奏者

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 奏者 (そうしゃ) is a noun for a person who performs on a musical instrument.
• Basic usage: It identifies an instrumentalist or performer onstage, focusing on the person rather than the act of performing.
  • 若い奏者が舞台でチェロを弾いた。 — A young musician played the cello onstage.
  • 曲が終わると、観客は奏者に拍手を送った。 — The audience applauded the performer when the piece ended.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Performer and performance
  • 演奏 names the act of performing music, while 奏者 names the instrumentalist. It does not normally serve as a broad label for singers.