What is the difference between a musician and someone who plays a musical instrument?

Same difference between a carpenter and someone who drives in nails.

nothing

A musician may have gone to college to get a degree in music. They have to study theory and composition, history of music, and have private lessons on their instrument, as well as other classes to inhance their music ablilties. Not all musicians are trained in colleges. There are self trained musicians.

A musician will make a living from music.

A musician will have to be successful in musical performance with their instrument.

Someone who plays an instrument is considered an amateur musician. They play for their own enjoyment.

Technically nothing, but "musician" implies someone who has a love for and dedication to music beyond someone who, for example, only played percussion in the school band.

A musician implies that they are more accomplished than someone who just plays the thing.

I guess musician is for someone who is professionnally doing music.
But both of them would be artists.

Playing notes does not make someone a musician, nor what they are playing music. It is how the notes are played that make them music. It is also the passion and artistry that makes one a musician.

In reference to your question, there is no difference.

But to further the example:
I'm a writer of music (Composer) as well as a musician.
Musician refers (especially one who PLAYS an instument).This person can also be considered like myself to be a COMPOSER. The word musician is mostly related and said on context, one who strictly plays and doesn't write music.

Anyone can strum a few cords in C at the top of a guitar fret board. A disciplined musician can improvise melodies with the cords by hitting individual notes while changing cord positions.

And who says semantics ain't about a trip?!
;-)

I know this is a trick question!
However, I'll proceed to answer...
Anyone who plays an instrument should know the scales, octaves and the many musical names of patterns and styles. If the person doesn't know, then they're just hobbyists.

Now, for the musician part...
He/She must have acquired experience and knowledge from their training.
A degree or certificate of authenticity, usually will suffice for the sake of training experience, but the musician him/herself usually obtains experience through live performances.

If this doesn't help in any way shape or form, then this was truly a trick question.

RADARLOVE