Bonjour, the Guitar, and My First Teacher

A New Beginning: Music at Lycée Français Alexandre Yersin

My first introduction to the guitar happened during my time at Lycée Français Alexandre Yersin de Hanoï, a French international school. Music was deeply embedded in the culture of the school, not just as an extracurricular activity but as an integral part of the overall learning experience. It was here that I first saw how music, particularly the guitar, could connect people, cultures, and emotions.

Although I had always been surrounded by music—whether through school performances, cultural events, or casual jam sessions—it wasn’t until the guitar caught my attention that I felt an immediate, electrifying connection. The instrument’s ability to tell a story through every string and chord was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. In that moment, I knew I had to learn how to play it.

Where my guitar story began

The First Teacher: A Spark of Inspiration

As I began my guitar journey, I was fortunate to have a teacher – Phuc Phan – who was far more than someone who showed me how to strum. He was fun, open to new ideas, and always encouraged creativity. He didn’t just explain how to hold the guitar or play the right notes—he taught me how to listen, how to feel the rhythm in every chord, and how to express emotions through the strings.

He also played a huge role in helping me grow as a musician beyond the classroom. He helped me form my band at LFAY and even organized music events so that musicians like myself had a stage to perform and gain confidence. Thanks to him, I didn’t just learn how to play guitar—I learned how to share music with others.

One of the most important lessons he taught me still stays with me today: it’s not just about playing the right notes; it’s about playing them with meaning. That lesson was a turning point. It wasn’t enough to simply follow instructions—I had to feel the music and connect with the instrument on a deeper level.

The person who sparked my curiosity

Struggling, Learning, and Growing

The beginning wasn’t easy. At first, my fingers didn’t cooperate with me, and the strings seemed to fight back every time I tried to play a chord. It was frustrating, and there were moments when I wanted to give up. But my teacher’s patience and encouragement pushed me forward. They emphasized that learning wasn’t about perfection, but progress. Every note, every chord, was a small step toward improvement.

As I continued to practice, I began to hear the music in a way I hadn’t before. Each strum became more fluid, each chord felt more natural, and slowly, I started to play with more confidence. The guitar began to feel like an extension of myself, a way to express what words could not.

The beginning wasn’t easy

The Journey Begins

Looking back, I see that this was just the beginning of a much longer journey. It wasn’t just about learning how to play the guitar; it was about learning to communicate through music, to express my emotions, my ideas, and my thoughts in a way that was uniquely mine. The guitar opened doors to a world of creativity and expression that I had never fully explored before.

The road ahead was long and filled with challenges, but I was no longer daunted by the obstacles. The more I played, the more I realized that each challenge was an opportunity to grow. The guitar, in many ways, became my teacher as well, constantly challenging me to push my limits and explore new possibilities.