When to use 手 and when to use 家 for a type of musician or other specialist Is it true that 家("jia")denotes perhaps greater competence or prestige, while 手(“手”) is a slightly less professional specialist? How can one know when to use one rather than the other?
Examples:
乐手-yuè shǒu       instrumental performer 
歌手-gē shǒu          singer
鼓手-gǔ shǒu          drummer
吉他手-jíta shǒu   guitarist 
音乐家-yīnyuè jiā  musician 
作曲家-zuòqǔ jiā   songwriter 
钢琴- gāngqín jiā     pianist
钢琴家 is not just any pianist; s/he is a piano virtuoso. I would reserve this for someone who has a career in music, especially in performance; or someone who has attained a very high level in the art of piano playing. 家 can be translated loosely as "an expert in ..." So you definitely do not use it for yourself. 手, on the other hand, can be used more generally for someone who plays a musical instrument.