July Matham - Introduction

July Matham is a beloved Tamil song from the 1993 film Pudhiya Mugam, composed by A.R. Rahman in his early career. The song features the legendary voices of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and Annupamaa, with lyrics by Vairamuthu. It is set in Pilu raga, which gives it a sweet yet melancholic feel. The film tells the story of an assassin who transforms into a hero, and this song plays during a key emotional moment.

The melody flows gently, with soft orchestration and expressive vocals. Rahman’s use of harmonies and subtle rhythm changes makes the song stand out. Even today, it remains a favorite among fans of 90s Tamil music because of its simple yet deep emotional appeal. The way the vocals glide through the notes makes it perfect for guitar adaptation.

July Matham Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Walker, this lesson covers the song’s structure in D minor, shifting to D major in some sections. The harmonic minor scale (D-E-F-G-A-Bb-C#) is used for the sorrowful parts, while the major scale brightens the mood. The chords follow a cycle of Dm - Bb - F - C, with occasional passing chords like Gm and A7 for tension.

The strumming pattern is relaxed, matching the 6/8 rhythm. Use downstrokes on beats 1 and 4, with light upstrokes in between. The pre-chorus has arpeggiated chords, where you pluck individual notes instead of strumming. The chorus returns to fuller strums, emphasizing the emotional highs.

For the melody, focus on the D minor pentatonic scale (D-F-G-A-C). The vocal line moves smoothly, often sliding between notes. On guitar, try bending into some notes for expression, like bending the F (1st fret, high E string) slightly upwards. The bridge shifts to D major, changing the mood completely before returning to the minor key.

Beginners should practice the chord transitions first, especially Dm to Bb. Intermediate players can work on the arpeggiated sections, ensuring each note rings clearly. Advanced players can experiment with subtle vibrato and slides to mimic the vocal phrasing.

FAQs

Q. How to play the arpeggios smoothly?

Pluck the strings one by one in order and keep your fingers close to the frets. Avoid moving your arm and try maintaining a rhythm with moving only your wrists.

Q. Why does the song switch between minor and major?

The minor scale brings sadness, while the major parts add hope, matching the song’s emotional journey.

Q. Can I use a pick for this song?

Yes, you can use a pick for the picking patterns but the songs’ authentic feel comes only when fingerpicking is involved.

Q. What effects should I use?

A little reverb and delay help recreate the original’s dreamy sound. 

Introduction:

Dildara is a song that was based on Ben E. King’s legendary track Stand By Me but with the inclusion of a Bollywood twist, making it the best of both worlds. Sony Music officially acquired the rights for the song Stand By Me to use in this song’s composition. 

Fun Fact: Dildara is one of the rare Bollywood songs that legally samples an international hit. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson:

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: With the use of arpeggios, you can make the song more emotional and soft for the ears. 

Let’s use string numbers for clarity:

6 (low E) → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 1 (high E)

For most of these chords, focus on strings 5 to 1 since root notes for C, Am, and F are on the 5th string.

Strumming Pattern 

You need to understand that the groove of the song is pretty mellow making the chords produce sound beautifully. Also, the strumming pattern it follows is quite a standard one which you can use in most of the Bollywood songs. D - DU - UDU. 

• D = Down Strum 
• U = Up Strum 

Song Structure:

Chords, Rhythm, and Rhythm: For this guitar lesson, your guitar instructor is going to be Will MacMorran; first, he will showcase how to tune your guitar for the song; on the other hand, he will show you why you should be using a capo on 2nd fret. 

Why Learn this Song?

Learning a Dildara song on guitar is pretty simple; it follows classic chords, making it a perfect choice for beginners who are just about to embark on a guitar learning journey. In addition to this, as you play this song, you will learn how to smoothly transition between various chords and develop rhythm along with strumming skills. 

FAQs-Dildara Song Guitar Lesson:

Q1. Was Ra One Hit?

Ans. The budget of the film was around 150 crore rupees, and it was able to make 207 crore worldwide, making it a commercial success. 

Q2. Who was the main villain of the movie Ra One? 

Ans. Ra One was the name of the main villain; the character was portrayed by Arjum Rampal, and the villain was a modern avatar of the mythological figure Raavan. 

Q3. What was the name of the kid in the movie Ra One? 

Ans. In the movie, the name of the kid is Prateek Subramanium, and the role is played by Armaan Verma. 

Q4. Will there ever be Ra One 2? 

Ans. Anubhav Singh, in an interview, said that there will be a Ra One sequel coming in years to come.

Sun Le Re is a soulful track from the 2013 political thriller Madras Cafe. The composition was done by Shantanu Moitra, and Papon beautifully sang it. It’s a song that perfectly blends Indian classical elements with modern instrumentation to provide listeners with an introspective tone. 

You might not know this, but Sun Le Re was initially cut from the final editing of the film because it did not match the overall theme of the movie, which was pretty intense and fast-paced. But the director wanted it to be in the film because it would give emotional gravity to the film’s characters. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction is by Mike Walker, who shows you how to tune up a guitar to play this song. In addition to this, he also shares that the song is present in the key of D major. 

Song Arrangement - Part 1: This is the first part of the song arrangement, which has a more piano tune to it, but Mike here shows you how to play the same tune on guitar. 

Song Arrangement - Part 2: In here, you will learn the underlying rhythm that is present beneath the solo, which is part of the song. 

Song Demo: In this section, you will see how Mike plays the guitar chords with the backing track. He also shared some tips on how to play the song on acoustic guitar. 

Solo Lesson: The solo in this song is present in the key of D major and has a B minor scale to it. Mike has divided the solo into different licks in order to make it easier for you to understand how to play it. 

Overdubs: This section talks about the overlaying guitar chords that secondary guitarists play to add more depth to the song. 

Simple Version: Here is a simplified version of the above song lesson, this is for acoustic players, and here Mike plays the song with the backing track while explaining to you where you should be making changes in order to simplify the guitar playing. 

FAQs – Sun Le Re Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is the song Sun Le Re beginner beginner-friendly? 

Ans. Well, in truth, it is a difficult song, but with this guitar lesson, you can also find an easier version of it, which uses basic chords such as Am, G, F, C, and Em. The beginner version is good for people who are comfortable with chord transitions. 

Q2. What are some of the main playing styles in this song? 

Ans. The verse section of the song works best if you use a fingerpicking technique or light arpeggios. On the other hand, for a chorus, gentle strumming is best for providing dynamic variation. 

Q3. What is the time signature of the song Sun Le Re? 

Ans. The time signature is 4/4 with a slow tempo, which usually helps in precise and emotive playing. 

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Kabhi Kabhi Aditi as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Main Riff, Verses and Instrumental Sections, Song Demo and Easy Version of the Song. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Sinbad the Sailor (Concert Version) From Rock On

For any Indian musician who aspires to be a guitarist, we are sure you must have watched Rock On at least once in your lifetime. Rock On!! is a killer movie that has some of the best rock songs that Bollywood was able to produce.

Fun Fact: The lyrics of the song are more than just poetic; they also symbolize the journey of the band, which is the main plot of the movie. The guitar solo present in the song was improvised live during the recording of the song in the studio, and composers thought about keeping it for the final take.

Song Structure 

Introduction: For this guitar lesson, you will be learning from Mike Walker; in this part of the lesson, he is going to show you how to tune your guitar in order to play this song.

Intro Riff: The intro riff of the song is a 24-bar long guitar tune, which is broken down into 4 bars in order to make it easier for you to learn the tune. 

Keyboard Intro: This is an additional part of the guitar, this particular tune is more of a synth tune, but Mike, your guitar instructor for this lesson, has shown how you can play the same tune on your guitar as well. 

Verse, Chorus, and Interlude: This section of the song is pretty similar to the intro riff, here you will be using the same chord progression for playing verse and chorus. 

Bridge: In this part of the lesson, you will learn about all the four different bridges that are part of the song. 

With Backing Track: Now here, Mike is going to show you how to play the entire song in sync with the backing track. 

Solo 1: Here, you will be learning how to play the main solo of the song; again, the solo uses the same chords that you learned in the intro riff and in the verse and chorus section. 

Outro Solo: The outro solo of the song is something you might not be able to hear if you are not listening to the song very closely. 

Improvisation: In this section you will learn some more tips and tricks that you can use to play this song.

Why Learn Sinbad the Sailor (Concert Version) From Rock On?

Sinbad the Sailor has a touch of Indian classical tone in addition to the progressive rock energy which is something hard to find. If you are learning new forms of music, this particular song allows you to expand your musical horizon and find out how Indian melodies are able to merge with Western rock music. 

FAQs – Sinbad the Sailor (Concert Version) From Rock On Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who were the lead singers of Sinbad the Sailor? 

Ans. There were two lead singers in this song; the first one is Farhan Akhtar, who also acted in the movie as one of the band members. Other than him, the second singer was Raman Mahadevan, son of Shankar Mahadevan, who composed the album for the movie. 

Q2. Who composed the song? 

Ans. The composer for the song was Shankar-Eshaan-Loy; the trio is known for blending rock with Indian sounds. 

Q3. What makes this particular song so special in the film? 

Ans. This is the song that helps audiences who are watching the film to identify the band, the song is being performed in a key moment when the band is trying to connect with their original energy. 

Tamanna – Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on a timeless Punjabi classic song loved and celebrated all over India. Tammana by Prabh Gill is a song about falling in love, where the singer is expressing his desires. This song has been plucking the heartstrings of its listeners since 2012, and has collected more than 8M views on YouTube since, with comments like – “I love this song a lot, I have also sent it to my girlfriend” and “I am in love with this song.....with every word… {heart emoji}”.

This song is written in Punjabi and talks about love is a way that is transformative. In the chorus, the singer expresses his sole desire –the love should transform us in a way that we see god in each other. This is because the song is set in the traditional north indian culture where love has connotations of divinity and grandeur.

Tamanna Guitar Lesson

The guitar lesson on Tammana is brought by Mike Walker, wo explains all the guitar parts of the song, section by section. The initial sections talk about the chords and rhythm patterns of the song and in the sections that follow, the instructor goes on to explain the various guitar parts –chord voicings, solos, and fills that the song consists of.

The song is in the key of Bb Major, which means the way to play the chords of the song using standard shapes is by using a capo on the 1st fret. The chords of the song follow a minor key for the most part, and only in the chorus do they go to a more major sound. The tutor explains how to capture this movement well with the strumming pattern – D - UDUD - UDUD - DU (D is a downward strum and U is an upward strum.)

The special thing about this song is that it does not have drums in it, which means that all percussive effects are produced by the guitars and the bass. This leaves room for a lot of melodic motifs to fill the space left empty by the absence of drums. Hence, the song has multiple solos and melodic lines that sound beautiful.

Another special thing about this song is that it features a sitar solo near the end of the track, which, although it sounds difficult to play because of the signature picking technique, the instructor shows the way to play the sitar solo on a guitar in an easy way.

FAQs

Q. Is Tamanna suitable for beginners?

Yes. The chords are simple, and the tempo is relaxed. The solos can be learned gradually.

Q. Do I need a capo to play Tamanna?

A capo is not necessarily needed, but the capo raises the default key and makes it easy to play the song.

Q. Is this song beginner-friendly?

A. Yes, this song is beginner-friendly. Once you place the capo at the 1st fret, all you need to do then is play all the standard chord shapes.

Tu Hai - Introduction

Tu Hai is a deeply spiritual and romantic song from the 2016 historical film Mohenjo Daro, starring Hrithik Roshan and Pooja Hegde. Composed by A.R. Rahman, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar, the track blends devotion and love in a way that feels timeless. Sung by Rahman himself along with Sanah Moidutty, the song carries a meditative quality, as if it’s a prayer set to music. The gentle instrumentation—soft flutes, ambient strings, and subtle percussion—creates a dreamy atmosphere that transports listeners to the ancient world of the film.

The lyrics speak of love as something divine, almost sacred, fitting perfectly with the film’s themes of destiny and connection. Rahman’s soft, breathy vocals and Moidutty’s delicate harmonies make the song feel intimate yet grand. While Mohenjo Daro had mixed reviews, the soundtrack stood out, and "Tu Hai" remains one of Rahman’s most cherished compositions for its emotional depth and simplicity.

Tu HaiGuitar Lesson

Taught by Steve Luciano, this lesson breaks down how to play Tu Hai on guitar. The song uses a beautiful chord progression: C, Am7, Fmaj6,9, which gives it a warm, open sound. The Fmaj6,9 chord (played as xx3210) adds a jazzy, dreamy quality that fits the song’s spiritual mood. The strumming is soft and flowing, matching the gentle rhythm of the original track.

The verse follows a C - Am7 - Fmaj6,9 - C pattern, with each chord held for two bars. The strumming should be light—mostly downstrokes with a relaxed feel, letting the notes ring. The chorus introduces slight variations, with the Am7 sometimes replaced by G/B for a smoother transition. The key is to keep the playing fluid and unhurried, as the song moves at a slow, reflective pace.

For the melody, the song mostly uses the C major scale (C-D-E-F-G-A-B), with occasional slides and light vibrato to add expression. The guitar can mimic the vocal lines by playing simple, sustained notes with careful phrasing. The Fmaj6,9 chord is essential—it gives the song its unique, floating quality, so practice switching into it smoothly from Am7.

Beginners should focus on the chord shapes and slow strumming first. Intermediate players can work on adding arpeggios (plucking individual strings) to match the song’s delicate feel. Advanced players can experiment with fingerstyle patterns to bring out the melody within the chords.

FAQs

Q. How do I play the Fmaj6,9 chord?

Fret the 3rd fret on the D string, 2nd fret on the G string, and 1st fret on the B string, leaving the high E open.

Q. What’s the best strumming pattern?

Use slow, gentle downstrokes with occasional upstrokes—let the chords breathe.

Q. Can I simplify the Fmaj6,9 chord?

Yes, you can play a regular F major (133211) if needed, but the 6,9 adds the song’s signature sound.

Q. How do I make it sound more like the original?

Add light reverb and play with a soft touch—avoid heavy strumming.

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Luka Chuppi as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Intro, Chords, and Song Arrangement, Rhythm and Song Demo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!