Introduction

Pasoori – Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on a song that is a masterclass in songwriting and storytelling, and essentially art. Ali and Shae wrote an Urdu-Punjabi song that became the most-streamed Coke Studio song on YouTube, with more than 800 million views.

Pasoori is a song that is layered in its meanings relating to themes of conflict in love, life, chaos, self-expression, and the partition event. The lyrical metaphors have strong emotional, societal and political connotations and are presented in the style of the folk-pop genre.

The inspiration of the song, as Ali mentions, came from a quote in Punjabi written on the back of a transport truck that said ‘aag lavaan teri majbooriyan nu’ (set fire to your compultions), which he then followed up with ‘aan jaan di pasoori nu’ (the crisis of coming and going), symbolising the conflict of not just love but also the daily trades of life.

Pasoori Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, the tutor goes over all the parts of the song, section by section, displaying the techniques needed to play them perfectly. The song has three verses and three choruses and one bridge section that has a Baglama (a Turkish stringed instrument) solo and a mandolin solo, which are explained in detail by the instructor.

The song is in the key of B minor and can be easily played in the open position on the guitar using the standard chord shapes. Since the rhythm and beat of the song resembles that of reggaeton music, the strumming sounds like a shuffle between the chord changes and goes like D’ U D U’ D U D U - D’ D’ D’ (D is a downstrum and U is an upward strum, and the ‘ is an accented strum). It is a unique spin on the rhythm that sounds Oriental or Middle Eastern as well as Indian at the same time.

The song, having Oriental motifs, features what is known in music theory as the Andalusian cadence, i.e. usage of the chords A minor - G - F - E in sequence in the chorus sections. The tutor demonstrates the full song in its entirety and also includes a section on how to improvise on the track.

FAQs

Q. Why is Pasoori so popular?

The song is popular because of the catchy tune that has been given to the chorus of the song and because of the romantic expression of the lyrics that rides on the upbeat tempo of the song. There is one more factor for its success, which is cultural association –phrases like ‘gheo di churi’, which is a sweet dish popular in the Sindh region, triggered nostalgia among the regional north indians.

Q. What chords are used in Pasoori?

Pasoori uses simple open chords like Bm, G, F, Em, E and F#. These chords create its signature melancholic yet catchy melody.

Q. Is Pasoori suitable for beginners?

Yes, Pasoori is ideal for beginners because of its open chord voicings and moderate tempo. It helps learners practice smooth transitions and strumming patterns.

Bulleya - Introduction

Bulleya is a groundbreaking Sufi rock song by the legendary Pakistani band Junoon, released in 1999 as part of their album Parvaaz. The track is an adaptation of the poetry of Bulleh Shah, a revered Punjabi Sufi saint, questioning identity and divine love. Composed by Salman Ahmad, the song blends Western rock energy with Eastern spiritual depth, featuring electric guitar riffs, bluesy vocals by Ali Azmat, and traditional tabla rhythms.

Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, Bulleya became Junoon’s signature track, celebrated for its fusion of rock and Sufi philosophy. The lyrics—"Bullah ki jaana main kaun" ("I know not who I am")—reflect the Sufi quest for self-discovery beyond religious labels. Over the years, the song has been reimagined multiple times, including an English version in 2010, and remains a staple in Junoon’s live performances, inspiring countless covers across South Asia.

Bulleya Guitar Lesson

Taught by Salman Ahmad himself, this lesson breaks down the song’s unique chord progressions and Sufi-rock fusion. The track uses D9, Am, Dm7♭9, G6, E7sus4, and Esus4, creating a hypnotic, spiritually charged sound. The D9 (xx0230) and Dm7♭9 (xx0111) chords add tension, while G6 (320000) and E7sus4 (020200) provide resolution, mirroring the song’s themes of seeking and surrender.

The rhythm alternates between a rock-driven 4/4 strum and qawwali-inspired grooves. The main riff, played on electric guitar, uses the D minor pentatonic scale (D-F-G-A-C) with bluesy bends. The verse follows D9 - Am - G6, while the chorus shifts to E7sus4 - Esus4, creating a call-and-response effect. The bridge introduces a Dm7♭9 - G6 vamp, emphasising the Sufi trance-like quality.

For the lead parts, Salman’s playing combines Eastern phrasing (sliding between notes like in a raga) with Western rock techniques (sustained bends, wah pedal). The solo builds on the D harmonic minor scale (D-E-F-G-A-B♭-C#), adding a mystical edge.

Beginners should focus on the D9 and Am transitions first. Intermediate players can work on the sus4 chords and bluesy licks. Advanced players should explore the modal interchange between D minor and D Mixolydian (D-E-F#-G-A-B-C), a key element in Junoon’s sound.

FAQs

Q. How to play the Dm7b9 chord?

Fret the 1st fret on high E (F), 1st on B (C), and leave G open (xx0111).

Q. What’s the strumming pattern for the song Bulleya by Junoon?

Verses: Down-down-up-up-down | Chorus: Aggressive downstrokes on E7sus4.

Q. Why does the E7sus4 go to the Esus4?

The suspended notes (A in E7sus4 resolving to G# in Esus4) mimic qawwali vocal ornamentation.

Q. What is the best way to practice bends?

Target the F to G (1st to 3rd fret, B string)—a key bluesy motif in the solo.

Purani Jeans - Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on one of the classic youth anthems of the early 90s, Pakistan – Purani Jeans by Ali Haider. This song rose to fame in the era of cassette tapes and vinyl records, and evokes emotions of nostalgia among the fans of Haider Ali, who are now in their 50s, by the way. The song was part of the Sandesa album released in 1993, and on YouTube has achieved almost 5 million views.

The song Purani Jeans, which translates to ‘Old Jeans’, is about celebrating the spirit of youth, especially the arriving adulthood phase –exploring themes of college life, self-discovery, rebellion, romance and more. The lyrics paint a picture of the singer looking back at his youth and reminiscing about the events and stories that he had lived, metaphorising the phase using the jeans as a symbol.

Purani Jeans Guitar Lesson

Purani Jeans guitar lesson is taught by our beloved expert, Mike Walker, who explains all the different sections of the song in a section-by-section manner –from the intro that talks about the chords and different voicings of those chords, to the rhythms and solos of the song. The song is in Eb standard tuning and in the key of D major, which is a common tuning for the classic rock sound.

The intro of the song features a rhythmic riff that is based on the mixolydian scale, a major scale with the flattened seventh degree, which gives the riff a jazzy sound. The strumming and legato notes of the riff resemble those from songs like ‘Summer of '69’ and ‘Hey Joe’.

The song mostly features power chords, i.e. chords without the third, that are played on a distorted electric guitar and consist of standard shapes. The majority of the strumming is palm muted, which gives the song that rock-metal vibe. There are also a number of small overdubbed motifs that play over the rhythm guitar that embellish the progression.

Purani jeans also features a guitar solo that is based on the mixolydian scale, featuring jazz and bluesy licks and lines with minor 7th and half diminished chord arpeggios. This solo is a great example of how to mix different theory concepts in your soloing. The tutor here explains all the parts of the solo note for note.

FAQs

Q. What is the song Purani Jeans about?

Purani Jeans is a nostalgic Pakistani pop-rock song by Ali Haider that reminisces about youthful memories, friendships, and carefree days.

Q. Can I play this song on an acoustic guitar?

Yes! The original version of the song is a pop song with mellower but upbeat rhythm, which can be played easily on an acoustic guitar, which lends more to the emotional and nostalgic appeal of the song’s narrative.

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song But It Rained as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Solo, Chords, Rhythm, and Overdubs, Solo Lesson, Song Demo and Overdubs with Backing Track. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Har Saans Mein as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Song Arrangement , Easy Version, Song Demo, Solo 1, Solo 2, Solo 3, Solo 4 and Overdub Licks and Improvisation. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Aahatein as part of our Guitar series on song lessons. The song lesson is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Easy Chords and Rhythms, Song Arrangement, Song Demo, Non-Capo Arrangement, Non-Capo Demo, Solo, and Improvisation. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Introduction:

Chet is a fingerpicking legend and in this song he used Travis picking technique which helped him in building amazing melody and harmonisation with other instruments.

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson:

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The song follows the typical chord progression in the key of C major, which incorporates the dominant 7th in addition to the passing chords to add richness. 

The arpeggios patterns are as follows: 

Bass: C  - G  - C  - G  

(A)  (D)  (A)  (D)  

Melody: pluck pluck  

(B)    (G) 

Strumming Pattern: 

Mr Bojangles doesn’t follow your traditional strumming pattern because it uses fingerstyle arrangement. In here the thumb is playing alternative bass notes while fingers are used for plucking chords for harmony and melody. 

The most common fingerstyle arrangement that you can follow for this is T - F - T - F

• T (Thumb) plays the bass notes on the low strings (E, A, or D)
• F (Fingers - Index/Middle) pluck the melody notes on the higher strings (G, B, or E)

Song Structure:

Introduction: In this introduction by Muriel Anderson your guitar instructor for this song lesson you will get to know about the finger arrangement used and fingerstyle that you have to follow. 

Section A - Part 1: Muriel has divided the song in different parts and this is the part 1 of the song arrangement. Here you will learn the chords you will be playing at the intro of the song. 

Section A - Part 2: In this part you will learn the remaining chords for the intro section of the song. 

Section B: From here, you will be moving to the second half of the song. 

Turnaround Variation: Right here in the guitar lesson, you will learn how to smoothly transition from one guitar section to the other in the song. It will follow a shorter chord progression. 

Variation: Your guitar instructor is going to show you how to make a slight change or embellishment in the melody while keeping the core structure of the song intact. 

Tag: In here you will learn about the tag which is the small section repeated after you complete with the verse guitar tunes. 

Conclusion: This is the last part of this guitar lesson, here Muriel talks about the song and how one can make little improvisation in it to make it sound fuller. 

This song has fast paced, driving strumming which allows you to develop strumming rhythm and endurance. It is pretty great for practicing dynamic strumming and percussive accents. Due to quick chord shifting you will be able to build finger strength and speed. 

FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What happened to the Mumford & Sons lead singer?

Ans. The lead singer of the group said that he will be leaving the band in October 2022 due to some controversial issues with the members. But he made sure that none of the band members and their families had to suffer any consequences. 

Q2. Will Mumford & Sons be touring in 2025? 

Ans. The band is embarking on a global club tour, which will start in March 2025. 

Q3. What kind of band is Mumford & Sons? 

Ans. They are a British folk-rock band who are known for their raucous, fast-paced, and sonically dense instrumentation. The lyrics are highly concentrated on christianity. 

In this video lesson Bobby Koelble teaches how to play the song Main Kya Karoon as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Piece, Verse 1 and Chorus, Solo Lesson, Violin Chords, Verse 2, Outro Section , Song Demo and Easy Version. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Introduction:

Te Amo is a song which is full of emotion making it a perfect song to play acoustic guitar. As a result, when you play this song it helps you connect with the mood of love, longing and vulnerability. 

Fun Fact: Te Amo was the first love song which has the blend of Spanish and Hindi language in lyrics. 

Strumming Pattern 

The song is pretty laid back, so the strumming pattern for the reprised version is as follows: D - D U - U D U. 

• D = Down Strum.
• U = Up Strum.  

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction is from Steve Luciano, and in this part of the guitar lesson, you will get to know how to play the song exactly like the reprise version and what it takes to keep the tone perfectly matching that of the original reprise version. 

Intro Piece: In this part you will learn how to play the intro part of the song which is pretty guitar heavy. 

Verse 1, Chorus 1, & Intro 2: On this chapter of guitar lesson you will be finding out how to play the harmony of the song. The verse in the song comes three times in total and when a verse comes chords usually change. 

Verse 2 and Chorus 2: Here Steve will show you the chords you need to play for the 2nd verse and 2nd chorus of the song. 

Interlude, Verse 3, and Chorus 3: In this section, you will learn the small piece of music that plays in between the 2nd verse and 3rd verse. Also, you will learn the chords for the 3rd chorus of the song. 

Conclusion and Backing Track: This is the last section of the guitar lesson and here, Steve is going to play the entire guitar part of the song with the backing track. 

Why Te Amo Reprise From Dum Maro Dum On Guitar?

This song uses beginner-friendly chords, which allows musicians to feel the song rather than focus on speed or complexity. The song is a bit slower and is considered to be an emotional track that teaches you timing, dynamics, and soft playing. 

FAQs-Te Amo Reprise song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What does Te Amo mean in the song? 

Ans. Te Amo translated to I Love You in Spanish, the song was sung by Pritam, Sunidhi Chauhan and Ash King. 

Q2. What is the theme of the movie Dum Maro Dum?

Ans. The movie revolves around drug trafficking, corruption which could be found in law enforcement and finally the movie was about lost innocence and redemption. 

Q3. What is the difference between the original and the reprise version of the song? 

Ans. The original song had Ash King and Sunidhi Chauhan as the lead singers, also, the song had a much better upbeat to it along with a romantic-pop feel. On the other hand, the reprise version of the song is often slower, softer and more emotional, the reprise version was used in more intimate scenes that were present in the movie. 

Abhi Kuch Dino Se is a song that truly captures the feeling of being in love; with this song, you get to explore how one can share their emotions and feelings using guitar strums and dynamics. 

Fun Fact: This is a romantic song, but the movie Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, 2011, for which the song belongs, is a quirky comedy and is pretty light-hearted as well. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The basic chord progression for the verse is: 

G – D – Em – C. 

For the chords that are rooted on the 6th String (like G):

6 – 4 – 3 – 2

(Bass note → Middle → Higher strings)

For chords rooted on the 5th string (like C):

5 – 4 – 3 – 2

Strumming Pattern 

The strumming pattern which you need to follow for this song is: D-D-U-U-D-U. 

• D = Down Strum 
• U = Up Strum 

Song Structure 

Introduction: There are a couple of guitar parts in this song which Steve Luciano breaks in this guitar lesson one by one. He also shares his thoughts on how the guitar tune makes the song amazing.

Intro Lick: In this part of the song lesson, you will be learning how to play the intro lick, which comes at the beginning of the song. 

Verse 1 and Chorus: After the small intro lick, in this part of the guitar lesson, you will learn the chords used in the intro, verse 1 and the first chorus of the song. 

Verse 2 and Chorus: Here, Steve is first going to show you the chords you need to learn, and then he moves to the rhythm that you have to follow. 

Conclusion: In this conclusion section, Steve tells you the importance of learning and practicing the chords that are part of this song. 

Why Learn Abhi Kuch Dino Se By Pritam Song?

This is a go-to song for people who are performing in serendas, open mics, or having a casual jam session with their loved ones. You can use different strumming techniques to create a more fuller sound. On the other hand, with the use of arpeggios, you could be creating a softer and more melodic sound as well. 

FAQs – Abhi Kuch Dino Se By Pritam Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What is the theme of the song Abhi Kuch Dino Say? 

Ans. This song talks about the feeling of love, which makes life seem a bit more beautiful and positive. 

Q2. To play Abhi Kuch Dino Se by Pritam, do you require Capo? 

Ans. No capo is required to play this song, but if you want, you can use the capo on the 2nd fret to match the original pitch of the song. 

Q3. Is there a possibility that I can use arpeggios or fingerpicking techniques to play this song? 

Ans. You can use fingerpicking or simple arpeggios to play the intro and different verse sections of the song. 

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Nadaan Parindey as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Chords and Lead, Verses and Vamp, Solo 1, Verse-3, Chorus, Main Solo Rhythm, Bridge and Licks, Final Section, Complete Song with Backing Track and Main Solo Lesson. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!