Introduction

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. 

Welcome to the guitar lesson on what is a fun experimental track collaborated upon by Pritam and Shah Rukh Khan, Safar from the movie Jab Harry Met Sejal, a modern Indian interpretation of the 1989 Hollywood film When Harry Met Sally. The song has received over 15 million views on YouTube since its release in 2017.

The song is about life as a journey, which is the underlying theme of the movie. Specifically, the narrative around the circle of life, returning to the place one started from after a long journey, i.e. Safar. The lyrical motif of the song is “I don’t belong here or there, I belong to the journey”.

Safar Guitar Lesson

Safar 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, starting from the intro that talks about the chords and different voicings of those chords, through the overdubs and the guitar solo section, to the final section that talks about improvisation on the track.

The song is mostly in the key of C major, but by the genius of Pritam, one of the most prominent music directors of the Bollywood music industry, the song also goes to the G major. The D major and the F major chords, which straddle the two keys, create a unique sound for the song.

The song intro has a swinging rhythm pattern and follows minor 7th and suspended chords, underlying the uncertain, ambiguous and suspenseful nature of the journey of life. The guitar solo is based on the A minor pentatonic scale and features string bending and controlled vibrato techniques, which are very good for practicing those techniques for a beginner.

The acoustic and electric overdubbed motifs play between the verses and chorus, again using techniques like palm-muted picking that the tutor refers to as ‘percolated’ effect on the electric guitar and a major 7th arpeggio on the acoustic guitar.

In the section on improvisation, the tutor demonstrates some of the advanced techniques like pinch harmonics and a whammy bar dive and legato runs. These techniques played over the A minor pentatonic scale up and down the neck make it sound like a classic rock guitar solo.

FAQs

Q. Is Safar suitable for beginners?

The chords themselves are basic, but the song's phrasing and dynamic control may require practice. Beginners can start by learning the chord changes and then focus on the strumming pattern.

Q. What are the main chords used in Safar?

The primary chords are Am7, Fsus2, Dmaj9, with occasional transitions to an F# major in the first section of the song; the latter part of the song features the standard F, C, G and D major chords.

Q. What is the strumming pattern for the song?

The strumming follows a gentle, flowing 4/4 rhythm, down, down-up, up-down-up sequence. Fingerpicking can also be used for the intro and verses to make it feel melodic.

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Kholo Kholo as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction and Intro Riff, Verse and Chorus and Interlude and Outro. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

In this video lesson J.J. Pattishall teaches how to play the song Wake Me Up When September Ends as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Song Arrangement, Rhythm, Song Demo and Solo Lesson. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

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!

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

Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon – Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson for Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon, a touching Hindi song that became hugely popular soon after its release in 2015. Sung by Armaan Malik and composed by Amaal Mallik, the song beautifully captures the feeling of love that stays alive even when two people are apart. The lyrics express this emotional idea in a simple but powerful way, with lines like “Main rahoon ya na rahoon, tum mujh mein kahin baaki rehna,” meaning “Whether I am here or not, stay somewhere inside me.”

The song’s music video adds another layer to the story, featuring Bollywood actors Emraan Hashmi and Esha Gupta, shot in the picturesque setting of Goa. The visuals tell a gentle, heartfelt tale of two people connected by love despite their struggles. The song has been praised for its emotional depth and was recognized with awards for both its music and video, which speaks to how much it resonated with fans. It’s a song that feels personal and timeless, making it perfect for anyone who wants to learn a romantic, meaningful tune on guitar.

Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon – Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, instructor Steve Luciano breaks down a simple version of Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon that’s perfect for beginner and intermediate players. The chords used in the song include G, D7, Em7, Am7, Dsus4, B7, A, F, and Fmaj7. Steve carefully explains each chord, focusing on making them easy to switch between, so the song flows smoothly.

He also shows how to handle the more complex chords like F and Fmaj7 by using simplified finger positions that still sound full but aren’t overwhelming for new players.

Steve’s approach to teaching the strumming pattern is relaxed and easy to follow. He demonstrates a gentle rhythm that fits the soft mood of the song, helping learners capture the emotional tone without rushing or overcomplicating things.

The pattern combines downward and upward strums in a way that supports the vocal melody, making it easier for those who want to sing along while playing. Steve also encourages players to listen closely to the original track to get a feel for the pacing and dynamics.

Beyond chords and strumming, Steve touches on small musical details like where to let notes ring longer and how to add little pauses for effect. These subtle tips help bring out the song’s tender vibe and make your playing sound more expressive. He also offers advice on timing changes, especially around the chorus, so you can keep the song’s natural flow.

The lesson is designed to make the learning process feel smooth and enjoyable, even if you’re new to guitar.

FAQs

Q. Is this version good for beginners?

Yes, Steve’s simplified chord shapes and strumming pattern are beginner-friendly and easy to follow.

Q. Can I play this song without barre chords?

Absolutely. Steve shows easier alternatives for the harder chords so you don’t have to use barre chords if you’re not comfortable with them yet.

If needed add some text content with lesson to show on viewer's screen.

Bohemian Rhapsody – Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on what is referred to as the greatest rock song of all time, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. It is a 6-minute ‘suite’ –a musical performance that typically includes four or five dances, according to Western classical music. But Bohemian Rhapsody is nothing like a classical piece. It is, in fact, the opposite of a classical piece. It is an alternative rock song parodying orchestral music.

Freddie Mercury was born to Parsi-Indian parents in Zanzibar, which is an island town on the east coast of Africa. After the Zanzibar revolution began, they had to flee to Middlesex, England, to save their lives. Since that is the environment Freddie grew up around, it makes sense for him to choose alt-rock and prog-rock as his genres.

Bohemian Rhapsody Guitar Lesson

The lesson on this song is taught by our beloved expert, Mike Walker, who explains all the different sections of the song –and there are many –in the simplest of ways. The lesson is divided into multiple sections, explaining all the parts of the song section by section –from the intro that talks about the chords and different voicings of those chords, to the rhythms and solos of the song.

The song contains an iconic intro, a ballad segment, an orchestral passage, a rock progression, an iconic solo, and an outro. It is almost as if the song is a contraption of multiple songs. Consequently, it has a number of chords and key changes. The instructor, though, gives time to explain all the changes meticulously.

The song follows the following keys: B♭ Major, E♭ Major, A Major and F Major. With most of the chords being non-standard shapes, for instance, the intro features flat-6 and 7th chords, and minor 7th chords. There is a motif in the verse that makes the section iconic –a set of repeating two notes –G to F while on a Bb chord, A to G on the Gmin, and D to C on the Cmin. The instructor shows how to play it in great detail and along with the original track.

Another iconic part of the song is Brian May’s guitar solo, which has been deemed one of the greatest solos of all time. Featuring a guitar that Brian built in his garage, sloppy vibratos, dynamics, and pure emotional playing make it one of the greatest.

The lesson also has a breakdown of the main solo and the outro solo, including the rhythm distortion guitar parts as well, shown in full by the tutor.

Q. Is Bohemian Rhapsody playable on an acoustic guitar?

Yes, once you master the chord shapes, you can easily play the fingerstyle version of the song and sing along.

Q. What effects does Brian May use?

Brian used a Phaser pedal into a treble booster that then went into a Vox AC30.

Q. How do I sing and play this at the same time?

Practice playing the chords first. The ballad actually follows the vocal melody and so mastering the chords can easily get you there.

If needed add some text content with lesson to show on viewer's screen.

Muskurane Ki Wajah - Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on one of the most famous romantic ballads from the previous decade, Muskurane by Arijit Singh. The song is from the movie ‘Citylights’, which is highly acclaimed for showing the cruelty of a modern city commonly referred to as the city of dreams. The song received the Song of the Year Award at the Mirchi Music Awards and has amassed more than 60 million views on YouTube since its release in 2014.

Muskurane Ki Wajah translates to ‘reason for a smile’, which is a romantic expression towards a beloved. The plot of the film revolves around a couple who migrate to a Tier 1 city in search of a livelihood, but have to face deceit from the city. Through the song, the character is conveying to his beloved that “you are the reason for my smile, in the times when life is tough”.

Muskurane Ki Wajah Guitar Lesson

Muskurane guitar lesson is taught by our expert, J.J. , 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.        

To play the song in the original key and with standard chord shapes, a capo is needed on the 2nd fret. Advanced players can move to barred versions of the chords, should they not feel comfortable with the capo. The strumming of the song is unique in the sense that although the song can be played using the standard eight-note strumming, the strumming used here is that of the fifth-note pattern. This gives the song a breathing-like movement, where the empty three strums of a bar rest. 

The song features a unique cadence that goes from an E major to an A minor, which creates a beautiful tension and release in the song, and even more unique is the fact that on the chord that brings the tension, the song lyrics also talk about discomfort, both of which later resolves to a minor chord and a comfortable meaning.

Muskurane lyrics, along with the tabs, are also available beside the video lesson that you can refer to while learning the song. 

FAQs

Q. Is Muskurane beginner-friendly?

This lesson is best suited for beginners to early intermediates. You’ll need basic knowledge of open chords and simple strumming patterns.

Q. What chords are used in this song?

The song revolves around Am, G, and F with the occasional E, with the capo on the 2nd fret. The song is originally in the key of B minor, and therefore, without the capo, you’ll need to play the barre chords. 

Q. Do I need a capo for this song?

Yes, we recommend using a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original pitch and make chord shapes easier to play.