Introduction

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!

Pashmina – Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on one of the most delicately composed love songs in Hindi cinema — Pashmina by Amit Trivedi, from the 2016 film Fitoor. The song is a soft, poetic track that floats between romance and melancholy, wrapped in layers of orchestration and Amit Trivedi's unique singing style. The film itself was an adaptation of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, and Pashmina works as a musical expression of the complex emotions in the story.

The word Pashmina refers to an extremely fine wool from Kashmir, and in the song, it becomes a metaphor for love — soft, rich, intricate, and fragile. The lyrics, written by Swanand Kirkire, are as layered as the melody, bringing out that sense of a love that can’t be held too tightly, or it will slip away. The song has been compared by some to western tracks like California by Phantom Planet, but Pashmina stands on its own because of the way it mixes classical Indian textures with modern songwriting.

Pashmina – Guitar Lesson

This is an easy acoustic version of Pashmina, taught by Mike Walker, with the goal of helping beginner players fall in love with the guitar just as much as they love the song. The version is played with a capo on the 5th fret, which raises the pitch to match the original recording, while keeping the chord shapes extremely simple and familiar.

The chords used are Am, D, Em, F, C, and G — all open chords, which means if you know your basics, you’ll be able to play this version comfortably. Mike goes over every chord change and voicing with clear instructions, making this lesson feel very hands-on.

The progression flows in a way that lets the emotional content of the song shine through. The use of Am and Em, both minor chords, gives the song a slightly wistful tone, while G and C open up the resolution at the right moments.

The chord changes follow the original mood of the track, but are simplified to make it more accessible. Even the F chord, which can be tricky for beginners, is demonstrated with alternate fingerings and techniques so that anyone can play it with enough practice.

The strumming pattern is relaxed and meant to match the fluid movement of the melody. There’s no pressure to play it fast — in fact, slowing it down helps bring out the beauty of the song. Mike also talks about how to let your fingers move smoothly between chords and how to make the transitions sound clean without breaking the rhythm. You’ll also learn how to use dynamics — like playing softer or louder — to really bring out the emotion in different sections of the song.

FAQs

Q. Is this lesson suitable for absolute beginners?

Yes, this version is made especially for beginners. If you know your basic open chords and can change between them slowly, you’ll be able to follow along easily.

Q. What tuning is used in this version of Pashmina?

This song is played in standard tuning with a capo on the 5th fret to match the original key.

Awari is a song that explodes into an emotional whirlwind, and it’s a song that can teach you storytelling via music, whether you’re a beginner guitar player who is trying to play something powerful or just an intermediate guitar player who is just trying to explore new tones and feels than again Awari is a must-learn song for you. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction is from Mike Walker, who is going to be your guitar instructor for this song lesson. Mike shares how this song has elements of acoustic guitars and electric guitars as well. After that, he shows you how to put your acoustic guitar in standard tuning, which is required for this song. 

Song Arrangement: This song is in 6/8 time signature; for this song, you will be using barre chords Am, G, Fmaj, and F. Mike shows you two methods for playing the F chord. 

Song Demo: After showing you all the chords required for this song, how you need to play them, and the rhythm that you need to follow, Mike will provide you a complete walkthrough of this song demo with the backing track; this section will help you understand how you should be syncing your chords with the other instruments and the vocals that are part of this song. 

Overdubs: This song starts with arpeggiated tones, but they are not played on the lead guitar. As a result, we have to put them in the overdubs section. 

Electric Overdub: In addition to the acoustic overdubs, there is also an electric overdub section, which you should learn if you wish to understand the technicalities behind this song. 

Solo: Right here is the solo, which is divided into multiple licks by Mike; he will show you how to play each and every lick that forms the guitar solo of this song. After that, he combines all the licks and once again plays the entire solo. 

Improvisation: The improvisation here is done by half-sub-down tuning in E minor scale; Mike plays some parts of the song in E minor scale and then talks about how it sounds different than the original version, which was shown above. 

Why Learn Awari Song On Guitar?

The reason why Awari has to be in your repertoire is due to its haunting progression, which allows guitar players to capture heartbreak and longing. In this song lesson, you will be learning dynamics and strumming variations, which have the potential to bring out your audience’s emotional side in the open. 

It’s a perfect song to strum on both acoustic and electric guitar; make sure you add a bit of a delay when playing this hit number on electric. Learning how to play it on guitar teaches you how to play with intention, emotion, and soul, all while slowly sharpening your guitar-playing techniques. 

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. 

Welcome to the guitar lesson on a song that has stood the test of time and continues to echo through generations, Chhookar Mere Mann Ko from the 1981 film Yaarana. Sung by the legendary Kishore Kumar, this track is a gentle, heartfelt expression of love and emotional intimacy. Composed by Rajesh Roshan with lyrics by Anjaan, the song was brought to life on screen by Amitabh Bachchan and Neetu Singh.

At the heart of this song is a deep sense of devotion. Lines like "Tu hi mera jeevan, tu hi jeene ka sahara" (You are my life, you are the support of my living) hold an emotional honesty that connects with listeners even today. The melody is soft, yet powerful in its sincerity. The reason it has lasted for so long is simple: it makes people feel seen and understood.

Chhookar Mere Mann Ko – Guitar Lesson

This lesson, taught by Steve Luciano, breaks down the capo version of Chhookar Mere Mann Ko into an easy-to-follow acoustic arrangement. In this version, the capo is placed on the 7th fret. This does two things: first, it matches the original key of the song to Kishore Kumar’s vocal range, and second, it makes it possible to play the song using simple open chord shapes. This is a big help if you're still getting used to barre chords or complex voicings.

The chords used in this version are A major, E major, D major, and C# minor all of which are very beginner-friendly. C# minor is the only barre chord, but with practice, it becomes easier to handle, especially since the other chords allow your fingers to rest. Steve walks you through each chord and explains where your fingers need to go in a relaxed, clear way. Even if you’ve never used a capo before, this lesson is a great place to start.

The rhythm of the song is very steady and flowing ideal for slow strumming. The strumming pattern in this version is kept simple to let the chords and the melody breathe. It’s the kind of song that relies on feel rather than speed. Steve emphasises dynamics and the importance of playing gently to match the emotion of the track. He also walks through the full song section by section, intro, verse, and chorus, and offers a demonstration at the end so you can play along with confidence.

FAQs

Q. What level of guitar playing is this lesson suitable for?

This version is perfect for beginners to early intermediate players. Most of the chords are open shapes and easy to play, especially with the capo.

Q. Do I need to use a capo to play this version?

Yes, for this particular lesson, a capo on the 7th fret is essential to stay in key and use open chord shapes. Without the capo, you’d need to play more complex barre chords.