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.

Afreen Afreen - Introduction

Afreen Afreen is a legendary Sufi-inspired love song originally composed by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in the 1990s. The song’s poetic lyrics, written by Javed Akhtar, celebrate divine beauty and love through rich metaphors. The 2016 Coke Studio Pakistan version, performed by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Momina Mustehsan, brought the song back into the spotlight. Their rendition blends classical Sufi elements with modern production, creating a mesmerising duet that captivated millions worldwide.

The Coke Studio version stands out for its emotional depth and stunning vocal performances. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s powerful qawwali-style singing contrasts with Momina Mustehsan’s softer tone. The arrangement mixes traditional instruments like the tabla and harmonium with electric guitars and synths, giving the song a fresh feel. With over 500 million YouTube views, this version remains one of the most beloved Pakistani songs ever recorded.

Afreen Afreen Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Walker, this lesson covers how to play "Afreen Afreen" in Eb standard tuning (Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb). The song is in A major, but since the guitars are tuned down a half-step, the shapes you play will sound in Bb major. The main chord progression follows A - F#m - D - E, creating a rich, emotional foundation for the vocals.

The strumming pattern is slow and flowing, matching the song’s romantic mood. Use downstrokes on the main beats with light upstrokes in between to keep the rhythm gentle. The verses feature arpeggiated chords, where you pluck individual strings to highlight the melody. The chorus switches to fuller strums for a bigger sound.

For the lead parts, the song uses the A major scale (A-B-C#-D-E-F#-G#) with occasional slides and bends for expression. The instrumental breaks include melodic phrases inspired by classical Indian music, so focus on smooth transitions between notes. The tuning (Eb standard) gives the guitar a deeper, warmer tone that fits the song’s soulful vibe.

Beginners should start by learning the chord shapes and slow strumming. Intermediate players can work on the arpeggios and lead fills. Advanced players should focus on the nuances, like vibrato and dynamics, to capture the song’s emotional depth.

FAQs

Q. Why is the tuning Eb standard?

The lower tuning matches the original recording’s key and gives the guitar a richer, deeper sound.

Q. How do I play the arpeggios smoothly?

Pluck each string one by one in order (root, third, fifth) and let the notes ring together.

Q. What scale is used for the lead parts?

The A major scale, with occasional bends and slides for a vocal-like feel.

Q. Can I play this in standard tuning?

Yes, but you’ll need to transpose the chords up a half-step (Bb major shapes).

Q. How to make it sound more authentic?

Add light reverb and play with expressive phrasing, mimicking the vocal melodies.

Tu Jaane Na - Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on one of the greatest and most famous romantic songs of the 2010s, Tu Jaane Na by Kailash Kher. This is the unplugged version of the song that features guitars and the magical voice of legendary vocalist Kailash Kher. This song has taken a special place in the hearts of all lovers, young and old, since the time of its release, and has received more than 31 crore views on YouTube.

The song is about love. Tu Jaane Na translates to ‘you don’t know,’ which completes as ‘you don’t know how much I love you’ as the song lyrics go. It is about the discomfort of being in love and not being able to fully and truly express one’s feelings. As is the main plot of the film, this song is an important part of.

Tu Jaane Na Guitar Lesson

The guitar lesson on Tu Jaane Na is brought by Mike Walker, who 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, there is discussion about the individual overdubbed guitar part, finally rounding the lesson with a solo improvisation demonstration.

The song is in the key of A major and features all but the diminished chords from the scale. There is also a suspended version of the A and D major, as well as a unique F#m7 11 chord, which is only in the intro section of the song that involves picking. The tutor explains the intro section in great detail.

Since this is a very acoustic forward song, there is a unique strumming pattern that is different from the standard DUU DUU DUDU, and goes like –D - U D U D - U - D (D is a downward strum and U is an upward strum). This folk-style strumming gives the song a stable rhythm and moves it forward.

There is also an easy version of the chords that the instructor demonstrates in the latter sections of the lesson. There is also an improvisation section, the ideas of which are based on the F#minor pentatonic and the A major scale up the fretboard.

FAQs

Q. What level of guitarist is Tu Jaane Na lesson for?

This unplugged version is easily playable for early intermediate players. You’ll need some comfort with barre chords, open chords, and basic fingerpicking or strumming techniques, depending on how you want to play it.

Q. What tuning is used in Tu Jaane na unplugged version?

Standard tuning (E A D G B E) is used for this version. No capo is needed unless you want to change the key for your vocal range.

Q. What chords are used in Tu Jaane Na?

The chord progression includes A, Bm, C#m, and occasionally F#m or E, and other major scale chords depending on the arrangement.

Welcome to the guitar lesson for Dariya, the soft and emotional track from the 2016 film Baar Baar Dekho. Written, composed, and sung by Arko Pravo Mukherjee, this song has a personal and heartfelt tone that sets it apart from other romantic numbers in Bollywood. Arko’s voice, paired with a delicate acoustic arrangement, makes Dariya feel more like a quiet moment than a typical film song.

Lyrically, Dariya uses the image of a river as a way to talk about longing and resistance to change. The line “O dariya, mujhe nahi jaana uss paar” isn’t just romantic, it’s also about not wanting to move on or drift away from the person you love. That’s what gives the song its emotional weight. It’s not just about love, but about the fear of losing it. It resonated deeply with listeners when it came out, especially those who found something familiar in its stillness and simplicity.

Dariya Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, instructor Steve Luciano breaks down Dariya in a calm and clear way that matches the tone of the song. The track is played with a capo on the 1st fret, which raises the pitch slightly and gives the guitar a softer, warmer sound. The chords used in this version are very beginner-friendly and include G, Am7, C, Cadd9, Em7, and G/D. Steve walks through each one slowly, explaining the subtle differences between standard chords and their extended versions. For instance, Cadd9 is just a C chord with the added 9th note, which gives it a brighter, fuller feel. Em7 is like a regular Em but with a hint of openness that makes the transitions smoother.

The strumming pattern Steve demonstrates is meant to keep things simple and emotional. The rhythm follows the vocal phrasing more than a strict count, which makes it a great lesson for those learning how to “feel” a song rather than just play through the motions. He also gives tips on how to mute the strings slightly with your palm to make certain parts sound more intimate, especially during the verses.

What makes this lesson especially accessible is that even though the chords repeat often, Steve adds small details, like where to let a chord ring or when to use a hammer-on that make your playing feel closer to the original. He also talks about how to switch from open chords to chords like G/D smoothly, even if you’re new to them. And since this is a fingerstyle-friendly song, Steve shows a picking variation toward the end that you can use instead of strumming if you want to bring out the softer side of the track.

FAQs

Q. Can I play Dariya without a capo?

Yes, but it will sound lower in pitch than the original. Using a capo on the 1st fret brings the tone closer to the studio version and helps match Arko’s vocal range.

Q. Is this lesson suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. The chords are mostly open and easy to play. Even the extended chords like Cadd9 and Em7 are simple once Steve explains them.

Iktara is the soul-touching song composed by none other than Amit Trivedi, and the lyrics of the song were penned down by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The song plays a crucial role in the movie, reflecting the personal growth of the main character and his introspection. 

Fun Fact: The song was not meant to be the emotional centrepiece of the movie; in fact, it was added pretty late in the film because the production team felt that there was a need for a soulful and reflective track in the movie. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The given progression C – G – Am – F has to be repeated throughout the verse, and it forms the base of the arpeggiated picking. 

Apart from this, the basic arpeggio pattern which you should follow is this: P – I – M – A – M – I. 

Apply this to:

• C chord (P = 5th string)
• G chord (P = 6th string)
• Am chord (P = 5th string)
• F chord (P = 6th string)

Strumming Pattern 

The 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: In the introduction of this song lesson, Steve gives an overview of the song and the things you are going to learn in this lesson. He also gives you a sneak peek of how the song uses open chords and easy strumming patterns that are beginner-friendly. 

Song Arrangement: Here you are going to learn the chords and rhythm of the main guitar, which sets the tone of the song. Steve will show you all the base notes that you require to play this one. 

Solo 1: This solo is present in the key of G, and Steve will play the solo for you to show you where you need to put your fingers in order to mimic the exact sound that you hear in the song. 

Solo 2: The second solo is a bit longer than the first one, and it is present in the G tonality. You can copy the finger placement that is used by Steve in this lesson, or you can change it according to your comfort and knowledge. 

Song Demo: In the final section of this guitar lesson, Steve is going to play the guitar parts of the song while the song is being played in the background. 

FAQS – Iktara (Original) Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who composed the song Iktara for the movie Wake Up Sid? 

Ans. The song was composed by Amit Trivedi and sung by Kavita Seth and Amitabh Bhattacharya. 

Q2. Is the song beginner-friendly for people who are new to guitar? 

Ans. Yes, it is considered to be a great song for beginners to learn as it features open chords and has a gentle strumming pattern. 

Q3. Are there any arpeggios present in the song Iktara? 

Ans. Yes, you can use arpeggios in the intro and verse section of the song; it works pretty well with the soft acoustic version. 

This guitar lesson of Dil Dhadakne Do is to help you learn the energetic and groovy tone of the song, which makes it iconic and memorable. It’s a song that follows a funk-pop rhythm in addition to rock undertones. 

In addition to the song, you will also learn tight strumming, upbeat timing, and performance-ready skills, which are essential for both solo and band-style setups. Both Farhan Akhtar and Priyanka Chopra have given their voices, which results in the refreshing indie-pop twist to the song. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: In this intro, you will be introduced to your guitar instructor, Mike Walker, who will show you how to tune up the guitar for this song. 

Song Arrangement: Right here is the structured breakdown of the song; you will learn how the different parts, such as verse, intro, chorus, and bridge of this song, should be played on your electric guitar.This is the most crucial part of the lesson because it allows you to understand the musical journey of this song.

Song Demo: Here, Mike will play the guitar parts with the backing track to help you see how you need to sync up the guitar chords with the vocals and the other instruments; with this song demo, you get to see, hear, and feel the song in action. 

Improvisation: For the improvisation, Mike has taken the route of introducing a bluesy tone in the song. To achieve this sound, he used a B-flat scale. He will first play the song in the given scale and then explain how it affects the overall sound of the song.  

FAQs – Dil Dhadakne Do Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. How does the key of the song Dil Dhadakne Do influence the chord selection?  

Ans. The song is in the key of D major; this particular key gives the entire song a bright and more uplifting tone. It also defines the feel-good progression, which makes the song lively and upbeat. 

Q2. How should I adapt my guitar strumming to learn Dil Dhadakne Do? 

Ans. The song follows a common time stamp of 4/4; to match it, you need to make sure that your strumming follows syncopation, with accented upstrokes and dynamic variations. If you wish, you can also add muted percussive strumming in order to capture the true groove of the original recording.  

Q3) What scales should I be using if I wish to improvise guitar play for this song? 

Ans. You should be sticking to D major to create a melodic improvisation; on the other hand, for simpler soloing, you can go with D major pentatonic, and if you wish to add more depth to the song, you can use D Lydian raise to the 4th during the instrumental breaks or outro of the song. 

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Kill Dil Title Track as part of our Guitar series on song lessons. The song lesson is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!