Introduction and Chords

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?

1. 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?

1. 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.

In this video lesson Pawan Jalan teaches how to play the song Pukarta Chala Hoon Main as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords, and Rhythm . 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!

Welcome to the guitar lesson on a song that’s soaked in melancholy and speaks the language of heartbreak Daayre by Arijit Singh from the 2015 Bollywood film Dilwale. Composed by Pritam and written by Amitabh Bhattacharya, the song is a soft yet powerful ballad about emotional distance and the invisible walls that form between people who once loved each other. Sung by Arijit, the song captures that space between not being able to move on and not being able to go back. Its name, Daayre, which translates to “boundaries,” ties directly into the lyrical theme, the quiet pain of love that is still alive, but kept apart by the weight of the past.

In the film, the track underscores the emotional tension between the lead characters played by Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, as they wrestle with their history and try to make sense of what remains. The lyrics, like “Na marna munasib, jiya bhi na jaaye re”, lay bare the helplessness of wanting something that feels just out of reach.

Daayre – Guitar Lesson

The lesson on Daayre is taught by our expert Mike Walker. The song is in the key of G major, and while it doesn’t rely on complex structures, it uses a set of chords that give the track its soft, moody texture. You’ll be playing chords like G, Dmaj7, D6, D/F#, Em, A, C, and Bm7. Some of these might look unfamiliar at first glance, like Dmaj7 or D6, but Mike explains them in a way that makes them easy to understand. For instance, Dmaj7 is just a D major chord with the 7th scale note added, which adds a dreamy, floating feeling to the progression.

One thing that stands out in Daayre is its smooth voice leading. A good example is the shift from D to D/F#, where only the bass note changes. Mike shows how small changes in your hand positioning can help you glide through these transitions without breaking the flow of the song.

The rhythm pattern used is gentle and steady for a ballad. Mike encourages focusing on dynamics, playing softer or louder depending on the emotional highs and lows of each section. He also shares tips on how to highlight certain beats to bring out the melody hidden in the chords. The lesson wraps up with a full playthrough, and by that point, you’ll be able to join in comfortably, playing along with the emotions just as much as the notes.

FAQs

Q. What level of guitarist is Daayre suitable for?

Daayre works well for late beginner to intermediate players. If you’ve got a grip on basic open chords and can handle a few extended voicings like Dmaj7 or Bm7, you’ll enjoy this lesson.

Q. Do I need a capo for this version?

No capo is required for this lesson. It’s played in standard tuning using open and barre chords.

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!

Shukran Allah is a timeless romantic ballad that is created with a combination of simplicity, soul, and subtle musicality. The composition is the brainchild of none other than Shankar-Eshaan-Loy, and it effortlessly weaves together elegant instrumentation with heartfelt lyrics. 

This song isn’t flashy, and neither is it complex, but it’s the song you need to learn if you wish to understand how a melody is controlled on guitar and how you are able to express emotions with it. The song is built on a simple yet effective chord progression, which is rooted in C major or D major, making it a beginner-friendly guitar song to learn. 

The gentle acoustic guitar elements in the original recording of the song translate wonderfully when you play this song solo. One of the biggest lessons you will have from this song is developing musical sensitivity. 

Strumming Pattern 

The tonality of the song is gentle, so it requires a light and flowing strumming pattern that compliments its romantic and airy vibe; here is the required pattern that would be best for beginners: D – D U – U D U. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

When you are practicing this song, make sure you emphasize the second downstroke in order to create a gentle, rhythmic pulse. During the verse section of the song, play the strumming pattern as lightly as possible, or you can even make a switch to fingerpicking for an intimate feel. 

There is an optional strumming pattern that you can follow: D – x U – U D U. 

Here, X is a soft, muted strum; this adds a whole new sound texture to your strumming. 

Why Learn Shukran Allah Song On Guitar?

The song is not just another generic Bollywood number that you learn on guitar; it’s a routine, an exercise that helps you subtly build chord control, making this song a brilliant choice for guitar learners. 

FAQs – Shukran Allah Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What time signature do you need to follow to play Shukran Allah on guitar? 

Ans. The song follows a 4/4 time signature, which makes it a simple and straightforward guitar song for beginners to learn about rhythm and timing. 

Q2. Is the song Shukran Allah a good song to practice singing and playing guitar at the same time? 

Ans. Yes, due to its steady rhythm and simple chord progression, you don’t have to keep a lot of fret positions in your mind when playing it. In addition to this, the acoustic nature of the song makes it possible for you to experiment with simple arpeggios or even fingerpicking patterns. 

Q3. Can I use chord inversions or higher fret voicings in the song Shukran Allah? 

Ans. Yes, it is possible, but we do not recommend beginners or even intermediate guitar players to try it out because then you have to learn every single inverted or partial chord, which is equivalent to the original one. 

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Iktara (Original) as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Song Arrangement, Solo 1, Solo 2 and Song Demo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Bulleya - Introduction

Bulleya is a groundbreaking Sufi rock song by the legendary Pakistani band Junoon, released in 1999 as part of their album Parvaaz. The track is an adaptation of the poetry of Bulleh Shah, a revered Punjabi Sufi saint, questioning identity and divine love. Composed by Salman Ahmad, the song blends Western rock energy with Eastern spiritual depth, featuring electric guitar riffs, bluesy vocals by Ali Azmat, and traditional tabla rhythms.

Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, Bulleya became Junoon’s signature track, celebrated for its fusion of rock and Sufi philosophy. The lyrics—"Bullah ki jaana main kaun" ("I know not who I am")—reflect the Sufi quest for self-discovery beyond religious labels. Over the years, the song has been reimagined multiple times, including an English version in 2010, and remains a staple in Junoon’s live performances, inspiring countless covers across South Asia.

Bulleya Guitar Lesson

Taught by Salman Ahmad himself, this lesson breaks down the song’s unique chord progressions and Sufi-rock fusion. The track uses D9, Am, Dm7♭9, G6, E7sus4, and Esus4, creating a hypnotic, spiritually charged sound. The D9 (xx0230) and Dm7♭9 (xx0111) chords add tension, while G6 (320000) and E7sus4 (020200) provide resolution, mirroring the song’s themes of seeking and surrender.

The rhythm alternates between a rock-driven 4/4 strum and qawwali-inspired grooves. The main riff, played on electric guitar, uses the D minor pentatonic scale (D-F-G-A-C) with bluesy bends. The verse follows D9 - Am - G6, while the chorus shifts to E7sus4 - Esus4, creating a call-and-response effect. The bridge introduces a Dm7♭9 - G6 vamp, emphasising the Sufi trance-like quality.

For the lead parts, Salman’s playing combines Eastern phrasing (sliding between notes like in a raga) with Western rock techniques (sustained bends, wah pedal). The solo builds on the D harmonic minor scale (D-E-F-G-A-B♭-C#), adding a mystical edge.

Beginners should focus on the D9 and Am transitions first. Intermediate players can work on the sus4 chords and bluesy licks. Advanced players should explore the modal interchange between D minor and D Mixolydian (D-E-F#-G-A-B-C), a key element in Junoon’s sound.

FAQs

Q. How to play the Dm7b9 chord?

Fret the 1st fret on high E (F), 1st on B (C), and leave G open (xx0111).

Q. What’s the strumming pattern for the song Bulleya by Junoon?

Verses: Down-down-up-up-down | Chorus: Aggressive downstrokes on E7sus4.

Q. Why does the E7sus4 go to the Esus4?

The suspended notes (A in E7sus4 resolving to G# in Esus4) mimic qawwali vocal ornamentation.

Q. What is the best way to practice bends?

Target the F to G (1st to 3rd fret, B string)—a key bluesy motif in the solo.

For many homegrown talents, Rock On was the first step towards choosing the life of an artist, be it guitarist, drummer, or vocalist for a band. One of the popular songs from the movie Rock On is Tum Ho Toh; this song is a power-packed rock ballad. It was composed by Shankar-Eshaan-Loy and sung by none other than Farhan Akhtar.

The composer trio Shanker-Eshaan-Loy did not go for a professional singer; they thought about having someone with an unpolished voice that brings out emotional honesty from the singer. As a result, the trio chose Farhan Akhtar as their lead singer for most of their composition for this movie, and this particular choice became the defining element of their album’s appeal. 

So, in a way, Tum Ho Toh was one of the songs that was born out of both musical expertise and vulnerability; the balance between the two was immaculate, and thus, it perfectly captures the ache of emotional emptiness. 

Song Structure 

Introduction and Song Arrangement: For this lesson, Ehsaan Noorani is your guitar instructor; he starts with the basic introduction of the song, where he shares how you can produce the exact sound with the help of delay. He starts with the verse of the song where you will be using C, Dm, and G. 

Song Demo: Once you get a nick of chord progressions you need to play for this song, the next thing to learn is how to keep up your guitar chords with that of other instruments, which are a keyboard and a drum. For this, Ehsaan shows you a full song demo, of the song, that allows you to grasp all the little details of playing this song on guitar. 

Improvisation: Right here, in this part of the song lesson, you get to see some of the improvisation techniques used by Ehsaan Noornai in the outro of the song. He shares his thoughts on how you should implement improvisation in this song to make it sound more unique and special. 

Why Learn Tum Ho Toh (by Ehsaan) Song On Guitar?

The reason why you should be learning this song on guitar is that it is acoustic friendly, the chords are quite simple, and you can play this entire song using open chords if you wish to; as a result, this song feels and sounds pretty impressive without even overcomplicating things. 

Furthermore, with this song, you learn how to infuse your guitar play with emotions; here, you will be going through soft verses and a powerful chorus, which allows you to understand the dynamics of expressive playing. The iconic fingerpicking intro is unmatched when it comes to playing it in a live setup; it is also useful in training your fingers for independence. 

Adiyae Kolluthey – Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on Adiyae Kolluthey, a vibrant romantic track from the 2008 Tamil film Vaaranam Aayiram, directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. This song stands out with its fresh and youthful vibe, beautifully capturing the excitement and innocence of young love. Composed by Harris Jayaraj, Adiyae Kolluthey features the voices of Krish, Benny Dayal, and Shruti Haasan, with lyrics by Thamarai that add a poetic touch to the melody. The song’s lively energy and emotional depth quickly made it one of the most beloved tracks of the film’s soundtrack.

Visually, the song is equally memorable, shot in stunning locations like the University of California, Berkeley, and the scenic San Francisco Bay area. The beautiful backdrops perfectly complement the playful chemistry between the lead actors, Suriya and Sameera Reddy. This combination of heartfelt music and captivating visuals made Adiyae Kolluthey a favorite among fans and helped cement Harris Jayaraj’s place as one of Tamil cinema’s top composers. The song also marked an important moment for Shruti Haasan, establishing her as a strong playback singer in the industry.

Adiyae Kolluthey – Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, Mike Walker takes you through the essentials of playing Adiyae Kolluthey on guitar, using Eb tuning which lowers the pitch a half step from standard tuning. This tuning helps capture the song’s smooth and mellow feel while making some of the chords easier to finger. The main chords you’ll use include power chords like B5, A5, D5, and E5, along with some major chords like C# and F#. Mike breaks down each chord shape slowly so you can get comfortable with the finger placement and maintain the song’s clean tone.

Mike explains that the song’s arrangement relies a lot on these power chords, which give the track a gentle rock edge without overpowering the vocals. The use of power chords instead of full major or minor chords creates a light but driving sound that fits perfectly with the song’s youthful energy. He also points out the smooth transitions between chords like B5 to A5, which require a relaxed hand and practice to sound fluid.

The rhythm of Adiyae Kolluthey is steady and laid-back, sitting comfortably in a 4/4 time signature at a moderate tempo. Mike guides you through the strumming pattern, which combines downstrokes and light upstrokes to keep the momentum moving without becoming too busy. He also offers tips on muting and palm damping to control the tone, which is important to replicate the song’s clean guitar sound. For those looking to add some flair, Mike suggests subtle embellishments using slides and hammer-ons within the chord shapes, making your playing feel more expressive without overcomplicating things.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is Adiyae Kolluthey played in?

The song is played in Eb tuning, which is standard tuning lowered by a half step on every string.

Q. Are power chords difficult to play for beginners?

Not really. Power chords are simpler shapes that focus on the root and fifth notes. With some practice, even beginners can play them smoothly.

Introduction:

Jo Bhi Main is a song that represents the feelings of many teenagers and young individuals who feel that their words are mostly misunderstood. Their words are trapped in their thoughts, and they are finding it hard to express themselves to the world, including their loved ones.  

The song appears early in the movie Rockstar, showcasing Jordan’s transformation from Janardhan Jakhar. 

Fun Fact: For the song, A.R. Rahman brought a group of people on board to give their voices for the background chorus, which was the “Aa... Aa... Aa...” instead of creating the voice of the crowd digitally. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson:

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The song is present in the G major, but if you have a capo, you can put it on the 3rd fret and play the song E major shape to match the original recording of the song. 

The arpeggio section of the song is as follows: 

P I M A M I

| | | | | |

6 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 3 (for Em, G)

5 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 3 (for C)

4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 3 (for D)

Strumming Pattern:

The strumming pattern is pretty mellow, smooth, and expressive; in order to play this song on the guitar, you have to learn the following pattern: D - DU - UD - U 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

Song Structure:

Intro Piece, Chords, & Rhythm: In this section of the guitar lesson, Steve Luciano, your guitar instructor, is going to show you how to play the intro piece of the song with basic guitar chords, the rhythm of the song which you need to follow and other important things which makes it easier for you to play this song. 

Jo Bhi Main (Solo Lesson): The second part of the guitar lesson is taught by Mike Walker where he shows you how to play the iconic guitar solo from the song. The solo starts with the E-minor and Mike has divided it into multiple sections for easier compression. 

Why Learn this Song on Guitar?

Jo Bhi Main is a Bollywood song that is soulful and yet packs amazing rock punches, which made it so popular among teenagers and adults alike. The song uses basic guitar chords depending on the key you choose, thus making it great for individuals who are new to guitar playing. 

In addition to this, the mellow strumming pattern matches up with the depth of the lyrics; this song has a great dynamic of being played softly and with higher intensity. 

FAQs-Jo Bhi Main (Rockstar) Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who was the lead singer for the song Jo Bhi Main from Rockstar? 

Ans. The lead singer for this song was none other than Mohit Chauhan. The composition of the song was done by A.R. Rahman, and the lyrics were written by Irshad Kamil. 

Q2. What is the theme of the song Jo Bhi Main? 

Ans. With this song, the lyricist is trying to express the inner turmoil, self-doubt, and Jordan’s inability to express his true feelings while he is on his journey of becoming a musical maestro. 

Q3. In what genre does Jo Bhi Main fall in? 

Ans. This song is a blend of Indian melodies with that of a rock ballad; the fusion is typical of A.R. Rahman's signature, which he is known for. 

Ishq Haazir Hai is the title track of a short movie of the same name, having lead actors Diljit Dosanjh & Wamiqa Gabbi. It’s a song that is known for being a romantic melody that truly captures the essence of love and longing. 

Furthermore, even a decade after its release, we can still hear this song being played on various radio channels, showcasing that its emotional resonance is still intact among Diljit's fans.

Strumming Pattern 

The main strumming pattern for this song is D-D-U-U-D-D-U. It would be great if you slowly start with just downstrokes; once you get comfortable with the beat, you can then start adding upstrokes in your practice. 

Also, focus more on consistent timing rather than speed in the beginning. Be gentle as you play chords to keep up with the flowing strumming technique required for this song. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction is from J.J. Pattishall; he starts this guitar lesson by showing you the standard guitar tuning that is required for this song. Also, the song is in the key of A minor. For this song, you do need to have a capo, which you will place on the 5th fret. 

Chords and Rhythm: Here, you will get to know about all the chords that you will be playing in this song, along with the rhythm that you have to follow. 

Song Arrangement: J.J. has divided the song arrangement into three sections called the verse and chorus; these two have similar chords, and the third section is a bridge. 

Song Demo: In this part of the song lesson, you will see how to play the entire guitar part of the song with the backing track. 

Ending Lick: There are a few licks positioned here and there in the song, which you will be learning here. 

Overdub Licks: Here, you will learn chords that work as a fill-in for the second guitar; these chords are not played by the lead guitarist, so if you want, you can skip these up. 

Improvisation: Finally, here, J.J. shows you some improvisation techniques that can help you find your own musical tone as you practice this song; from this part, you will be able to develop your own individual style. 

Easy Non-Capo Version: This is a more simplified version of the song, and you don’t need to require Capo for this one. 

Why Learn Ishq Haazir Hai Song On Guitar?

This one is a quick and simple song to learn because of its beginner-friendly chord guides; with this song, you learn smooth chord transitions and learn how to maintain a consistent rhythm from start to finish.