playing

playing — noun

1. the action or skill of performing music on an instrument, especially when consid

1.noun
Definition

the action or skill of performing music on an instrument, especially when considered as something that can be judged or admired

Example

Trang's playing of the violin has improved a lot since she started lessons.

possessive + playing + of + instrument

The audience was deeply moved by Esme's beautiful piano playing at the concert.

adjective + playing (beautiful piano playing)

Common collocations
  • beautiful playing
  • excellent playing
  • sloppy playing
  • piano playing
  • violin playing
  • playing style
  • playing technique
  • playing career
Synonyms
  • performance

    broader term; can refer to any public artistic presentation, not just instrumental music

  • rendition

    more formal; highlights the interpreter's personal approach to a piece

Grammar Patterns

[possessive] + playing + of + [instrument]

[adjective] + playing

Usage Note

Often used with a possessive adjective (his, her, their) or a proper name in the possessive form to specify whose performance is being discussed. The construction 'playing + of + [instrument]' is common.

Common Mistakes

I enjoy the playing of piano.
I enjoy playing the piano.
The noun 'playing' needs a possessive or determiner when talking about a specific person's performance.
His playing guitar is very loud.
His playing of the guitar is very loud.' or 'His guitar playing is very loud.
The noun form requires 'of' before the instrument, or use a compound like 'guitar playing'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words describe the act of presenting music to others, but they differ in scope and focus. 'Playing' is the most specific — it refers strictly to the physical act and technical skill of producing sound on an instrument. 'Performance' is broader, covering any live presentation including singing, acting, and dancing. 'Rendition' emphasises the personal choices a musician makes — the tempo, dynamics, and phrasing they apply to a piece. 'Interpretation' is the most intellectual of the four; it focuses on how the musician understands and conveys the emotional meaning of the music. For example, you might say: 'Wei's playing was technically flawless, but her interpretation of the slow movement felt cold.'

performance ↗renditioninterpretation ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • style of playing
  • level of playing
  • standard of playing

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'playing' comes from the Old English 'plegian' meaning 'to exercise, frolic, or perform music'. The noun form emerged in Middle English to describe the activity itself, with the specific musical sense appearing by the 15th century.