Introduction

Sun Le Re is a soulful track from the 2013 political thriller Madras Cafe. The composition was done by Shantanu Moitra, and Papon beautifully sang it. It’s a song that perfectly blends Indian classical elements with modern instrumentation to provide listeners with an introspective tone. 

You might not know this, but Sun Le Re was initially cut from the final editing of the film because it did not match the overall theme of the movie, which was pretty intense and fast-paced. But the director wanted it to be in the film because it would give emotional gravity to the film’s characters. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction is by Mike Walker, who shows you how to tune up a guitar to play this song. In addition to this, he also shares that the song is present in the key of D major. 

Song Arrangement - Part 1: This is the first part of the song arrangement, which has a more piano tune to it, but Mike here shows you how to play the same tune on guitar. 

Song Arrangement - Part 2: In here, you will learn the underlying rhythm that is present beneath the solo, which is part of the song. 

Song Demo: In this section, you will see how Mike plays the guitar chords with the backing track. He also shared some tips on how to play the song on acoustic guitar. 

Solo Lesson: The solo in this song is present in the key of D major and has a B minor scale to it. Mike has divided the solo into different licks in order to make it easier for you to understand how to play it. 

Overdubs: This section talks about the overlaying guitar chords that secondary guitarists play to add more depth to the song. 

Simple Version: Here is a simplified version of the above song lesson, this is for acoustic players, and here Mike plays the song with the backing track while explaining to you where you should be making changes in order to simplify the guitar playing. 

FAQs – Sun Le Re Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is the song Sun Le Re beginner beginner-friendly? 

Ans. Well, in truth, it is a difficult song, but with this guitar lesson, you can also find an easier version of it, which uses basic chords such as Am, G, F, C, and Em. The beginner version is good for people who are comfortable with chord transitions. 

Q2. What are some of the main playing styles in this song? 

Ans. The verse section of the song works best if you use a fingerpicking technique or light arpeggios. On the other hand, for a chorus, gentle strumming is best for providing dynamic variation. 

Q3. What is the time signature of the song Sun Le Re? 

Ans. The time signature is 4/4 with a slow tempo, which usually helps in precise and emotive playing. 

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Rafta Rafta 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 Demo, Conclusion (Chords and Rhythm Section), Easy Version, Overdub Section 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 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!

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Maeri as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Intro Piece, Chords, and Rhythm and Solo Lesson. 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.

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!

Welcome to the guitar lesson on Samjhawan, a heartfelt romantic ballad from the 2014 Bollywood film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. The film stars Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt, and this song quickly became one of its most memorable tracks. Samjhawan is actually a reimagined version of Main Tenu Samjhawan Ki, a soulful Punjabi song originally composed by Jawad Ahmad and sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in 2010. The Bollywood version was recreated by Sharib–Toshi, with lyrics by Ahmad Anees and Kumaar, and sung by two of India’s finest voices, Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal. Their emotional delivery gives the song a deep sense of longing and love that really connects with listeners.

This song’s popularity is reflected in the awards it won, including the GiMA Award for Best Duet in 2015. There was also a more stripped-down unplugged version sung by Alia Bhatt herself, which offered a softer, more intimate take. The song talks about understanding and comforting a loved one, with lyrics that express vulnerability and devotion. Its gentle melody and heartfelt words have helped Samjhawan become a beloved classic in modern Indian music.

Samjhawan Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, instructor J J Patishall guides you through the chords and rhythm of Samjhawan in a way that’s easy to follow, even if you’re not a seasoned player. The song is played mostly using open chords like Asus2, Dsus2, F#m, Bm, and E, which gives it that smooth and mellow sound. These suspended chords, especially the Asus2 and Dsus2, add a gentle tension that feels emotional but not complicated. J J explains how to finger these chords carefully to keep the song’s soft vibe intact.

One of the key points J J focuses on is how to move between these chords smoothly. He breaks down the transitions slowly so you don’t get stuck on tricky shapes like F#m, which can feel tough at first because it’s usually a barre chord. But with his tips, you’ll find a comfortable way to play it without straining your hand. The lesson includes how to hold Asus2 and Dsus2 so that the ringing open strings create a warm, full sound that fills the space nicely.

The strumming pattern is simple yet expressive, with a mix of down and up strokes that flow naturally with the song’s rhythm. J J also shows a subtle picking pattern for those who want to bring out the melody within the chords more clearly. This fingerpicking option works well if you want to capture the intimate feeling of the unplugged version. Throughout the lesson, J J highlights how small changes in timing and emphasis can really shape the mood, helping you play Samjhawan with the same tenderness that makes the original so special.

FAQs

Q. Is Samjhawan suitable for beginner guitar players?

Yes, especially since many chords are open or suspended chords. J J breaks down the harder chords to make them accessible.

Q. Can I play the unplugged version on guitar?

Absolutely. The unplugged version is simpler and focuses more on fingerpicking, which J J covers in the lesson.

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.

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.

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.

Bolna is a beautiful romantic song from the 2016 Bollywood movie Kapoor & Sons, known for its soft melody and emotional depth. Sung by Arijit Singh and Asees Kaur, the track quickly became a favorite for its heartfelt lyrics and the way it captures the delicate feelings of love and longing. The song’s title, which means "Speak, my beloved," hints at the gentle plea for connection and openness between two people, which fits perfectly with the film’s story about complicated relationships and emotional honesty.

What makes Bolna special is how it combines traditional Indian music elements with modern sounds, giving it a timeless vibe that appeals to listeners across generations. The music arrangement uses simple yet rich chords and soft instrumentation that support the vocals without overpowering them. The song’s popularity was boosted not only by its emotional impact but also by its music video featuring the film’s stars, adding a visual layer to the story of love and vulnerability that the lyrics express.

Bolna – Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, Steve Luciano takes you through the gentle guitar parts that shape Bolna’s soothing atmosphere. The song is played in the key of F major, which is bright and warm, setting the perfect mood for a romantic ballad. It starts with a delicate arpeggio pattern on the F major and G major chords, where the notes of each chord are played one by one rather than strummed all at once. This picking style gives the song its soft, flowing feel right from the beginning.

The chord progression is straightforward but rich, moving through chords like F, Bb, Dm7, Am7, and Gm7. These chords include some minor sevenths and major sevenths, which add a smooth, jazzy flavor to the harmony without making it complicated. Steve breaks down how to play each chord cleanly and how to move between them smoothly, which is key to keeping the song’s gentle and emotional tone intact.

Steve also explains some subtle techniques like fingerpicking and how to emphasize certain notes in the arpeggio to bring out the melody within the chords. This approach helps players understand how to make a simple chord progression sound expressive and full of feeling. By following Steve’s step-by-step guide, guitarists can learn to capture the song’s soft dynamics and emotional nuances, making Bolna a great practice piece for anyone looking to improve fingerstyle playing and chord transitions.

FAQs

Q. What key is Bolna played in?

Bolna is in the key of F major, which gives the song its warm, romantic feel.

Q. What guitar technique is used in the intro of Bolna?

The intro uses arpeggios, where the notes of the chords are picked one at a time, creating a flowing melody.