Steve Harrington, played by Joe Keery, is the character in Stranger Things who plays the guitar. In the show, Steve can be seen playing a white Gretsch Duo Jet with black pickguard and white binding around the edges of the body. He frequently uses this guitar to perform songs like Every Breath You Take by The Police and other classic 80’s hits for his friends at Hawkins Middle School.
Contents:
- The Role of Music in Stranger Things
- The Importance of the Guitar in the Show’s Soundtrack
- The Musical Background of the Actors in the Cast
- The Mystery of Who Played the Guitar in Stranger Things
- Possible Candidates for Guitarist: Rumors and Speculation
- The Revelation: Who Really Played the Guitar in Stranger Things?
- Impact on Fans and Future Plans for Music in Stranger Things
The Role of Music in Stranger Things
Music plays an integral role in the Netflix series Stranger Things. Through its eclectic blend of synthesized and classic rock music, it creates a strong atmosphere to drive home the 1980’s setting of the show. It also helps build tension during key moments in the story, adding yet another layer of emotion to every scene.
The background music choices perfectly reflect the era and range from The Clash’s Should I Stay or Should I Go to Foreigner’s Cold as Ice. Upbeat songs such as Every Breath You Take by The Police, Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield and Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds add charm to the characters’ lighter moments while still staying true to their retro roots.
Of course, there are multiple occasions when characters on screen actually play guitar. This is where Steve Harrington (played by Joe Keery) comes into play: he not only provides comic relief but shows off his musical talent with electric guitars featured throughout Season 3. Although much of this is understated, Steve does get some spotlight playing tunes such as Dead Man’s Party by Oingo Boingo and Come Sail Away by Styx for Nancy (Natalia Dyer).
The Importance of the Guitar in the Show’s Soundtrack
The guitar is a key element in the soundtrack of Stranger Things, providing an iconic backdrop for the show. By incorporating the use of different guitars and styles, the creators have been able to capture a certain feeling that could not be achieved otherwise. From classic rock riffs to twangy country solos, each scene contains something special thanks to this instrument’s versatility.
Using acoustic guitars to accentuate feelings of nostalgia or electric ones to punctuate moments of suspense, it has become a tool in many ways throughout all three seasons. The opening theme song itself instantly transports viewers back in time with its vintage sound and vintage-style artwork, conveying a sense of time travel that other instruments could not replicate as effectively.
The guitar also provides some great opportunities for character development and emotional insight into their lives. In season two, when Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) takes up playing the guitar at Hawkins Middle School as part of her self-discovery journey, we are given subtle clues into her motivations and struggles she faces along the way – something which would not be as effective if done through another instrument. By allowing us access into these characters’ inner worlds via music, it adds more depth to their arcs and allows us to gain a greater understanding of them as people.
The Musical Background of the Actors in the Cast
The cast of Netflix’s Stranger Things is widely known for their exceptional acting capabilities, but many may not be aware of the fact that several actors also possess impressive musical abilities. One such individual is Joe Keery who plays Steve Harrington in the show. Prior to being cast on Stranger Things, he was a member of the band Post Animal and still plays guitar for them today. He often brings his acoustic guitar onto set with him and can be seen strumming away when there are breaks in filming.
Finn Wolfhard, who portrays Mike Wheeler, has been playing music since a young age and currently fronts his own band called Calpurnia. The group recently released an EP which showcases Finn’s guitar skills as well as his vocals; something that many viewers were unaware of until now. In addition to Joe and Finn, Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven) is also no stranger to musical instruments; she often plays ukulele at her home in England when not working on the show.
Another talented musician in the cast is Gaten Matarazzo who stars as Dustin Henderson; although primarily known as an actor, Gaten also takes part in karaoke nights during off-set hours where he can show off his vocal chops. Not only this, but he has even managed to teach himself how to play both piano and guitar over recent years; so much so that it almost feels like second nature now whenever he performs.
The Mystery of Who Played the Guitar in Stranger Things
With the latest season of Stranger Things, fans were left to wonder who played the mysterious guitar that Eleven was able to play so gracefully. Throughout the series it is seen in several episodes, however its origin remains a mystery until now. Was it an unknown cast member or was there some other force at work?
The question of who actually played the guitar has been circulating for quite some time now, with numerous speculations arising from fans and audience alike. Many have proposed that actor Noah Schnapp could have had something to do with it due to his musical background and familiarity with playing instruments; but no proof has yet come forward. Others believe that Millie Bobby Brown’s character Eleven must have used her powers while in the upside down world to manifest a guitar as we saw on screen – this theory makes sense since she had previously manifested food items during another episode.
A third possibility is that one of the producers or crew members provided a soundtrack behind-the-scenes and had someone dub over an actor strumming strings on set; though this would be unlikely given how well synced up it all appears when watching. Whatever happened remains shrouded in mystery but can make for interesting conversation among Stranger Things fans around the world.
Possible Candidates for Guitarist: Rumors and Speculation
Speculation about who played the guitar in Stranger Things has been rampant ever since the show first aired. With a musical score as iconic as this, it is no surprise that viewers have been curious to know who was behind the strings of such amazing music. While there has not yet been an official announcement made by the producers or any other related parties, there are many rumors circulating regarding possible candidates for guitarist on the show.
One popular suggestion is John Cusack, who is known for his impressive skill with a six-string guitar. He also has significant acting credits and is an avid fan of classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and The Doors – making him seem like an ideal candidate for producing some of Stranger Things’ most memorable tunes. Cusack’s age and experience make him a likely contender among those proposing potential guitarists for the show.
Another possibility being thrown around in regards to stranger things’ soundtrack could be Mark Knopfler, former lead singer and guitarist of Dire Straits. His distinctive sound would surely add another layer to the ambiance created in Stranger Things; many think he would be well suited to take on this job given his background and decades-long career as one of rock’s greatest legends. From bluesy strums to melancholic solos – fans believe Knopfler could create something truly special if given the opportunity to work on this series’ musical pieces.
Some viewers speculate that none other than Slash might have played some licks on his favorite instrument during filming sessions for stranger things; it makes sense due to his vast experience playing live shows with Guns N’ Roses over three decades ago now. With such an extensive record in hard rock music history, Slash certainly fits what people imagine when they think about someone playing electric guitar within this sci-fi/horror context that characterizes much of Stranger Things’ atmosphere.
The Revelation: Who Really Played the Guitar in Stranger Things?
When the first season of Stranger Things premiered, fans were immediately captivated by its classic ’80s throwback feel and mystery-filled plot. One of the highlights for many viewers was Jim Hopper’s (David Harbour) charming musical performance of Bob Dylan’s “Baby Don’t You Do It” in Episode 5. But with all the guitar playing on screen being done by Harbour, fans have been curious as to who is really responsible for making those strings sing.
The answer was finally revealed at the 2019 MTV Movie & TV Awards: actor Gaten Matarazzo, one of the young stars of Stranger Things and a self-professed lifelong musician. After accepting his award onstage, he took a moment to thank his parents for helping him nail this challenging gig – namely teaching him how to play the iconic melody from the show.
Matarazzo is no novice when it comes to music either; outside of his role as Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things he has also showcased his singing talents through various projects including Broadway performances such as Les Misérables, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Waitress and most recently School Of Rock The Musical where he played Dewey Finn in a leading role.
Impact on Fans and Future Plans for Music in Stranger Things
The show Stranger Things has been a runaway hit, with millions of fans across the world. But one aspect that resonates particularly strongly with viewers is its music.
The unique blend of classic rock and synth-pop riffs provide an atmospheric background to key scenes throughout the show, creating a sense of nostalgia as well as providing clues about what is to come in future episodes. But who actually plays the guitar in these iconic soundtracks?
It turns out that it’s none other than Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein – two members of electronic band S U R V I V E, which was formed back in 2009. The group’s signature style has become synonymous with Stranger Things, even spawning their own ‘Stranger Synths’ project aimed at replicating their own particular brand of retro sci-fi ambience on albums like 2016’s ‘Escape From Earth’.
Not only have they left an indelible mark on Stranger Things’ musical legacy, but they have also opened up a new generation of fans to the wonders of vintage synthwave. Their work has been celebrated by critics and audiences alike, proving that there is still plenty more mileage in this throwback genre yet.
As for the future plans for music in Stranger Things? Well, we will just have to wait until Season 4 arrives for us to find out.
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