MovieChat Forums > Once (2007) Discussion > The music shop scene

The music shop scene


The scene where Guy teaches her his song on guitar and she slowly starts catching on and finding her own part captures perfectly what I have experienced many times. I am a pianist -- classically trained by not good enough to become a professional. I have had to learn to play by ear over time -- but I can't write my own songs. I have had a few singer/songwriter guitarist friends who played their original songs for me while I played along and found a supporting accompaniment -- and a harmony. It always feels just like this scene -- my hesitant attempts at first with quick glimpses at the chords, listening and growing in confidence, and then finding a strong part and playing along -- hopefully making the song even better. They did this perfectly in the movie! I've never seen another movie come close to showing this creative process.

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Yes, glad you point this out. I'm a musician, too and though the scene moves a little faster in the movie than in a 'real' life (cinematic pacing) it is spot on at capturing the "creative process" as you say. That blend of music and emotion (surprise, happiness, admiration between artists, etc.) is why people who play music together often fall in love.

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And why people fall in love with playing music together!

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this was definitely one of my favorite scenes,
it felt so real
i loved it.

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I'm also am musician and was emotionally drained by the end of this scene...beautifully worked...

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I'm tone deaf. I have no idea about what goes on during these creative processes, but that scene was more beautiful beyond words. Could not stop smiling.

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I'm also a musician, and also agree! I'm a vocalist and play guitar, so harmonizing is second nature to me. That being said, I found her ability to find a supporting part right away to be believable, because I can usually hear a melodic line once and fit a harmony to it directly after; I know others who can do this, too.

I couldn't help singing along... It's a good scene.

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It was such an amazing scene! literally couldn't stop smiling, got that funny feeling down my neck!

Amazing movie...

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What about in "The Doors" when they are jamming and they start coming up with lyrics, guitar tabs, and keyboard intro to "Light My Fire"? I know the scene you are referring to in "Once" has a bit more realism to the process, but I always liked that scene after Krieger introduces his new idea.

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this was more like 'light my scarf'.



A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.

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Hehe! Good call

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you know that i would be a liar
if i was to say to you
girl, we couldn't get tie my scarf any higher!!!

come on baby, light my scarf on fire!
come on baby, light my scarf on fire!







A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.

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