French traditional music features an eclectic range of genres and instruments, a popular feature in cafes and Parisian dance halls alike. Accordions are also a part of France’s musical landscape.
The 19th Century saw an upsurge in French nationalism that manifested in music through composers such as Hector Berlioz who explored new harmonies and tonal colors.
Bagpipes
Bagpipes (cornemuse in French) are an integral component of French traditional music. On this recording are musette players from Berry, Bourbonnais and Auvergne regions in central France performing tunes and songs passed down from generation to generation.
Bagpipe playing requires constant refilling and balancing of air pressure in both the bag and blowpipe, and an extraordinary level of physical endurance as they must consistently manage air pressure in both. Due to the open-ended nature of its chanter which continuously produces sound, playing this instrument requires very limited notes, which means embellishments such as grace notes are frequently necessary in order to add variety and add articulation and break up monotonous sounds into musical phrases.
Drones (which are placed directly next to the chanter and produce one constant note that harmonizes with it) are tuned one octave lower than their respective keynote, with certain bagpipes even featuring additional drones two octaves lower.
Fiddle
The violin, or fiddle, is an iconic component of traditional French music and culture. This versatile instrument can be found playing all genres ranging from classical and folk through Cajun. France has had an immense impact on global musical culture by helping shape its history and musical landscape.
French musical styles have had an immense impact around the world, from bluegrass and jazz to classical and flamenco music.
Confusion often arises between violins and fiddles, however these two instruments are actually identical. That being said, one violinist might play in London Symphony Orchestra while the fiddle player for Zac Brown’s band will have different styles of play.
United States musicologists commonly refer to violin as a fiddle when played in country or folk styles such as Appalachian, bluegrass, Cajun etc. Fiddling refers to fiddling around or fiddlering with something; as in “She fiddled with her stereo’s knobs until she got a clear picture.” Fiddling can also mean to waste time.
Guitar
The guitar is a stringed musical instrument characterized by plucked string chords that produce sound when played, either audibly or through electrical amplification. As one of the world’s most beloved plucked string instruments, its sound can be found across numerous genres of music including rock, country, folk, classical and jazz genres.
The history of the guitar can be traced back to its predecessors such as lute, vihuela and four-course Renaissance guitar, which eventually evolved into five-course baroque guitar. This instrument saw widespread success throughout Spain, Italy and France during its peak popularity during early 17th century. Some sources believe its roots may lie with Middle Eastern three-stringed instrument known as kithara that may have had roots similar to India’s sitar.
The guitar has long been an integral component of French traditional music, most notably during the development of gypsy jazz with musicians like Django Reinhardt. Additionally, its use is widespread within sega music–an amalgamation of African and European styles popularly played across Languedoc-Roussillon.
Vocals
Vocals are an integral component of French traditional music. Chansons was an early form of French vocal music popular during 17th and 18th century France; its polyphonic form allows song leaders to lead by singing one line before having other singers repeat it back into an ensemble setting; these songs were frequently written to express emotion or convey stories.
Hector Berlioz and Claude Debussy pioneered modern musical styles like impressionism and modernism during the 19th century, challenging traditional French musical conventions with pieces that were highly expressive and atmospheric.
Musette music evokes rural life in France and was particularly beloved among French colonials living in North America. Musettes use long syllables to form chords.