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.

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.

Zaroorat is a song that has a simplified structure but does include complex chords for you to master. 

The strumming you need to learn is a bit slow and controlled, so it comes down to you to adjust dynamics, like playing it softer during verse sections and playing it more open during the chorus to provide the song's emotional progression. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: In this introduction, you will be meeting your guitar instructor, Mike Walker, who is going to show you how to tune up the guitar for this song; here, you need to understand that the tuning is half-step down before you proceed forward. 

Song Arrangement Part 1: This particular section starts at around 20 seconds, and it holds some complex strumming and guitar chords, which are not as beginner-friendly as the other part of this song. You can start with the measure of Em, and from there, you can move to C/E. Keep on playing these two chords back and forth to reach a couple of barre chords like Am, G, and B5.  

Song Arrangement Part 2: Here, you will be playing chords like Em, C, and D. You will be circling around these chords, and at the end, when you are playing these chords at 2/10, then you have to go from D to Em only once.  

Song Demo: This is the demonstration of the entire song with the backing track; this is there to help you bridge the gap between the isolated learning of different sections of the song. 

Overdubs: In this part of the song lesson, Mike will be showing you the chords that are played on the second guitar. 

Solo: With this section, you will be learning how to play the epic solo, which comes in between this song and makes it more memorable and a bit more complex to play. 

Improvisation: As the song is in the key of Em, Mike has used the same key to provide you a glimpse of improvisation, which you can do in this song to make it sound fuller. 

Why Learn Zaroorat Song On Guitar?

As you learn this song, you will be adding emotional depth to your song catalog. It’s a perfect mix of richness and Bollywood flair. Zaroorat has a heartfelt guitar part, which makes it possible for you to express your emotions with guitar strings. It’s a song that requires both techniques and a little bit of feel as well. 

Furthermore, the song uses open chords, barre chords, and melodic riffs in solo sections, which results in Zaroorat being a song well accustomed to both acoustic and electric guitar. 

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Pichle Saat Dinoon Mein as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Riff, Verse, and Chorus, Bridge and Outro, Song Demo, Solo Lesson and Improvisation. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Jai Ho (Slumdog Millionaire) as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Intro Lead, Chords, Rhythm, and Backing Track and Capo Version. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Aashiyan means home, and this is one of the few songs from modern-day Bollywood that actually conveys the meaning of comfort, joy, and belonging. When you play this song on guitar, it makes it possible for you to express emotions with the help of music. 

Fun Fact: The song was inspired by French Cafe music with the special use of Accordion, which plays a swing-style rhythm. Composer Pritam really wanted the song to feel like it is coming straight from a European street performance, which matches up with the silent-film feel of Barfi’s storytelling. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: Here is the suggested arpeggio-picking pattern that you can learn if you want to use the fingerpicking technique: 

For chords with the root on the 5th string (like C, Am, F):

5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4

(T – 1 – 2 – 3 – 2 – 1)

For chords with the root on the 6th string (like G):

6 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4

(T – 1 – 2 – 3 – 2 – 1)

• T = Thumb, 
• 1 = Index, 
• 2 = Middle, 
• 3 = Ring.

Strumming Pattern 

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

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction is by Mike Walker who is going to be your guitar instructor for this lesson. Here, he talks about the complexity of the song, how it has a jazz tone to it, and how he’s going to show a copy version of the song, which is a lot easier to play and beginner-friendly at the same time. 

Chords, Rhythm, and Song Arrangement: The song is present in the key of B, and the intro section can be played freely, but even for that, you need to learn the chords and rhythms that are present here for you to learn. 

Song Demo: In this part of the guitar lesson you will get to know how to play the guitar parts of the song with the backing track. 

Easy Version: Right here, Mike shows you how you can place a capo on the 4th fret to play the easier guitar version of the song. 

Why Learn Aashiyan Song?

The melody of the song is quite catchy, making it ideal for singing and playing the song on guitar at the same time. It also helps in improving your strumming control, timing, and sensitivity to the music, which allows you to easily shift between verses and chorus. 

FAQs – Aashiyan From The Movie Barfi Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is Aashiyan's song beginner-friendly on guitar?

Ans. The chords used in the song are pretty simple, and the strumming pattern, too, is beginner-friendly. 

Q2. What is the original key of the song?

Ans. The song is present in the key of B, making it suitable for guitarists who are just starting their musical journey. 

Q3. Are there arpeggios used in the song Aashiyan? 

Ans. The original recording of the song uses full instrumentation, but if you want, you can add a little arpeggio pattern during the verse section of the song. 

Humnava is a soulful and emotional song; the song is known for having a heart-touching melody and simple yet expressive chord progression. It’s an ideal song for every guitarist who wishes to combine technical skills with that of musical feeling. 

This version of the song uses open chords, making it quite easier for beginners to learn in jiffy. The song's tempo is pretty soothing and steady, which makes it a perfect option for individuals who wish to sing and play their guitar at the same time. 

Song Structure 

Song Arrangement: This right here is the easier guitar version of the song Humnava provided by Steve Luciano. In this song arrangement, Steve shows how it is different from the full version. In addition to this, the strumming pattern is quite straightforward as well, and you will first learn how to play the intro part, then the verse, and finally the outro. 

Song Demo: Right here, Steve is going to give a proper guitar demo of this song from start to finish as the backing track gets played alongside. 

Why Learn Humnava Song On Guitar?

As you play this song, you will learn how to switch between open chords to create a clean transition quickly; this will improve your control over fretting hands along with the overall fluency of the instrument. 

The gentle strumming pattern that you will learn here is going to help you maintain consistent timing and dynamics. 

FAQs – Humnava Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. In which key do I have to play the song Humnava on guitar?

Ans. You should play this song in a key of A minor; the A minor is responsible for providing it with a melancholic, soulful sound. Likewise, if you wish to play it like an original track, you might require a capo on the first fret or 2nd fret, depending on the version you wish to play. 

Q2. Which particular scales can I use in the song Humnava for pushing melodic fills or solos in the song? 

Ans. The A minor scale and A minor pentatonic scale work perfectly for creating an emotional intro for this song. 

Q3. What time signature does the song Humnava is present in? 

Ans. This song lesson follows a 4/4 time signature, which is quite easy to keep up and suitable for practicing timing and dynamics.

Q4. Shall I use fingerpicking with this song? 

Ans. If you wish, you can go with fingerpicking in parts of the song Humnava; for starters, you can replace standard strumming with a back Travis picking or a simple plucking pattern. With these replacements, you will be giving this song a more delicate and intimate feel. 

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