Rhythm and Simple Version

Chundari Penne - Introduction

Chundari Penne is a beloved Malayalam song from the 2016 film Charlie. The track features Dulquer Salmaan’s warm, conversational vocals and was composed by Gopi Sundar with lyrics by Santhosh Varma. The song’s gentle melody and heartfelt words made it an instant favourite. Its mix of acoustic guitar, light percussion, and subtle strings gives it a nostalgic yet fresh feel.

The song connects deeply with the character of Charlie, a free-spirited traveller in the film. This added emotional layers to the music. The lyrics paint a picture of love and longing in simple but poetic Malayalam. Dulquer’s singing style feels personal, almost like he’s telling a story rather than performing. The track stands out in Malayalam cinema for its blend of modern and traditional sounds.

Chundari Penne Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Dugan, this lesson covers the song’s soothing guitar work. The track is in G major and uses a relaxed strumming pattern that matches its easygoing vibe. The main progression moves between G, Em, C, and D, creating a circular, flowing feel. The chords are basic but played with a light touch to keep the mood airy.

The strumming pattern follows a down-down-up-up-down-up rhythm. This gives the song its signature sway. The tempo is slow, so focus on keeping the strokes even and relaxed. The verses have a softer dynamic, while the chorus opens up slightly with fuller strums. Palm muting is used sparingly, just to add subtle texture in certain spots.

For the lead parts, the melody follows the vocal line closely. The fills between verses use simple hammer-ons and pull-offs on the higher strings. The solo section is minimal, sticking to the G major scale with a few tasteful bends. The tone should be clean and warm, with just a hint of reverb to match the original recording.

Beginners can start by mastering the chord changes at a slow pace. The song’s slow tempo makes it forgiving for practice. Intermediate players should work on matching the delicate dynamics between sections. The key is to keep the playing light and expressive, not forceful.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is used in this song?

Standard tuning (E A D G B E). No capo is needed.

Q. How do I get the right strumming feel?

Keep your wrist loose and emphasise the upstrokes slightly to create that bouncy rhythm.

Q. Is this song good for beginners?

Yes, the chords are simple, and the slow tempo makes it great for practising smooth transitions.

Q. What effects are used on the guitar?

A clean tone with light reverb and maybe a touch of chorus for depth.

Q. Can I play it fingerstyle?

Absolutely. Plucking the bass notes with your thumb and the higher strings with your fingers will create a softer sound.

Dhimu Dhimu - Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on Dhimu Dhimu, a soft romantic ballad from the 2011 Tamil film Engeyum Kadhal. Directed by Prabhu Deva, the movie stars Jayam Ravi and Hansika Motwani, and this track became one of its emotional high points. Composed by Harris Jayaraj and sung by Karthik, the song is soaked in longing and tender expression.

Interestingly, Dhimu Dhimu holds a unique spot in the film's music journey—it was the first track composed for Engeyum Kadhal, even though it was first heard by the public in its Telugu adaptation “Chilipiga” for the film Orange. Still, the Tamil version managed to claim its own space with a different emotional tone and arrangement.

Dhimu Dhimu Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, instructor J J Patishall takes you through Dhimu Dhimu in a way that’s both thoughtful and easy to follow. The song is played in standard 4/4 time at around 120 BPM, which makes it a comfortable speed for both beginner and intermediate players. The chords are rooted in C major and include C, Fmaj7, G, and even a slightly unexpected Bb chord. J J explains how these chords work together to create that dreamy atmosphere the song is known for. For example, the Fmaj7 adds a floating quality—it's basically an F major chord, but with an open E string, giving it a more emotional sound.

J J also talks about how to play the song with smooth transitions between chords. He focuses a lot on how to hold each chord shape lightly and clearly, so the ringing notes don't get muddy. The Bb chord might feel like a challenge for some, since it's usually a barre chord, but J J breaks down a simplified version so even newer players can try it without stress.

The strumming pattern is kept subtle and steady—mostly downstrokes with light upstrokes filling the gaps. It reflects the slow-burning feel of the track. J J also offers an optional picking style for those who want to add more texture to their playing. He demonstrates how to pluck the individual strings of each chord in rhythm with the melody, which matches the orchestral style of the original arrangement.

Lastly, there's a small section where the harmony shifts in a surprising way, using the Bb to break the usual major pattern. J J points this out and explains how little moments like this can really pull at your emotions, even if you’re not actively aware of it while listening. It’s this kind of insight that makes the lesson a blend of both learning and feeling the music.

FAQs

Q. Is the Bb chord necessary to play Dhimu Dhimu?

Yes, but if you're a beginner, J J shows an easier version of it that works just fine for the song’s feel.

Q. Do I need to know music theory to follow this lesson?

Not at all. J J keeps the explanation simple—he talks more about how things sound and feel than using technical language.

Fish Rock – Introduction

Fish Rock is a standout track by the Indian band Thaikkudam Bridge, known for blending intense death metal with local Kerala culture. Released in 2014 during a live session on Kappa TV’s Music Mojo, the song quickly caught fire online, gaining millions of views and establishing the band as a powerful force in the Indian indie rock scene. What makes Fish Rock so unique is its playful inspiration—a love for fish fry, a popular dish in coastal Kerala—which the band turns into an energetic metal anthem full of fast riffs and powerful vocals.

The song features lyrics in Malayalam, peppered with local slang and phrases that add authenticity and regional flavor, making it feel both raw and personal. Led by Govind Menon’s songwriting and Anish Krishnan’s fierce vocals, Fish Rock combines aggressive metal instrumentation with catchy melodies and rhythms. The track became a key highlight of Thaikkudam Bridge’s debut album Navarasam in 2015, showcasing their ability to mix heavy music with cultural storytelling, which helped redefine Indian rock in a fresh and exciting way.

Fish Rock – Guitar Lesson

Mike Walker’s lesson on Fish Rock dives into how to nail the song’s heavy, gritty sound using drop D tuning, where the lowest string is tuned down a whole step from E to D. This tuning gives the guitar a deeper, punchier tone that’s perfect for the chunky riffs and aggressive rhythm playing the song demands. Mike takes you through the main riff, focusing on the powerful use of open strings and palm muting to create that tight, percussive feel common in metal.

The soloing section in Fish Rock is built around the minor pentatonic scale, which is a go-to scale for rock and metal soloing. Mike breaks down the solo ideas simply by showing how the minor pentatonic scale works—basically a five-note scale that sounds dark and bluesy. He explains how to use bends, slides, and hammer-ons to add expression without overcomplicating the solo, making it approachable for players looking to get into metal lead playing.

Throughout the lesson, Mike emphasizes keeping the rhythm tight and clean, which is key in heavy music to avoid a muddy sound. He also talks about dynamics—how to build tension by mixing softer muted riffs with bursts of aggressive picking. For players wanting to get the full feel of Fish Rock, Mike’s guidance on using the drop D tuning effectively, combined with minor pentatonic lead ideas, helps capture the song’s raw energy while making it accessible for learners.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is used in Fish Rock?

The song uses drop D tuning, which means the low E string is tuned down one whole step to D.

Q. What scale is used for the solo in Fish Rock?

The solo is based mainly on the minor pentatonic scale, which is a simple and common scale for rock and metal solos.

Welcome to the guitar lesson on a beautiful, melancholic ballad that is Choo Lo by The Local Train, which features an iconic intro and a powerful chorus that gives goosebumps every time you listen to it. The band’s debut album, ‘Aalas ka Ped’, was received with joy and celebrated across the country. The song Choo Lo has over 80 million views on YT.

Choo Lo is a story about romantic longing. The lover exclaims that he is still standing and waiting where she had left him and that she should touch him, or else he’ll be lost. Invoking the feelings of deep melancholy and longing for a loved one, this song resonated with everyone who had ever been in love. 

Choo Lo Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, the tutor goes over all the parts of the song, starting from the basics –key and tuning of the song to the solo section, along with improvisation tips. The first few sections focus on the intro part, followed by sections on rhythm, chords, strumming, and time signatures, followed by the power chord section that covers the chorus part of the song. Finally, the tutor demonstrates a full playthrough of the song.

The interesting thing about Choo Lo guitar chords is that two of them are suspended chords –Asus2 and Bsus2. These chords do not have the major or the minor third in them, which means that the chords don’t have a concrete identity and give a feeling of incompleteness. The incompleteness relates well to the overall narrative of the song, which is about the desire to be acknowledged. 

The tempo of the song is 146 bpm in 4/4 timing, and the strumming pattern is D - - D - U D U D - D - (D is a downward strum, and U is an Upward strum). The tutor meticulously explores all the melody motifs in the song and teaches the solo note by note in the final sections of the lesson.

The lesson also offers Choo Lo lyrics and guitar tabs along with the video lesson.

The real beauty of this song is in the power chords that are played over the chorus that, when played with a band, in artist speak, sounds ‘big’. Go ahead and pick up your acoustic guitar and treat yourself to one of the sweetest intro melodies.

FAQs

Q. How can I quickly learn the Choo Lo guitar solo?

1. Break the solo into shorter sections and practice them individually until you master them, and then, once mastered, practice transitioning between the sections until the solo sounds as one.

Q. How to play suspended chords?

1. Playing suspended chords at first can be challenging, especially if you’re a beginner, but as instructed by the tutor in this lesson, you can play fewer notes of the chords to get the essential sound and eventually get to the full barre chords.

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

Sanam Teri Kasam is one of those songs that just sits with you long after it ends. From the 2016 film of the same name, the song became an instant favorite for people who love intense, emotional love stories. Composed by Himesh Reshammiya and sung by Ankit Tiwari and Palak Muchhal, the track brings out themes of longing, heartbreak, and unshaken devotion. It fits perfectly into the narrative of the film, which is a modern tragic romance. 

What really makes Sanam Teri Kasam stand out is its sincerity. There’s nothing flashy or over-produced about it, it’s just pure emotion, pouring through both the music and the lyrics. Sameer Anjaan’s writing feels personal and poetic, and the vocals carry it all with a kind of soft heartbreak. The song was released at a time when Bollywood was leaning heavily into dance beats and remixes, so a raw, classic-style ballad like this one really struck a chord with audiences. 

Sanam Teri Kasam – Guitar Lesson

Instructor Steve Luciano teaches this easy version of Sanam Teri Kasam with a focus on making it playable and soulful at the same time. You’ll need to place a capo on the 3rd fret for this lesson, which helps match the key of the original while keeping the chords nice and simple. The main chords you’ll use here are Am, C, G, E7, Em, and F. These are all standard open chords, and Steve breaks them down one at a time, pointing out smooth finger transitions and how to let the emotions of the song come through even if you’re just strumming.

The strumming pattern Steve recommends is soft and flowing, following the melody more than a strict beat. It’s the kind of pattern that lets you slow down when the lyrics are heavy and pick up just a bit when the song starts to lift. He also gives guidance on dynamics—when to let the chords ring out and when to dampen them for a more intimate feel. The trick to this song isn’t in speed or flash, but in holding back just enough to let the emotion carry the performance.

Steve also touches on how to approach the E7 and F chords, which might trip up beginners. For E7, he shows how it adds a slight emotional tension before resolving back to Am, and for F, he offers a few fingering options, barre and simplified so you can pick what works for your current level.

One of the best parts of this lesson is how Steve keeps the focus on expression. This is a great song to work on if you want to build emotional connection through your playing, without needing advanced theory.

FAQs

Q. Is this version suitable for beginners?

Yes! The chords are standard open chords, and Steve’s pacing is slow and clear enough for new players to follow along easily.

Q. Do I need to use a capo for this song?

Using a capo on the 3rd fret helps match the pitch of the original and makes the chord shapes easier.

ht fingerpicking for a softer tone.

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Luka Chuppi as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Intro, Chords, and Song Arrangement, Rhythm and Song Demo. 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 is an anthem for the spirit of youth and also for road trips. Phir Se Ud Chala is a track from the Rockstar album, composed by A. R. Rahman, voiced by Mohit Chauhan, a singer whose songs most indians have grown up listening to. The song has received over 150 million views on YouTube and has been playing in every youngster's earphones ever since.

It is a song about dreams and the freedom to take flight in pursuit of those dreams. The lyrics ‘phir se ud chala’ means, I fly again. The song follows on from the core story of the film, which is about a rebel artist hustling to make it big, while exploring themes of existentialism, love, discovery and the perils of life.

Phir Se Ud Chala Guitar Lesson

The lesson on Phir Se Ud Chala is done by one of our beloved experts, Mike Walker. The lesson is quite straightforward and a short one. It is divided into sections and contains all the information needed to play the song on an acoustic guitar. The initial sections talk about the chords and rhythm of the song, along with the strumming pattern. The latter sections talk about some of the articulate motifs in the song, along with a section on how to improvise on the track.

A special thing about this song is that it features some slash chords –chords that have a different bass note than the root note. For instance, there’s a Dsus2/G chord that is played after the 2nd verse that sounds dreamy and uplifting and fits the overall story of the song. 

The bit that makes this song easy to play is that there is a lack of frequent chord changes. The majority of the song can be played on a G major chord using a simple strumming pattern that goes like D - D U D U D - (D is a downward strum and U is an upward strum.)

The best part about the lesson is the section that talks about improvising on the track. The instructor demonstrates how to use the B major scale and the G# minor pentatonic scale for improv ideas. This improv section teaches one to unlock the fretboard horizontally.

FAQs

Q. Do I need a capo to play Phir Se Ud Chala

1. Yes, you need a capo on the 4th fret, as the song is in the key of B major, playing a G major shape will give you a B major chord.

Q. Can this song be played solo on an acoustic guitar?

1.  Absolutely! The capo makes it easier to fret the major chord shapes, and the strumming style makes it perfect for intimate solo performances.

Elay Keechan is a song composed by A.R. Rahman for the Tamil film Kadal, which was released in 2013. This particular track from the movie's album stands out as the most listened-to song because of its energetic folk-rock fusion and catchy rhythm. 

A.R. Rahman made sure to infuse folk elements with contemporary rock, making this song a truly refreshing listening experience. In this song you will witness acoustic guitar strums in addition to the bluesy bass lines and even the use of harmonica. 

Strumming Pattern 

Elay Keechan has a laid-back sound to it; it holds a nostalgic feel as well, which comes from gentle strumming or light fingerpicking. The recommended strumming pattern for this song is D – D U – U D U. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 
• “–” = Pause or hold

• When you play this song, try to use light dynamics; what this means is that you have to let the strums breathe in order to maintain the song's emotional depth. 
• Furthermore, it would be great if you could use a capo on the 1st or 2nd fret to match up with the original pitch of the song. 
• You can also use fingerpicking in the intro to add more layers of retro vibe to the song. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction of the song lesson is by Mike Walker, who is also going to be your guitar instructor for this song. Mike talks about how this song is unique with its repetitive rhythmic parts and how it has a country-like solo. In this part of the lesson, you will be learning how to tune up the guitar for this song. 

Riff: Here Mike will first play the closed version of the song, and he explains to you the chords used for it, then he moves to the open version and shares with you the chords for the same. 

Song Demo: After showing you the repetitive rhythm that you need to follow, Mike will demonstrate how to play the song on guitar with the backing track. 

Improvisation: In this section of the guitar lesson, Mike will show you how to implement improvisation techniques for this song. These techniques will make it easier for you to play the song. 

Solo: The last part of this lesson is a guitar solo, which is played at the 10th fret of your guitar. Mike has divided the solo into multiple licks and shows you how to play the entire solo, one lick after the other. 

July Matham - Introduction

July Matham is a beloved Tamil song from the 1993 film Pudhiya Mugam, composed by A.R. Rahman in his early career. The song features the legendary voices of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and Annupamaa, with lyrics by Vairamuthu. It is set in Pilu raga, which gives it a sweet yet melancholic feel. The film tells the story of an assassin who transforms into a hero, and this song plays during a key emotional moment.

The melody flows gently, with soft orchestration and expressive vocals. Rahman’s use of harmonies and subtle rhythm changes makes the song stand out. Even today, it remains a favorite among fans of 90s Tamil music because of its simple yet deep emotional appeal. The way the vocals glide through the notes makes it perfect for guitar adaptation.

July Matham Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Walker, this lesson covers the song’s structure in D minor, shifting to D major in some sections. The harmonic minor scale (D-E-F-G-A-Bb-C#) is used for the sorrowful parts, while the major scale brightens the mood. The chords follow a cycle of Dm - Bb - F - C, with occasional passing chords like Gm and A7 for tension.

The strumming pattern is relaxed, matching the 6/8 rhythm. Use downstrokes on beats 1 and 4, with light upstrokes in between. The pre-chorus has arpeggiated chords, where you pluck individual notes instead of strumming. The chorus returns to fuller strums, emphasizing the emotional highs.

For the melody, focus on the D minor pentatonic scale (D-F-G-A-C). The vocal line moves smoothly, often sliding between notes. On guitar, try bending into some notes for expression, like bending the F (1st fret, high E string) slightly upwards. The bridge shifts to D major, changing the mood completely before returning to the minor key.

Beginners should practice the chord transitions first, especially Dm to Bb. Intermediate players can work on the arpeggiated sections, ensuring each note rings clearly. Advanced players can experiment with subtle vibrato and slides to mimic the vocal phrasing.

FAQs

Q. How to play the arpeggios smoothly?

Pluck the strings one by one in order and keep your fingers close to the frets. Avoid moving your arm and try maintaining a rhythm with moving only your wrists.

Q. Why does the song switch between minor and major?

The minor scale brings sadness, while the major parts add hope, matching the song’s emotional journey.

Q. Can I use a pick for this song?

Yes, you can use a pick for the picking patterns but the songs’ authentic feel comes only when fingerpicking is involved.

Q. What effects should I use?

A little reverb and delay help recreate the original’s dreamy sound.