Movies and music are inseparable. When words fail actors, music does its part. It adds emotion, enhances the mood of a scene, and makes them more enjoyable.
The score of the films is composed using different kinds of instruments. Among them, the guitar is one of the most widely used instruments.
Let’s take a look at some of the most amazing movie soundtracks you can play on guitar. And once you learn to play them, not only will you feel like a kickass musician, but you can also use your newfound skills to impress your friends and family.
15 Amazing Movie Soundtracks You Can Play on Guitar
If you are a guitar enthusiast looking for exciting music, check out GearAficionado! You can find a variety of blogs on songs and helpful guitar guides there! For this list, we have selected 15 songs from different movies you can learn to play on your guitar.
1. “My Heart Will Go On” – Titanic (1997)
“My Heart Will Go On” is a timeless song from the Titanic. The moment Jack and Rose share a kiss at the front of the ship, accompanied by Celine Dion’s voice, is a truly unforgettable scene. This song is played on acoustic guitar and is easy for beginners to learn.
2. “Stairway to Heaven” – Almost Famous (2000)
“Stairway to Heaven” is a classic rock song from the movie Almost Famous. It was released in 2000, after which the song grabbed the attention of millions of listeners. This song has an acoustic guitar solo portion. If you are a classic rock fan, you must learn to play guitar.
3. “Wonderwall” – The Family Man (2000)
Wonderwall is a popular song by the indie rock band Oasis. Because of its straightforward chord progression and captivating lyrics, it is considered the band’s most famous song and is a treasured piece of rock music history.
In addition, the song popularly appeared in the romantic comedy movie “The Family Man,” leading to worldwide success for the band.
4. “Eye of the Tiger” – Rocky III (1982)
“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor is recognized as a timeless classic from the movie Rocky III. The song’s energetic guitar riff is challenging and fun, regardless of your experience level. You can play this iconic song and experience the sensation of being a true rockstar.
5. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” – Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973)
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is a classic song made famous by the movie Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid in 1973. The song features a simple yet beautiful guitar riff perfect for beginners. With a handful of basic chords, you can play this classic song and impress anyone with your guitar skills.
6. “The Sound of Silence” – The Graduate (1967)
A timeless piece of film music, “The Sound of Silence” from The Graduate, features a beautiful fingerpicking pattern that is both challenging to learn and fun to play. If you are a fan of acoustic music, this is a song that you should learn to play on guitar.
7. “Nothing Else Matters” – Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Nothing Else Matters is a beautiful song from the movie “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” It is a soft-tempo song by the heavy metal band Metallica. The song has a simple but effective chord progression with an enjoyable guitar solo which is comparatively easy to play. It will be a great song to learn if you want to improve your fingerpicking skills.
8. “Star Wars (Main Title)” – Star Wars (1977)
Few movie soundtracks are as instantly recognizable as the Star Wars theme song. Composed by John Williams, this iconic piece of music has become synonymous with the epic space opera.
It’s also a great song to play on the guitar. The main melody is simple, but the chords can be tricky for beginners. However, with some practice, you can master this classic movie theme.
9. “Concerning Hobbits” – The Lord of the Rings (2001)
“Concerning Hobbits” is one of the most famous pieces of music from the “Lord of the Rings” movie franchise. Although the song has a slow tempo, the fingerpicking technique attracts listeners the most. But you have to practice a lot to become a master at playing this melody.
10. “Miss Misery” – Good Will Hunting (1997)
“Miss Misery” by Elliott Smith is an emotional indie folk song from the movie Good Will Hunting. The song was released in 1977 and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The fingerpicking pattern is easy to play, while the rhythm is simple. It’s a great song to learn to improve your fingerstyle guitar playing.
11. “Gonna Fly Now” – Rocky (2006)
The Rocky theme is one of the most inspirational movie soundtracks ever created. The song is composed by Bill Conti. The main riff is simple, but the chord progression can be challenging to beginners. However, you can quickly pick up this classic movie theme if you practice regularly.
12. “The Godfather Theme” – The Godfather (1972)
“The Godfather Theme” is one of the most famous movie songs ever created. The song is composed by Nino Rota. It’s a beautiful melody you can play on guitar, which is easy to learn and fun to master.
13. “The Imperial March” – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Here is another classic from the Star Wars series. It is one of the most recognizable tunes from the franchise.
The song is composed by John Williams. The theme of this song shows the dark side of the Star Wars universe. You can play this song on guitar by combining picking and strumming.
14. “The Pink Panther Theme” – The Pink Panther (1963)
“The Pink Panther Theme” is a saxophone melody created by Henry Mancini. The iconic piece has become so famous that listeners can instantly recognize it by ear. In addition, you can play this jazzy tune on your guitar effortlessly, as the chord progression is relatively simple.
15. “Hedwig’s Theme” – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
“Hedwig’s Theme” is a musical score from the movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, released in 2001. The music was composed by John Williams, who was also the composer of scores from other popular films such as Star Wars, Jaws, and Indiana Jones.
The score features a beautifully haunting and magical melody. With the song’s simple picking pattern, you can easily learn to play it on your guitar.
Conclusion
No matter what kind of music you like, you can play a lot of great movie soundtracks on the guitar. Whether a beginner or an experienced musician, learning and practicing these songs can be great fun while enhancing your guitar skills. So grab your guitar and practice some of these iconic movie soundtracks today.
Shawn Richard is obsessed with dogs, tech, and FPS games. A coffee addict, during his spare time he binge-watches old shows on Netflix, listens to music and tries to play them too sometimes, or enjoys a good book. He’s a doting father not only to his two children but also to his two Golden Retrievers.