French music vocabulary spans a rich array of instruments, genres, and terms that reflect the country’s deep cultural heritage and contemporary scene. From classical roots to modern pop, knowing these words unlocks a better appreciation of music in any context.
- Instruments: la guitare (guitar), le piano (piano), le violon (violin), la batterie (drums), le saxophone (saxophone)
- Genres: le rock, le jazz, la pop, la musique classique (classical music), le rap
- Terms: une chanson (song), un concert (concert), le rythme (rhythm), la mélodie (melody), les paroles (lyrics)
Instruments
Musical instruments are central to any performance and are usually referred to in their masculine (le) or feminine (la) forms.
| French | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
| la guitare | guitar | String |
| le piano | piano | Keyboard |
| le violon | violin | String |
| la batterie | drums | Percussion |
| le saxophone | saxophone | Wind |
| la flûte | flute | Wind |
The violin (*le violon*) is a French word for a musical instrument.
le piano, la guitare, la batterie
Genres
Music genres describe the style or category of music. Many French genre names are similar to their English counterparts.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| le rock | rock |
| le jazz | jazz |
| la pop | pop |
| la musique classique | classical music |
| le rap | rap |
| la chanson | (French) song/ballad |
'le jazz' means 'jazz' in English.
le rock, le rap, la pop, le jazz
Terms
Essential music terms help describe performances, compositions, and experiences.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| une chanson | a song |
| un concert | a concert |
| le rythme | rhythm |
| la mélodie | melody |
| les paroles | lyrics |
| un album | an album |
| un musicien / une musicienne | a musician |
'Un concert' means 'a concert.'
le rythme, la mélodie, les paroles
Conclusion
French music vocabulary covers a diverse range of instruments, genres, and terms that enrich your understanding and enjoyment of music.
- Key categories: Instruments, genres, and essential terms
- Instruments have gendered articles: le (m), la (f)
- Many genres and terms are similar to English, aiding memorization