Introduction

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Chahun Main Ya Na as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Piece, Song Arrangement, Song Demo, Acoustic Overdubs, Slide Solo and Improvisation. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Titli is a beautifully composed romantic song from the hit Bollywood movie Chennai Express starring Deepika Padukone and Shahrukh Khan. This song has intricate classical elements with a touch of modern melodies, offering you as a guitarist a rare chance to explore melodic expression and subtle dynamics. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The verse section can be played with a fingerpicking pattern, which is like this: 

P – I – M – A – M – I  

(Thumb – Index – Middle – Ring – Middle – Index)

Where: 

• P = 5th or 6th string (bass note)
• I = 3rd string
• M = 2nd string
• A = 1st string

Strumming Pattern 

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

This particular pattern can be used throughout the chorus and the bridge section of the song. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: In this introduction, J.J. Pattishall tells you the song is in the key of E minor and shows you the position of the capo on the 3rd fret of the guitar. Finally, he also shows you how to tune up the guitar specifically for the song.  

Song Arrangement - Part 1: This section provides you with information about the chords you need to play with the first verse. 

Song Arrangement - Part 2: In this part of the guitar lesson, you are going to learn about the chords that are present in the second verse of the song. 

Song Demo: Here is the demo of how you should be playing the guitar chords with the backing track playing alongside. 

Overdubs: Now that you learned chords for the main guitar, it’s time to check out the chords for the second guitar, which adds a couple of tunes to the song which makes it more special and harmonious. 

Easy Version: Here is the easy version of the same song for beginners. It’s a good song to practice on guitar for newcomers. As a result, J.J. shows you how you can play the entire song with much easier chords using a capo. 

Backing Track Simple Version: This is the part where J.J. shows you how to keep up your simple version guitar chords with the vocals and other instruments that are part of the song. 

Why Learn the Titli Song From Chennai Express?

Titli is a song for which you have to be gentle with your guitar; it uses flowing melodies that are the base for developing expressive and emotive guitar playing. Both the intro and the verse sections of the song fit perfectly with arpeggios or light fingerpicking, thus helping you strengthen your accuracy and feel. 

Furthermore, the song keeps on transitioning from soft verses to soaring choruses, which makes it possible for you to practice volume control and bring emotional contrast in your guitar play with the implementation of different strumming and picking techniques. 

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Ishq Wala Love as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords, Rhythm, and Song Arrangement, Song Demo and Easy Version. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

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 Hai-Guitar 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 Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Jo Bhi Main (Rockstar) as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Intro Piece, Chords, & Rhythm and Jo Bhi Main (Solo Lesson). 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 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!

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.

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

Phir Suna is a song that has a soulful and melancholic feel to it, and this song is the continuation of Gajendra Verma's tradition of crafting soft and heart-touching melodies that could resonate with everyone. 

Fun Fact: Gajendra Verma's song Phir Suna was able to make it big even without any form of marketing because of the fan following he was able to build with his first hit song, Emptiness (Tune Mere Jaana). This song made Gajendra Verma build his presence in the early stages of the Indie music scene in India. 

Strumming Pattern 

The basic strumming pattern for Phir Suna's song on guitar is: D D U D U. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

The first two downstrokes that you will be playing in the song will give you a steady base and the following up and down strokes are there to create a gentle flow for the song. 

Song Structure 

Intro, Chords, and Rhythm: In the introduction section of this guitar lesson, Steve Luciano is going to show you the tuning, chords, and rhythm you need to learn for the song. Also, the song is present in the key of E. 

Song Demo: After you learn about the chords and the rhythm of the song, Steve shows you how to play the guitar parts of the song with the backing track. 

Simple Version: In this part, you will learn how to play a simpler version of the song and the easier strumming pattern you are going to use for it. 

Solo Lesson: Here, you will learn how to play the solo present in the song. 

Why Learn Phir Suna By Gajendra Verma Song?

Phir Suna has an emotional depth that makes people fall in love with the song as you play it for them. In addition to this, the song is beginner-friendly as it uses easy chord progressions. With this song, you can practice expressing feelings through the music. 

FAQs – Phir Suna By Gajendra Verma Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who is the composer of the song Phir Suna?

Ans. The singer and composer of the song Phir Suna is Gajendra Verma, who is known for providing soulful and emotional tracks. 

Q2. What are some of the main chords from the song Phir Suna? 

Ans. The common chords that you are going to play in this song are Am – G – F – E. 

Q3. Is Capo required to play the song Phir Suna on guitar? 

Ans. No capo is not required to play this song unless you are looking to match up with the exact pitch that Gajendra used in the song. 

Bandeyaa is a great track to learn on guitar; with this guitar lesson, you are going to have an understanding of musical structure and chord rhythms. The song has a deep emotional appeal to it, even though the entire composition is a combination of simple yet powerful chords with the addition of expressive vocals. 

With this guitar lesson from Mike Walker, you will learn how to play and capture the raw intensity of Bandeyaa with the help of smooth transitions, dynamic strumming, and beginner-friendly chord shapes. 

Whether you are learning this song to perform solo, thinking about jamming with friends, or just recording a heartfelt cover, this is the lesson that is going to provide you with a thorough guide on how to use different guitar techniques to make your version of Bandeyaa sound more polished and moving. 

Strumming Pattern 

When it comes to learning a strumming pattern for a song like Bandeyaa, you need to go with a pattern that compliments the sound of acoustic guitar, and we just got that for you; here’s the pattern that’s surely going to hit your audience in all the right places as you play this song: D – D U – U D U.

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

An optional strumming variation that you can follow to make the song more expressive: D – D – D U – U D U.

With this strumming, you are going to add a slight pause after the first two strums, giving more space and emotional weight to the song. 

Here are a few tips that will help you strum better and more cohesively: 

• When you are playing this song, make sure you keep the strums gentle and controlled, especially when you reach the verse section of the song; this will help you preserve the emotional feel of the song. 
• As the chorus of the song begins, if you wish, you can slightly increase the strumming intensity to match the build-up. 
• In case you want to play a more intimate version of the song, then it would be best to replace the strumming with light fingerpicking or arpeggios during the intro and the verse sections of the song. 

FAQs – Bandeyaa Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is it possible to play the Bandeyaa song from the movie Jazbaa entirely with open chords on the guitar? 

Ans. Yes, you surely can play the entire song, but you have to place a capo on the 5th fret; with a capo, you avoid bar chords entirely while still maintaining the sound, which is closer to the original recording. 

Q2. Is the song Bandeyaa from Jazbaa good for practicing the fingerpicking technique on guitar? 

Ans. The song uses a slow tempo, and it does have a melancholic vibe to it, which makes it a perfect guitar lesson to practice basic arpeggios or Travis picking, especially when the verse or intro parts of the song come in. 

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Socha Hai as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Lead and Riff, Song Arrangement, Song Demo, Overdub Section, Overdub Demo with Backing, Solo Lesson and Improvisation. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Zinda is more than just a song, and it's a surge of energy, passion and perseverance. It’s a motivational rock song that truly captures the fire that burns inside legendary sprinter Milkha Singh as he takes the journey to become the best not just in his own country but all over the world. 

Fun Fact: The vocals for Zinda have been performed by Siddharth Mahadevan, who is the son of renowned composer Shankar Mahadevan. This was the first song in which Siddharth actually gave his voice as a playback singer. 

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. 

The above-mentioned strumming pattern is just the base pattern. If you really want to capture the true feeling of rock music in this song, then here’s a more dynamic version: D – x U – U D U. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 
• X = mute 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction is from Mike Walker, who is going to be your guitar instructor for this lesson. He talks about how Zinda has a low tempo, and still it falls under the category of rock with the elements of funk guitar. 

Intro Motif and Chorus: Here, you will learn how to play the intro motif of the song, and after that, Mike shows you the chords you need to learn for the first chorus of the song. 

Song Arrangement - Part 1: This part of the lesson shows you the chords that occur from 32 seconds to 44 seconds, then again, the same chords appear later in the song, too, around 247 seconds. 

Song Arrangement - Part 2: This section of the song lesson shows you how to play the 2nd bridge, which comes in the song. It is basically a 2-bar phrase that is played four times. 

Solo Lesson: This section is about the only guitar solo that comes in the song at the 136-second mark and goes till 145 seconds. Mike first plays the solo to show you what it sounds like and then teaches you how to play it. 

Song Demo: In this part of the song lesson, you will see how you need to play the guitar parts in sync with the vocals. 

Improvisation: The final section is about improvisation and tips that you can use to make your guitar sound similar to the official recording of the song. 

Why Learn Zinda From Bhaag Milkha Bhaag?

When you learn this song on guitar, you will be able to build powerful rhythm skills in addition to the aggressive strumming technique. The song is a combination of high-octane rock ballad and emotional playing. As you play this song, it gives you a sense of drive and intensity, which is something rarely found in Bollywood songs.