Do Musicians Work or Play? I’m a cellist and I’ve worked in music all my life…… or should it be  I’ve “played” music? It is interesting that we “play” musical instruments, we don’t “work” them and it is not just the English speaking world that “plays” rather than works. In  French the word is jouer and in German spielen.  Hard work is required to practice an instrument and prepare a concert but “playing” in its real meaning is never associated with drudgery or conscientiously doing one’s duty. For both children and adults “play” should  be carefree.  This doesn’t mean that “players” can’t  be serious at the same time. But there should always be an element of freedom, experimentation and hopefully, of joy. Otherwise why play? Dietrich Bethge, cellist, and director of London Octave Click HERE to see more blogs from Dietrich Bethge