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.

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.

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

Welcome to the guitar lesson on the rock version of Tum Mile, a powerful reimagining of the original track from the 2009 Bollywood film Tum Mile. Directed by Kunal Deshmukh and featuring Emraan Hashmi and Soha Ali Khan, this version takes the mellow vibe of the original and turns it up with electric guitars and a more intense rhythm. Sung by the talented Pakistani vocalist Shafqat Amanat Ali, the song mixes classical singing styles with rock.

What makes this version special is how it slowly builds from a calm start into a full-on rock anthem with distorted guitar riffs that add tension and release. The lyrics, written by Kumaar and Sayeed Quadri, still express the themes of love and longing, but the rock arrangement gives the song energy and emotion. This rendition has been praised for recreating the familiar tune and has become a favourite among fans.

Tum Mile Rock Version – Guitar Lesson

This guitar lesson is led by our expert Mike Walker, who breaks down the rock version of Tum Mile in detail so you can master it step by step. The song mainly revolves around chords in the key of C major and C minor, which gives the track a moody but powerful feel. Mike carefully explains how to move between these two keys, showing how the shift from major to minor adds emotional tension that fits perfectly with the theme of longing in the song.

The lesson focuses a lot on the electric guitar parts, especially the distorted riffs that give this version its rock character. Mike demonstrates how to play these riffs with the right picking techniques and rhythm, making sure you understand how to get that gritty, edgy sound without losing clarity. He also covers the chord progressions that form the backbone of the song, including some cool transitions that add a little spice to the usual C major and C minor chords.

One important part of the lesson is the rhythm. Unlike a simple strumming pattern, the rock version has a driving beat that builds up the energy as the song progresses. Mike teaches you how to play this rhythm with power and precision, helping you capture the song’s emotional highs and lows. He also provides tips on how to blend clean chord playing with distorted riffs, so you get a balanced sound like the original track. The lesson wraps up with a full playthrough, so you can see how all the parts come together.

FAQs

Q. Is this version of Tum Mile suitable for beginners?

It’s better suited for intermediate players who are comfortable with electric guitar techniques like power chords and distortion.

Q. What tuning is used in the rock version of Tum Mile?

The song uses standard tuning (E A D G B E), so no special tuning or capo is needed.

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Haal E Dil 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!

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.

Introduction:

Te Amo is a song which is full of emotion making it a perfect song to play acoustic guitar. As a result, when you play this song it helps you connect with the mood of love, longing and vulnerability. 

Fun Fact: Te Amo was the first love song which has the blend of Spanish and Hindi language in lyrics. 

Strumming Pattern 

The song is pretty laid back, so the strumming pattern for the reprised version is as follows: D - D U - U D U. 

• D = Down Strum.
• U = Up Strum.  

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction is from Steve Luciano, and in this part of the guitar lesson, you will get to know how to play the song exactly like the reprise version and what it takes to keep the tone perfectly matching that of the original reprise version. 

Intro Piece: In this part you will learn how to play the intro part of the song which is pretty guitar heavy. 

Verse 1, Chorus 1, & Intro 2: On this chapter of guitar lesson you will be finding out how to play the harmony of the song. The verse in the song comes three times in total and when a verse comes chords usually change. 

Verse 2 and Chorus 2: Here Steve will show you the chords you need to play for the 2nd verse and 2nd chorus of the song. 

Interlude, Verse 3, and Chorus 3: In this section, you will learn the small piece of music that plays in between the 2nd verse and 3rd verse. Also, you will learn the chords for the 3rd chorus of the song. 

Conclusion and Backing Track: This is the last section of the guitar lesson and here, Steve is going to play the entire guitar part of the song with the backing track. 

Why Te Amo Reprise From Dum Maro Dum On Guitar?

This song uses beginner-friendly chords, which allows musicians to feel the song rather than focus on speed or complexity. The song is a bit slower and is considered to be an emotional track that teaches you timing, dynamics, and soft playing. 

FAQs-Te Amo Reprise song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What does Te Amo mean in the song? 

Ans. Te Amo translated to I Love You in Spanish, the song was sung by Pritam, Sunidhi Chauhan and Ash King. 

Q2. What is the theme of the movie Dum Maro Dum?

Ans. The movie revolves around drug trafficking, corruption which could be found in law enforcement and finally the movie was about lost innocence and redemption. 

Q3. What is the difference between the original and the reprise version of the song? 

Ans. The original song had Ash King and Sunidhi Chauhan as the lead singers, also, the song had a much better upbeat to it along with a romantic-pop feel. On the other hand, the reprise version of the song is often slower, softer and more emotional, the reprise version was used in more intimate scenes that were present in the movie.