Becoming a skilled guitar player requires consistency. To develop your rhythm and skills, you need to dedicate enough time to practice, so you can gradually expand your knowledge about the instrument. Whether you have just learned to play the guitar and are deeply interested in learning everything there is to know about it, or you are already an experienced guitarist looking for new inspiration or simply wanting to be entertained by something related to your passion, practicing or jamming with your guitar is a staple learning activity. However, this can be demanding rehearsals sometimes, so why not rest your fingers and relax while still being entranced by music by watching one of the following movies? Here are the top movies you’re guaranteed to love if you’re a guitarist.
1. Crossroads (1986)
A coming of age film that was inspired by one of the highly celebrated blues musicians in history, Robert Johnson, Crossroads is a classic must-see for any guitarist. This movie is a musical drama starring Ralph Macchio, who plays a 17-year-old classical guitar student at Juilliard, Eugene Martine. He goes on a trip to the deep South with an old bluesman to look for a missing song by the great Robert Johnson. The movie itself takes you on a journey of your own through the history of blues. It also features an epic guitar duel with Steve Vai, which should be enough reason for you to watch this film straight away.
2. The Blues Brothers (1980)
A great depiction of the vibrant music scene of the eighties, The Blues Brothers is another essential movie for every guitarist to watch. It tells the story of two brothers who have to come up with $5000 to save the orphanage they grew up in. The two brothers attempted to produce the money by trying to get their old band back together and play shows, but they ended up making some enemies along the way and faced many challenges to get the money. What really sets apart this movie is that it’s filled with cameos of America’s most popular musicians, specifically James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, Chaka Khan, and John Lee Hooker.
3. Singles (1992)
Singles has managed to authentically capture the flourishing Seattle grunge scene at the time. The lifelong guitar aficionados over at https://guitarlisty.com/ believe that it has truly depicted what alternative music culture was really about. Classified as a romantic comedy, the movie follows the romantic life of a group of young adults, mainly focusing on an aspiring grunge rock musician, Cliff Poncier, and his relationship. The backdrop of his personal life and that of other characters is the early 90s grunge movement in Seattle. The movie also features notable performances from Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. The movie deserves a watch, just for its brilliant soundtrack alone.
4. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Hailed as one of the best comedies of all time, This Is Spinal Tap satirizes the life of rock music bands. The movie follows the fictional British band Spinal Tap to view their adventures on a tour across America. It conveys important aspects of a musician’s life, from onstage misfortunes to backstage complications and drama. The movie is a favorite to many guitarists since it has it all: dancing dwarves, exploding drummers, guitars, violins, and ridiculous yet lovable tunes from the band itself. Legends like Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Aerosmith acknowledged the movies’ accuracy.
5. School of Rock
Often dismissed as a kid film, this hilarious movie starring Jack Black is, in fact, a perfect pick for guitarists. School of Rock was not Black’s first role in a musical film, he also starred in the rock comedy, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny, which is another great pick to add to your list. As for the School of Rock, it follows Black’s character, Dewey Finn, an aspiring rock guitarist who loses his spot in his band and ends up taking a job as a substitute teacher. You get to watch Black’s character as he, with much frustration, attempts to explain the finer points of rock ‘n’ roll to a group of teenagers who have been exposed to manufactured pop. The best part of the movie is when Black gives the kids a trip down rock memory lane, introducing AC/CD, Metallica, The Clash, Cream, Bowie, and more. The inspiring storyline and music featured throughout the film will reignite your passion for rock from adolescence.
So, there you go, this list of top movies is guaranteed to impress every guitar enthusiast out there, so get to watching! Once you’re done with this list, you can watch documentaries about iconic guitarists. Who knows, maybe these movies would inspire you to write a tune and become the next Jimi Hendrix! Or, they could just be an excellent source of inspiration if you ever experience creative block.