Most instruments are played, but in German in times of old lute and organ had a special word: schlagen, the same as in to beat a drum.
How is it in English? My dictionary gives for schlagen: to beat, to hit, to dash, to bang. But to translate the title of Dürer's famous sketch of a captain to the delicious lutebanger sounds a little bit odd for me.
Any answer should be accompanied by a reference, please.

A Merry Christmas to you all
Wilfried