Instruments de musique
Do you play a musical instrument? Here are the most common ones, in French, along with the grammar you need to play them.
To play (the instrument) =
Jouer de (+
definite article + instrument). The normal rules about
de + definite article
contractions apply.
Par exemple …
to play the violin |
|
jouer du violon |
to play the guitar |
|
jouer de la guitare |
to play the viola |
|
jouer de l’alto |
to play the cymbals |
|
jouer des cymbales |
Keyboard instruments – Instruments à clavier
accordion |
|
l’accordéon |
(m) |
keyboards |
|
les claviers |
(m) |
organ |
|
l’orgue |
(m or f) |
piano |
|
le piano |
|
synthesizer |
|
le synthétiseur
le synthé |
(apocope) |
Percussion Instruments – Instruments de percussion
bass drum |
|
la grosse caisse |
|
brush |
|
le balai |
|
cowbell |
|
la cloche de / à vache |
|
cymbals |
|
les cymbales |
(f) |
drum |
|
le tambour |
|
drums, drum kit |
|
la batterie |
|
drumsticks |
|
les baguettes |
(f) |
pedal |
|
la pédale |
|
snare drum |
|
la caisse claire |
|
triangle |
|
le triangle |
|
Stringed instruments – Instruments à cordes
cello |
|
le violoncelle |
|
double bass |
|
la contrebasse |
|
guitar |
|
la guitare |
|
harp |
|
la harpe |
(h aspiré) |
viola |
|
l’alto |
(m) |
violin |
|
le violon |
|
Wind instruments – Instruments à vent
bassoon |
|
le basson |
|
clarinet |
|
la clarinette |
|
English horn |
|
le cor anglais |
|
flute |
|
la flûte |
|
French horn |
|
le cor d’harmonie |
|
harmonica |
|
le harmonica |
(h aspiré) |
oboe |
|
le hautbois |
(h aspiré) |
saxophone |
|
le saxophone |
|
trombone |
|
le trombone |
|
trumpet |
|
la trompette |
|
tuba |
|
le tuba |
|
Related lessons
Share / Tweet / Pin Me!

I’m trying to find an accurate English equivalent for the French word “monotone” as used by 20th century French composers such as Francis Poulenc
Bonjour David,
I have no idea; you could try asking in the forum: https://www.lawlessfrench.com/forum/lawless-french-forum/