Many people feel that the French language is romantic. And many people feel that the violin is a romantic musical instrument. Learning the French language is like learning to play a musical instrument. There is a special kind of way the words string together and connect – kind of like singing or making music. When a violinist plays the violin, it is like a special voice is singing, as well. There are some who have natural talents and take to learning a second language easily. They have high pitch discrimination and can hear the little sounds that make a language come together. Or maybe they have a good memory. Words and images just stick in their heads. Others just work really hard. Many musicians can hear the music in their heads, remember the sounds in their fingers – their muscle memory – and put it all together to make great music.

People have different ways of starting to learn a musical instrument like the violin, piano, or clarinet. Our elementary school would have a day out at the National Symphony, meet the conductor, and then try some instruments – learning to play a cello, holding a violin. The Pandemic has made it difficult to offer these interactive experiences. Then, some people just start very young. Joshua Bell, the great classical violinist, started at a really young age by attaching strings or rubber bands to the drawers of a dresser and strumming them. His mom quickly got him a violin and started him out with lessons. One time in the violin shop, Bropst, I witnessed a little 4 year- old boy play a piece on a tiny violin. It was like magic. Some people can hear the music in their heads and then compose songs or whole symphonies. Some people, when they hear music can see whole choreographed dances and colors. Learning the French language has a special kind of intonation and musicality to it. And often it helps to “picture” the words.

But it is certain that for a person to learn and master a language or a musical instrument they much focus and give it their full attention. I remember the first time I met Joshua Bell at the Strathmore in Maryland. I was a tour guide with a group of talented high school students who wanted to be classical musicians and conductors. We were touring the city, visiting the monuments and memorials. The long day finished with a concert. We were all waiting in a large room for Mr. Bell to arrive. We chattered loudly, asking ,” Is he coming?” Then when Mr. Bell entered the room, the talking quieted down. He turned to me and took my hand to shake it. I nearly fainted, gathered myself, and stammered, “Good afternoon, Mr. Bell.” His kind and gentle eyes brimmed with friendliness. He quietly, said,”Hi,” and turned to greet the students.

Here was a great artist who was so kind and humble that he would take time to speak with these students. I felt his total and undivided attention to the group. Here was the guy who played classical violin at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station in Washington, DC during rush hour. As the music echoed through the poured concrete hallway, a child stopped to listen to the music. At the Strathmore, the students hushed. He spoke with these students for a good 45 minutes – right before his concert. He told them, that yes, he wanted to play video games. But he knew he had to practice. He explained that he understands when it came to stop playing the video games, put down the devices, and take out the violin, rosin the bow, tune it up, and play the violin, giving a good amount of time to concentrate, find the mistakes, make better the bowing, pull it together with the beat. The mind has to be free of clutter. Suzuki said that it is better to practice well for 10 minutes than poorly for 1 hour.

It is like that when you start to learn a foreign language. You have to put down whatever it is you are doing and concentrate, listen, repeat, find the mistakes, make better what you do. It doesn’t have to be a long time, but it needs to be focused. And sometimes you need to practice to get it right to be able to communicate what needs to be expressed.

I remember that evening, I heard Mr. Bell play his announced pieces. Then, at intermission I saw as he stepped backstage and, through the door, I heard him practice a difficult arpeggio. In the second half of the concert, he nailed that arpeggio, much to our great joy.

You just have to practice each day, give it your attention, focus, listen to your teacher, use practice cards, write down expressions that are difficult to comprehend. Trust that the language, whether it be words or notes, will come. The skill will come and with it a new way to express thoughts and feelings. And just as you learn to appreciate music you learn to appreciate learning new things, cultivating a love for something, a passion for something. With this passion, an appreciation for those who work hard and a respect for your own work develops. And that is something no one can take from you.

Here are some expressions to use when speaking about music in French:

Jouer du piano – to play the piano (Notice that the verb “jouer” is an “-er” verb and follows a specific conjugation.)
Jouer du violon – to play the violin
Est-ce que tu joues du violon ? – Do you play the violin ?
Joue-t-il du piano ? – Does he play the piano? (Notice that the verb is switched and a -t- is added to make the words flow better.)
Elle joue de la musique. (She plays music.)
On joue de la musique. (One plays music.)
Nous jouons de la musique. (We play music.)
Vous jouez de la musique. (You play music.)
Ils jouent de la musique. (They play music.)
Elles jouent de la musique. (They play music.)
Je suis musician. – I am a musician. (Notice that in French you do not use an article when referring to a profession.)
Je joue de la musique classique. – I play classical music.
Aimes-tu la musique classique ? – Do you like classical music ?
Oui, Je l’aime bien. - Yes, I like it also.
Aimez-vous le jazz ? – Do you like jazz ?
J’aime la music classique. – I love classical music.
J’aime le roc. – I love rock and roll.