The O.G. of cinematic guitar

Gustavo Santaolalla had already built an impressive résumé — Amores Perros, 21 Grams, The Motorcycle Diaries (an astonishing soundtrack) — but it was 2005’s Brokeback Mountain where his cinematic sound truly took flight: minimalist guitar, expansive reverb, and open space that somehow says more than notes ever could.

That’s when I first discovered my favorite composer. My wife and I had an apartment in Pittsburgh. I was sweeping the hardwood floors one late morning when a trailer for Brokeback Mountain came on the television. The music hit me immediately — the main theme, “The Wings,” playing over stunning visuals set in the mountains of Wyoming.

I remember thinking, that almost sounds like “Blackbird” by The Beatles. Either way, I ran to my computer to find out exactly who this composer was and what else he’d done. I couldn’t get enough. I was amazed that such a minimalist approach could score an entire Hollywood production.

It would be another five years before I started my YouTube channel — but that was the genesis of my guitar style as we know it today. I wanted to emulate Santaolalla’s patience, and cultivate his ability to find beauty in the fewest possible notes.

My favorite overall Santaolalla soundtrack is The Motorcycle Diaries — no question. But my absolute favorite piece is “Brokeback Mountain 1.” It’s so incredibly beautiful with the least moving parts. To this day, when I sit down to arrange or write my own music, that’s the sound, the vibe I’m chasing.

For this arrangement, I combined “Brokeback Mountain 1” with “Opening” — also from the iconic, Academy Award-winning Brokeback Mountain soundtrack. Santaolalla would win again one year later, for Alejandro González Iñárritu’s, Babel.

You might also like to play…

Gustavo Santaolalla: Brokeback Mountain Suite | fingerstyle guitar + TAB

Gustavo Santaolalla: The Wings (Brokeback Mountain) + TAB

Gustavo Santaolalla: Brokeback Mountain 3 guitar theme + TAB

How to play “Opening” & “Brokeback Mountain 1” | fingerstyle guitar

The guitar tab for this piece is beautifully written across 3 pages. Though most of the chord shapes are fairly easy, I recommend this piece for intermediate guitar players and up.

Enjoy! The guitar tab is available below:

You’ll play through the guitar tab repeating the “refrain” on page 2 when indicated.

[guitar tab] **Gustavo Santaolalla: “Opening” & “Brokeback Mountain 1” | Fingerstyle Guitar

This piece is played in standard tuning.