Chords, Rhythm, and Fingerpicking

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Jai Ho (Slumdog Millionaire) as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Intro Lead, Chords, Rhythm, and Backing Track and Capo Version. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

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. 

In this video lesson J.J. Pattishall teaches how to play the song Piya Aaye Na as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Rhythm, Song Arrangement, Song Demo and 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 Neele Neele Ambar Par as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Chords, Intro Licks and Overdub Parts, Chorus - Chords and Rhythm, Verse - Chords and Rhythm, Guitar Solo, Synth Solo, and Outro - Chords and Rhythm, Backing Track, Solo 1, Solo 2 and Improvisation. 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 Bhaag DK Bose 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, Overdub Electric Guitar, Acoustic Solo and Electric Solo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Auliya – Introduction

Auliya is a deeply emotional song from the 2019 Bollywood film Hum Chaar, sung by Atif Aslam. The song blends traditional and modern musical styles, creating a calm and reflective mood that touches on themes of devotion and longing. The lyrics, written by Shabbir Ahmed, speak to a heartfelt yearning and spiritual connection, which Atif Aslam delivers with sincere emotion. This combination makes Auliya stand out as a beautiful ballad that resonates with many listeners.

The film Hum Chaar tells the story of four friends navigating their relationships and personal growth, and Auliya fits perfectly into this narrative as a soulful reflection of their emotional struggles. Composed by Vipin Patwa, the song’s melody and arrangement carry a softness that matches the film’s thoughtful tone. The song’s lyrical video, with its simple yet expressive visuals, has also helped it gain popularity, making it a memorable and meaningful part of the movie’s soundtrack.

Auliya – Guitar Lesson

Steve Luciano’s lesson on Auliya breaks down the guitar work in a way that’s approachable and easy to follow. The song features a variety of chords that create a rich and layered sound, starting with some basic shapes like Bm7, D, and E, then moving to more colorful ones like Bbmaj7 and Gb/Bb. These chords give the song a blend of warmth and depth, making it interesting to play and listen to.

The arrangement uses some chord variations that might sound complex at first, but Steve simplifies them by explaining how each chord relates to the song’s key and mood. For example, the Asus2 chord adds a gentle, open sound, while Bm/A and A/C# are examples of chords with bass notes that add smooth transitions and melodic movement in the progression. Steve highlights these to help players understand how small changes in chord shapes can make a big emotional impact.

Steve also focuses on rhythm and dynamics, showing how playing softly and with feeling can bring out the song’s introspective quality. The strumming pattern isn’t rushed; it lets the chords breathe, matching the slow, meditative pace of the song. For those interested in fingerpicking, Steve demonstrates how picking certain notes within the chords can add texture and emphasize the melody, giving beginners a chance to develop control and expression in their playing.

Overall, the lesson is designed to make the song accessible while still preserving its emotional depth. Whether you’re new to guitar or more experienced, Steve’s clear guidance helps you capture the spirit of Auliya, making it a rewarding song to learn and perform.

FAQs

Q. What key is Auliya played in?

The song uses chords mostly around B minor and D major, giving it a warm and reflective feel.

Q. Are there difficult chords in Auliya?

There are some chord shapes with added bass notes like Bm/A and A/C#, but Steve breaks them down simply for easier learning.

Aashiyan means home, and this is one of the few songs from modern-day Bollywood that actually conveys the meaning of comfort, joy, and belonging. When you play this song on guitar, it makes it possible for you to express emotions with the help of music. 

Fun Fact: The song was inspired by French Cafe music with the special use of Accordion, which plays a swing-style rhythm. Composer Pritam really wanted the song to feel like it is coming straight from a European street performance, which matches up with the silent-film feel of Barfi’s storytelling. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: Here is the suggested arpeggio-picking pattern that you can learn if you want to use the fingerpicking technique: 

For chords with the root on the 5th string (like C, Am, F):

5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4

(T – 1 – 2 – 3 – 2 – 1)

For chords with the root on the 6th string (like G):

6 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4

(T – 1 – 2 – 3 – 2 – 1)

• T = Thumb, 
• 1 = Index, 
• 2 = Middle, 
• 3 = Ring.

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. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction is by Mike Walker who is going to be your guitar instructor for this lesson. Here, he talks about the complexity of the song, how it has a jazz tone to it, and how he’s going to show a copy version of the song, which is a lot easier to play and beginner-friendly at the same time. 

Chords, Rhythm, and Song Arrangement: The song is present in the key of B, and the intro section can be played freely, but even for that, you need to learn the chords and rhythms that are present here for you to learn. 

Song Demo: In this part of the guitar lesson you will get to know how to play the guitar parts of the song with the backing track. 

Easy Version: Right here, Mike shows you how you can place a capo on the 4th fret to play the easier guitar version of the song. 

Why Learn Aashiyan Song?

The melody of the song is quite catchy, making it ideal for singing and playing the song on guitar at the same time. It also helps in improving your strumming control, timing, and sensitivity to the music, which allows you to easily shift between verses and chorus. 

FAQs – Aashiyan From The Movie Barfi Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is Aashiyan's song beginner-friendly on guitar?

Ans. The chords used in the song are pretty simple, and the strumming pattern, too, is beginner-friendly. 

Q2. What is the original key of the song?

Ans. The song is present in the key of B, making it suitable for guitarists who are just starting their musical journey. 

Q3. Are there arpeggios used in the song Aashiyan? 

Ans. The original recording of the song uses full instrumentation, but if you want, you can add a little arpeggio pattern during the verse section of the song. 

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 on Soch Na Sake, a deeply emotional romantic ballad from the 2016 Bollywood film Airlift. The movie stars Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur, and the song beautifully captures the pain and hope in their characters’ story during the Gulf War crisis of 1990. This song is actually a Hindi adaptation of the popular 2013 Punjabi hit Soch by Harrdy Sandhu, but it was reworked for the film by composer Amaal Mallik with new lyrics by Kumaar. Featuring vocals by Arijit Singh, Tulsi Kumar, and Amaal Mallik, it became an instant favorite for its melody and words.

The music video shows the deep love and separation between the lead characters Ranjit and Amrita, which connects with many listeners. The song received huge praise and won several awards, like the 2017 Mirchi Music Award for Listeners’ Choice Song of the Year. Despite some controversy around the adaptation, with the original artist Harrdy Sandhu expressing disappointment at not being involved, Soch Na Sake remains widely loved for its soulful feel and emotional power.

Soch Na Sake – Guitar Lesson

This lesson is taught by our skilled instructor, Mike Walker, who takes you through the song step by step with clear explanations. The song is played with a capo on the 2nd fret, which means that even though the original key is A major, you’re actually playing chords relative to the capo in G major. This makes the chords easier to handle and perfect for acoustic guitar players at an intermediate level. The main chords you’ll use are G, Em, C, B7, and D, all common chords that sound smooth together and carry the romantic vibe of the song.

Mike shows you how to play these chords in a simple progression that fits the flow of the melody. The strumming pattern is gentle and steady, supporting the emotional tone without overpowering the vocals. One interesting chord here is B7, which adds a little extra colour and tension before resolving back to the main chords. Mike makes sure to explain how to shift between these chords without losing the rhythm.

Another important part of the lesson is the rhythm and timing. Mike breaks down the strumming pattern into easy sections so that even if you’re new to playing with a capo, you’ll feel confident. He also plays through the entire song at a comfortable speed, so you can follow along and practice each part until it feels natural.

FAQs

Q. Is Soch Na Sake suitable for beginners?

Yes, the song is great for beginner to intermediate players because it uses common chords and a simple strumming pattern, especially with the capo on the 2nd fret.

Q. Why is a capo used in this song?

The capo allows you to play easier chord shapes in G major while sounding in the key of A major, making the song more accessible on the guitar.

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Tu Hi Mera as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords, Intro Piece, Groove Section, Song Demo, Discussion on Rhythm and Conclusion, Solo 1 Lesson and Solo 2 Lesson. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Kabira is the song that has a special place in our hearts. It is a perfect blend of folk and contemporary sounds that resonate deeply with listeners. It’s a song that has stayed with me long after it was initially released back in 2013. 

Fun Fact: The song Kabira has an undertone meaning. Kabira refers to Sant Kabir, who was a mystic poet. With this song, composer Pritam tried to reflect the spiritual meaning of love, departure and inner calling. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: Both the intro version and the verse section of the Kabira song can be beautifully driven via fingerpicking arpeggios, which helps in giving the song its emotional depth and soft texture. 

For chords G – C – Em – D, you can use the following fingerpicking pattern: 

P I M A  

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓  

6 4 3 2

• P (Thumb) plays the bass string (6th for G, 5th for C, etc.)
• I (Index) play the 4th string.
• M (Middle) plays the 3rd string.
• A (Ring) plays the 2nd string.

Example for G Chord: 

E|-------0---------

B|-----0---0-------

G|---0-------0-----

D|-----------------

A|-----------------

E|-3---------------

Strumming Pattern

The basic strumming pattern that you need to follow is: D – D U – U D U. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction is by Mike Walker, who is going to be your guitar instructor for this lesson. In this intro, he is going to show you how to tune up your guitar for this song. 

Song Arrangement: Mike has divided the song into several sections, and in this part, he will show you how to play chords for each section separately. 

Song Demo: Right here, you will learn how to sync up the guitar chords with the vocals of the song. 

Overdub Section: Finally, in the overdub section, you are going to play the chords of the second guitar, which is used in the song. 

Why Learn Kabira Song?

For people who are aspiring to become guitarists, this is the song that has the perfect melody for practising expressive guitar playing. With this song, you will be able to convey deep emotions using simple open chords that are ideal for both beginners and intermediate guitar players. 

FAQS – Kabira Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who composed the song Kabira for the film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani? 

Ans. Kabira was composed by Pritam, and the vocals were given by Tochi Raina and Rekha Bharadwaj in 2013.  

Q2. What style or genre is the song Kabira in?  

Ans. The song blends Indian folk with soft rock in addition to the acoustic pop, making it an ideal song for practising fingerstyle technique and mellow strumming. 

Q3. What techniques will I be learning as I play the song Kabira on guitar? 

Ans. Kabira's guitar helps you learn the following guitar techniques: 

• Chord switching
• Dynamic strumming
• Expressive fingerpicking
• Timing and rhythm control

Introduction:

I Love You is a romantic ballad from the Bollywood flick Bodyguard starring one of the biggest names of Bollywood Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor in leading roles. The song captures the tender, unspoken emotions between the lead characters as their bond deepens over time.  

Fun Fact: I Love You was sung by Ash King, he was relatively new to Bollywood, and this particular song was able to make him launch his career in mainstream Hindi music. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: 

For each chord, try this picking pattern: this particular arpeggio picking pattern follows the fingerstyle method of guitar playing. 

Bass – D – G – B

(Thumb – Index – Middle – Ring)

Chord-by-chord strings:

• C: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2
• G: 6 – 4 – 3 – 2
• Am: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2
• F: 6 – 4 – 3 – 2

Repeat slowly and evenly for that soft, emotional vibe.

Strumming Pattern 

The strumming pattern for this song is as follows: D – D U – U D U.

D = Down Strum 

U = Up Strum

This particular strum is a classic and mellow pattern that matches up with the song’s emotional flow, making it more impactful and romantic for the audience who’s listening to it. 

Song Structure:

Intro, Chords, and Rhythm: This guitar lesson has just one section where you will learn the intro tune, chords, and even the rhythm, which you need to practice for this song. If you know the basic guitar strings and E chord in particular then you will be able to master this easy version in no time. 

Why Learn this song?

Learning I Love You from Bodyguard is a great choice if you are someone who loves to play emotional, romantic ballads. It is a pretty soul touching song that can be played using basic guitar chords along with a gentle tempo. Thus, it’s an ideal song for beginners. 

FAQs – I Love You Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who is the lead singer of the song I Love You from the movie Bodyguard? 

Ans. The song was sung by Ash King, and the music composition was from Pritam; the lyrics of the song were penned down by Irshad Kamil. 

Q2. What genre does “I Love You” fall in? 

Ans. This particular hit number from Bodyguard is a combination of soft rock and acoustic pop. 

Q3. Can I play “I Love You” from the film Bodyguard on Guitar? 

Ans. Yes, it is pretty easy to play this song on guitar; we at Torrens have provided a complete walkthrough of how to play this song. In addition to this, this is an easier version of the song, which even a beginner can learn in no time. 

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Raabta as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Raabta (Introduction), Raabta (Song Lesson with Distortion), Raabta (Song Demo with Distortion), Raabta (Song Lesson with Clean Tone), Raabta (Song Demo with Clean Tone), Raabta (Overdub Licks), Raabta (Intro Piano Piece with Tapping) and Raabta (Improvisation). Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

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

This particular song, Main Kya Karoon, comes in the movie when the character of Ranbir Kapoor first got to understand the feeling of falling in love with someone. This is the song that helped the director capture the light-hearted, dreamy, and whimsical tone of young love. 

Fun Fact: For the song Pritam, the composer went to Nikhil Paul George, who wasn’t a mainstream singer of Bollywood. He did this because he wanted someone with an unpolished, pure, and boyish voice. This will help the singer to match up with the character of Ranbir Kapoor in the movie. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: If you want to use the fingerpicking pattern or arpeggios instead of simple strumming, you can follow these techniques for each chord: 

For chords with root on the 5th string (like C, Am, F):

5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4 (Repeat)

For chords with root on the 6th string (like G):

6 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4 (Repeat)

Strumming Pattern 

The basic strumming pattern which you need to follow is: D D U U D U. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

Song Structure 

Chords, Rhythm, and Arrangement: The guitar instructor for this song lesson is Bobby Koelble; he shares with you the chords, rhythm, and arrangement that you have matched for the easier version. In addition to this, he also talks about the major difference between the original version of the song and this stripped-out version, which is much easier to play.

Why Learn Main Kya Karoon (Easy Version) Song?

Main Kya Karoon is a simple song with easy-to-play open chords which is perfect for beginners to practice chord switching without frustration. It’s a light, romantic, and uplifting tune that is super enjoyable to play and sing along with. 

FAQs – Main Kya Karoon (Easy Version) Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What key is the song Main Kya Karoon From Barfi in?

Ans. The song is present in the D major, but for this particular version, we have transposed it to C major, which allows you to use a simpler set of chords. 

Q2. Is the song Main Kya Karoon suitable for beginners to learn on guitar? 

Ans. Yes, using the basic chords and light rhythm, any beginner can learn how to play this song on guitar. 

Q3. Is there a need to use Capo for the song Main Kya Karoon? 

Ans. You can put a capo on the 2nd fret; it will help you play easier chords while still matching the original pitch of the song. 

Ala Barfi is a song that depicts the sweet and childlike nature of the film’s protagonist, who is both deaf and mute, but at the same time, he is incredibly expressive. This particular song has become the theme for the entire movie as it resonates with the behavior and personality of the main character. 

Fun Fact: The song was composed in such a way that it felt like the music was telling a story without even requiring words, which is a perfect fit for a character who can’t speak. 

Strumming Pattern 

The basic strumming pattern that you should be following for this song is D D U U D U. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction of this guitar lesson is by Mike Walker, who is going to show you how to tune up a guitar for the song. 

Chords, Rhythm, and Song Arrangement: In this part, you will learn all the open chords and rhythms that you need to practice in order to play this song, starting with the intro chorus of the song. 

Song Demo: Mike will be playing the guitar parts of the song with the backing track to show you how to sync up the chords with the vocals. 

Solo Lesson: Here, you will get to know how to play the guitar solo, which is present in the song. 

Overdubs: This part shows you how to practice overdubs; Mike has divided the overdubs section into multiple licks for the viewer’s ease.  

Why Learn Ala Barfi Song?

Ala Barfi is a song that has a bouncy, whimsical feel to it, making it fun to play; it's a song that is perfect for turning your sad day into a happy one; using this song, you could learn how to be expressive with a guitar. 

FAQs – Ala Barfi Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. In which key is the song Ala Barfi present? 

Ans. Ala Barfi is present in the key of G. 

Q2. Is the song Ala Barfi a beginner-friendly song? 

Ans. Yes, the chord progression of the song is quite simple and the tempo is moderate as well. 

Q3. For the song, do I require you to learn arpeggios or fingerpicking techniques? 

Ans. Well, you don’t need to learn those because, in the original recording of the song, they are not present. You can add in light arpeggios if you wish to, but it is not mandatory. 

Q4. Can I easily play and sing the song Ala Barfi? 

Ans. Yes, the melody of the song is quite repetitive, thus making it easy to follow as you sing the lyrics.