When can you say you can 'play' an instrument?

I am writing this about the phrase.

"I can play the drums"
or
"I can play the clarinet"

At what point is the line drawn, e.g being able to play a few notes is technically playing the instrument, but to others they may see that as being able to flawlessly play any song.

 

Not sure. I used to learn how to play piano when I was really young. I could play a few famous songs. Looking back on it now, I would say that I could "play piano".

 

Being able to play to some extent without fucking up , Not just knowing a couple of notes. Ie knowing some tunes to play aswell as having some decent practice

 

I'm pretty sure you can play an instrument as soon as you know how to use it. How well you play it is a totally different thing

 

This, when most people say they play an instrument sometimes they add the not so well part, but regardless can still play.

 

I can play both bass guitar and the trombone. I was playing the trombone on and off for 3 years and I've been playing bass for 5 years and I've won awards with the bass.

 

to me it means when you can make a song off your head, or play any tune and know the instrument in and out. When you can play with your eyes closed and be almost one with your instrument.

 

Know how to play most of the notes and be able to play a song correctly either from sheet music or memory. Just the bare-essentials.

 

I'd say the difference is in how well you can play.

 

When you can do more than someone taking lessons..
I think..

 

When you can play infront of others without being embarrassed.