The French and music

What relationship do the French have with music? photo credit: Shutterstock

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Music is part of our daily lives, whether it is listened to or practiced. In a recent poll, three-quarters of French people say that music allows them to let off steam when they need it or to get away from it all. What are the favorite practices of the French? The most popular instruments?

Music at the heart of our daily lives

Every ten years, the Ministry of Culture conducts a major survey on the cultural practices of the French. During the last edition, unveiled in 2018, 81% of French people said they listened to music (excluding radio), and 57% said they did it every day, against only 34% in 2008. These figures bear witness to the growth of platforms streaming audio like Spotify or Deezer.

11% of respondents had attended a rock or jazz concert during the year (against 13% in 1997), and only 6% at a classical music concert, down 3 points over 20 years. Finally, festival attendance was on the rise with nearly one in five respondents (19%) concerned.

A declining musical practice among the French

According to a 2017 Ifop study, 37% of French people have already learned to play one or more instruments. If this figure is stable compared to the previous study carried out in 2006, only 6% of the people questioned say they still play from time to time, against 10% in 2006. At the same time, 31% no longer play or almost no longer (against 27% in the previous survey). The number of people regretting not knowing how to play an instrument jumped 13 points, from 31 to 44%.

The acclaimed piano

The three favorite instruments of musicians are the piano (39%), the flute (38%) and the guitar (33%). Then come the synthesizer (9%) and percussions (7%). When asked about the instrument that makes them want the most, people who regret not knowing how to play cite the piano first (57%), ahead of the guitar (53%, up 19 points compared to 2006), drums (16%), violin (13%) and saxophone (11%).

The Music Festival, a springboard for amateurs

If 79% of French people have already attended the Fête de la musique as a spectator, they are only 7% to have already participated as a musician. Since 1982, the Fête de la Musique has enabled many amateurs to take the stage: 35% of French people who play an instrument from time to time have already performed on June 21.

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