16 Stars who learnt a musical instrument for their role

In depicting film characters, actors often do whatever it takes to dive deep into their role. Sometimes, this includes acquiring a new skill-set, one of which is playing a musical instrument. Whether it's mastering the piano for a dramatic performance or strumming the guitar to invoke the soul of a character, these 16 stars literally became musicians for their roles as opposed to just acting. The depth they brought to their character enriched these performances to the point of creating unforgettable moments.

1) Ryan Gosling – Piano (La La Land, 2016)

Ryan Gosling prepared for his La La Land role for more than just acting. He had to learn piano to play the jazz musician called 'Sebastian' for some of the film's complicated musical sequences. Gosling prepared for months, practicing for hours every day, and even learned to play City of Stars live as a jazz performance. His hard work paid off, as his performances were lauded for their authenticity. Gosling's incredible performance also established an authentic relationship with his character, giving depth to the emotionally charged soundtrack of the film.

2) Adrien Brody – Piano (The Pianist, 2002)

Adrien Brody, who had never played a piano before, had to master Chopin's compositions in the film The Pianist as Władysław Szpilman, a renowned pianist during the Holocaust. This called for rigorous preparation, and he spent an entire year studying piano. He practiced for hours every day and developed his technique until he could play challenging pieces like the Nocturne in C-sharp minor with natural fluidity. He was so intense in his commitment that he even lost 30 pounds for the role, making him look just like Szpilman.

3) Bradley Cooper – Guitar & Piano (A Star Is Born, 2018)

Bradley Cooper transformed himself into a seasoned musicial to play his character in A Star Is Born. To truly portray the role of Jackson Maine, Cooper learned to play the guitar and then learned the piano in preparation for this movie. He spent a couple of months rehearsing with music coaches, learning how to sing and play live in front of an audience in order to perform multiple difficult scenes for the film. Cooper recorded all the songs himself, so the musical moments in the film felt raw and genuine.

4) Joaquin Phoenix – Guitar (Walk the Line, 2005)

For the Walk the Line role of legendary country singer Johnny Cash, Joaquin Phoenix accepted a monumental task of not only portraying the singing icon, but also mastering the guitar. Phoenix learned to play in Cash's signature style of alternating between finger-picking and strumming. He did that for months to perfect his performances, even though he had never played guitar before. His dedication to the role was such that he recorded all of the vocals for the film himself, giving it a raw, authentic feel.

5) Reese Witherspoon – Autoharp (Walk the Line, 2005)

In Walk the Line, Reese Witherspoon played June Carter Cash, a country music legend, and to give depth to her role, she had to learn to play the autoharp. She was not an instrumentalist before, but she dedicated herself to mastering it so that she would convincingly perform the part. The autoharp was an incredible part of her character's musical expression, especially in those very iconic duets with Joaquin Phoenix. Witherspoon's commitment to the role earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.

6) Miles Teller – Drums (Whiplash, 2014)

Miles Teller's role in Whiplash as an ambitious drummer Andrew Neiman was electrifying. In preparation for his part, the actor had to train with a real jazz drummer for months, learning very complex rhythms and techniques. For his daily routine, Teller would practice for hours every day; these included fast-paced drumming sequences throughout the film as well as the climactic performance of the movie. His passion was so extreme that blisters grew on his palms due to those long hours spent mastering the craft.

7) Meryl Streep – Guitar (Ricki and the Flash, 2015)

Meryl Streep is seen performing rock music in Ricki and the Flash, something she set out to do by taking on the challenge of learning guitar. Streep, however, was already an accomplished singer, yet to become a real electric guitar player, and so, she had to develop a real feel for it. She worked with several musicians to attain perfection and spent considerable time on stage rehearsals to combine reality with the hype of a rock star. Streep's guitar playing, paired with her legendary vocal talents, brought the character of Ricki to life in a gritty and emotionally raw manner.

8) Taron Egerton – Piano (Rocketman, 2019)

For Rocketman, Egerton learned to play the piano in order to portray Elton John's authenticity. With no prior experience of playing the piano, Egerton underwent intensive lessons to perform live versions of John Elton's iconic songs. His dedication to mastering the guitar and adjust his vocals to resemble Elton added an extra levels of mettle to Egerton's portrayal, particularly so in the critical musical moments. Egerton's live performances in the film were highly appreciated by fans.

9) Tom Hiddleston – Guitar & Vocals (I Saw the Light, 2015)

For I Saw the Light, Tom Hiddleston learned guitar and vocals to play the legendary country singer Hank Williams' hits. Hiddleston worked with vocal coaches and guitar instructors to perfect the sound of the raspy vocals and guitar style that defined Williams. Hiddleston's transformation wasn't just a physical one; his portrayal caught the emotional depth that Williams reflected in his music. The commitment to learning Williams' music firsthand by Hiddleston made the film an authentic masterpiece that was impressive, both to critics and fans of the country music legend.

10) Paul Dano – Cello (Youth, 2015)

In Youth, Paul Dano's central figure performed a rather difficult cello passage in an important scene. Although Dano had no previous experience with the cello, he immersed himself in learning the instrument for this role. He took lessons from a professional cellist to make sure his fingers seemed natural on the strings. Dano was able to pull off the piece with considerable skill. His concentration on creating an authentic, flowing performance invariably complemented a film whose central theme was about the creative struggles of older artists.

11) Gael García Bernal – Violin (The Motorcycle Diaries, 2004)

In The Motorcycle Diaries, Gael García Bernal played the young Ernesto "Che" Guevara as he journeys across South America in what is showcased as a transforming experience. He learned to play the violin in preparation for one of the pivotal scenes in the film, a scene in which he would actually play the violin. He was not familiar with string instruments; however, with his dedication to the craft, he practiced the violin for three months before coming up with a convincing and authentic performance.

12) Margot Robbie – Harp (Mary Queen of Scots, 2018)

For the role of Queen Elizabeth I in Mary Queen of Scots, Margot Robbie learned how to play the harp. She had never played the instrument before, but collaborated with a harpist to get it just right. In the film, the harp, which stood for both majesty and loneliness, was used to heighten the emotional quality of her scenes. Robbie's passion for learning the instrument added depth, giving her a sense of introspection and vulnerability in the role of the powerful, but conflicted monarch.

13) J.K. Simmons – Piano (Counterpart, 2017)

J.K. Simmons played an interesting role as Howard Silk in Counterpart, a man living a very normal life that unfolds when he uncovers a parallel universe. He had to prepare for a piano-playing scene where he had to learn how to play several pieces of classical music. Not being a musician himself, Simmons took his time practicing the piano; the effort definitely paid off for him in that film. His ability to express the emotional intensity of the situation was beautifully merged with his newly acquired music skills, making the dual role even more nuanced.

14) Riz Ahmed – Drums (Sound of Metal, 2019)

Riz Ahmed's powerful performance in Sound of Metal saw him learn how to play the drums for the role of Ruben, a heavy metal drummer who starts losing his hearing. He worked with a professional drummer to develop the technique and practiced long hours, mastering the rhythms important to the role. His hard work paid off because his performance of Ruben's descent into deafness was quite moving. Of course, in addition to learning drums, Ahmed worked closely with the sound department so that, in a real way, Ruben's hearing loss was palpable for the audience.

15) Keira Knightley – Guitar (Begin Again, 2013)

In Begin Again, Keira Knightley starred as a singer-songwriter trying to make a name for herself in the industry. To get ready for this role, Keira Knightley learned how to play the guitar, something she had never attempted before. Knightley's journey was closely tied to the music she composed, and she worked with many musicians to perfect the rhythm and feel of her songs. Her commitment to playing live music added a very authentic feel to the film. Not just that, she also performed many of the songs live, both on vocals and the guitar.

16) Mark Ruffalo – Bass Guitar (Begin Again, 2013)

In Begin Again, Mark Ruffalo played a broke music producer who needed to learn how to play a bass guitar for his role. To play a character who identifies with the struggling singer-songwriter played by Keira Knightley, Ruffalo had to learn it very well. Even though he had never played the instrument before, Ruffalo learned the finer points with the help of different music teachers and his co-stars. The fact that Ruffalo played live in the film added a very authentic feel to the music-industry setting.