Fifty Fifty
Free audio download of this performance on SoundCloud.
Although Gustavo Santaolalla is prolific, polymath musician and composer — I prefer his film music the most. Within his soundtracks, Santaolalla delivers really clever, minimal guitar pieces. Of those scores, I prefer the darker, brooding, and avant-garde soundtracks like: The Motorcycle Diaries, Babel, and The Last of Us.
In that respect, Narcos: Mexico is the soundtrack that I had been waiting for. It’s a glorious series and Gustavo Santaolalla adds a smooth, dark underpinning. Much like Amado Carrillo Fuentes character himself.
You might also like to play…
(some other beautiful pieces by Gustavo Santaolalla)
El Recuerdo (Narcos: Mexico) fingerstyle guitar + TAB
Brokeback Mountain 3 | fingerstyle guitar + TAB
Morning (August: Osage County) fingerstyle guitar + TAB
Gear used
One of my friends (and guitar student of 23 years) is an avid collector of Custom Shop instruments. He has a hundred guitars (literally) and loans me whatever I want. For Fifty Fifty, I’m playing a Fender Custom Shop 72 Thinline with CuNiFe Wide-Range Humbucking Pickups. You can find a current list of my person gear here.
My music
You can find my personal music on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, and all streaming services:
The Intellimusica Spotify Playlist: Ethereal & Cinematic Music
(This playlist is curated and updated by me. It’s music that I’ve played and intend to play on Intellimusica. It flows beautifully — and additionally works as music for focus, meditation, and relaxation.)
How to play Fifty Fifty | fingerstyle guitar
This piece is one long passage that I play straight through. Even though there’s a tricky bit at 0:52, I still recommend this for beginner guitar players and up. The chord shapes are really easy to play. Enjoy! The guitar tab is available below:
Narcos: Mexico – Fifty Fifty (Gustavo Santaolalla) fingerstyle guitar
This song is played in standard tuning, and sound amazing on acoustic guitar as well.