Did Ryan Gosling Play The Piano In La La Land

So, Did Ryan Gosling Really Play the Piano in La La Land?

Alright, gather 'round, folks. Let's dive into the great piano debate of our time. You know, the one that's been keeping insomniacs up at night and causing heated arguments at dinner parties. Did Ryan Gosling, our beloved heartthrob and all-around nice guy, actually play the piano in La La Land? Let's find out.

First things first, let's set the scene.

It's a beautiful day in Los Angeles, the sun is shining, and our boy Ryan, AKA Sebastian, is cruising down the highway in his vintage car. He's got his jazz records blasting, and suddenly, he spots a billboard for an upcoming jazz festival. Inspiration strikes, and he pulls over to jot down some musical notes. But wait, what's that? Is that a piano in the backseat?

Now, if you're like me, you're thinking, "There's no way he's got a full-sized piano back there. This is a movie, not a magic trick!" And you'd be right. But here's where things get interesting. Turns out, Ryan did play the piano in that scene. Sort of.

Enter the magical world of movie magic.

So, here's the deal. That piano you see in the backseat? It's not a real piano. It's a fake piano. A prop. A cleverly designed piece of wood that looks like a piano but doesn't actually make any sound. Because, you know, physics.

But here's where Ryan comes in. He did play the piano in that scene. But not the prop. No, no, no. That would be too easy. Instead, he played a different piano. A real one. Off-screen. And the sound you hear in the movie? That's Ryan's actual playing.

Mind. Blown.

But wait, there's more!

Now, you might be thinking, "Okay, so he played the piano, but was it just a gimmick? Did he really learn to play for the movie?" And the answer is... yes. Yes, he did.

Ryan Gosling Playing Piano in 'La La Land': Behind-the-Scenes Video

According to Damien Chazelle, the director of La La Land, Ryan spent months learning to play the piano for the film. He even took lessons from a jazz pianist named Justin Hurwitz, who also happened to be the film's composer. Talk about dedication!

And if that wasn't enough, Ryan also learned to play the guitar and the drums for other scenes in the movie. The man is a musical triple threat!

But what about those dance scenes?

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Okay, so he can play the piano, but can he dance?" And the answer is... well, yes and no.

While Ryan did learn to dance for the film, he wasn't exactly a stranger to the dance floor. He'd taken dance lessons as a kid and even performed on the Mickey Mouse Club with a young Justin Timberlake. So, he had a bit of a head start.

Ryan Gosling Piano Teacher La La Land Scene Exclusive

But here's where things get interesting. Remember that iconic scene where Ryan and Emma Stone dance in the Griffith Observatory? The one that's been seared into our collective consciousness? Well, that wasn't just one take. No, no, no. It took 80 takes to get it just right.

Yep, you heard me right. Eighty. As in, eighty times they had to dance up those stairs, spin around, and look like they were having the time of their lives. And you know what? It shows. That scene is pure magic.

So, did Ryan Gosling play the piano in La La Land?

In conclusion, yes, Ryan Gosling did play the piano in La La Land. But not the way you might think. He didn't play the prop piano in the backseat. No, he played a real piano off-screen. And he learned to play it for the movie. And he learned to dance. And he did it all with a smile on his face and a song in his heart.

And that, my friends, is the magic of cinema. Now, who's ready to go watch La La Land for the hundredth time?