definite article in the following sentences:



I used to play piano.
I used to play the piano.



I would pick the first sentence, but I've heard people say the second sentence even when they are not referring to a specific piano. Which one is correct?



Answer



They're pretty much equivalent.


That said, omitting the article has a slight feeling of playing with a group or orchestra, wherein the instrument is a synecdoche referring to the position the person occupied within the group.



I used to play the flute.
I used to play flute in the Civic Orchestra.



Omitting the article also can carry the feeling of playing an instrument in the general sense.



I play woodwinds.



In this case it would sound strange to use the article because you are speaking of a class of instruments.


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