I play THE piano or I play piano?

Hi everybody!
There's one question I'd like to ask about the use of the article "the" before musical instruments.

Once I read that the form with the article (THE) was more common in one of the "Englishes" (British or American) but right now I can't remember which form is more common in BrE and which one in AmE.

Can you guys help me on that?

Is "Can you play THE guitar" more common in British or American English?

Thank you!
Oliveira

Can you play the guitar?

Can you play guitar in the concert?

In the movie "Lilo and Stitch" Lilo says "Elvis played guitar" =)

So my guess is that the one with the artcle is more common in British English and the one without the article in American English, but I'm not a native speaker.

Yes, the use of the article is more common in BrE.

Thank you guys for your support...

You can use both in AmE -- neither is particularly preferred over the other, as far as I know.

In my recent DVD, I found by chance three jazz musicians introduced themselves. Stanley Clarke said "I play bass", Patrice Rushen said "I played the piano" and Ndugu Chancler said "I play the drums".

''play the guitar'' means ''play this guitar''

>> ''play the guitar'' means ''play this guitar'' <<

I disagree.

In the general sense of "I know how to play the piano", both "I play the piano" and "I play piano" may be used, but I prefer "I play the piano" (I am from America, and play the piano).

But in certain more specific contexts, "I play piano" seems to be preferred. For example: "How do you make a living? - I play piano at the Waldorf." -- "I'm a member of the Philharmonic, and I play first oboe." -- "Which part do you play? -- I play bass" (as opposed to "Which instrument to you play? - I play the bass").

This could use some more looking in to.

>> In the general sense of "I know how to play the piano", both "I play the piano" and "I play piano" may be used, but I prefer "I play the piano" (I am from America, and play the piano).

But in certain more specific contexts, "I play piano" seems to be preferred. For example: "How do you make a living? - I play piano at the Waldorf." -- "I'm a member of the Philharmonic, and I play first oboe." -- "Which part do you play? -- I play bass" (as opposed to "Which instrument to you play? - I play the bass"). <<

I agree.