Chords and Rhythm

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. 

Aasai Oru Pulveli was a standout song from the movie Attakathi, a Tamil film that was released back in 2012. Santhosh Narayanan did the composition of the song; with this track, Santhosh tried to capture the essence of innocence, which is present in youthful love. 

As the movie was released, this song became a cult favorite among modern Tamil music fans. The title of the song translates to My Desire Is Like A Blade Of Grass, which is there to depict the fragility of falling in love with someone for the very first time. 

Furthermore, this song marked a turning point in the life of composer Santhosh Narayanan, he used analog recording techniques in order to recreate nostalgic and retro vibes of the 80s. He even chose vintage synth sounds and layered vocals to give this song its dreamy texture, which makes it stand out in the sea of digital-heavy soundtracks. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction for this guitar lesson starts with J.J. Pattishall played the key chords for the song. In addition to this, J.J. will be your guitar instructor as well, so before proceeding any further, he will tell you how to tune up the guitar for this song. You will be playing the guitar parts as close to the original tune which was part of the recording. 

Song Arrangement - Part 1 (Intro Piece): J.J. talks about how the tuning changes up the tonality of the strings and gives you a sound that you can experiment with according to your requirements. Also, you have to use a capo on the 2nd fret for this song, 

Song Arrangement - Part 2: This part of the song lesson shows you how to play the chords for the extended chorus part of the song. 

Rhythm: Here, you will learn about the rhythm that you need to follow in this song; your guitar instructor divides the rhythm section into two parts: the first one is the chorus rhythm, and the second is the verse rhythm. 

Song Demo: This is the final part, where J.J. shows you how to play the guitar parts of the song with the backing track. 

Why Learn Aasai Oru Pulveli Song From Attakathi?

It is a beautifully composed song that is a blend of modern melodies and does hold a nostalgic retro feel to it as well. The song features simple and flowing chord changes that are pretty easy to grasp, making them great for practice. It helps in improving your timing, transitions and rhythm. 

Furthermore, you can experiment with gentle fingerpicking or mellow strumming, as the song lets you do both things, giving you space to showcase your versatility. It has a laid-back tempo, and the melody urges you to sing along, thus making it a fun song to perform solo with vocals and guitar in a live performance setup.  

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.

Yedhi Yedhi is a romantic track from a Telugu film, Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu; with this song, both the director and the composer tried to convey the emotional depth and nostalgic tone of the story. Yedhi Yedhi blends Indian classical influences with the presence of modern orchestration, which creates a pretty massive soundscape. 

The melody is simple and yet hauntingly beautiful; as you learn to play it on your guitar, you will develop sensitivity in your fingerpicking and strumming, thus enhancing your expressive playing skills. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction is given by J.J. Pattishall, and he will be your guitar instructor for this lesson. J.J. will show you how to tune up your guitar in order to play this song. 

Chorus(Song Arrangement): In this part of the song lesson, you will learn all the chords and rhythms that are necessary to play this song. Here, J.J. has divided the song arrangement into sub-parts so that you will be able to understand which chord belongs where and which rhythm you need to use for that particular section. 

Interlude: This interlude comes right after the first chorus. The interlude has a string section, but here, J.J. has converted it for guitar. As a result, he will first show you how it sounds and then show you how to play it yourself. 

Pre-Verse and Verse: There is a quick guitar break right before the first section, so that particular guitar break is taught in pre-verse; after that, you will get to know about the song arrangement for the verse. 

Orchestral Bridge: This is an orchestral bridge that, if you want, you can skip, and by doing that, you will come straight to the verse once again. On the other hand, if you want to learn the technical aspects of this song, then you should definitely go for it. 

Bridge, Cello Section, and Ending: This is the last bridge section that you will have to learn for this song; it also includes some parts of cello, and then comes the ending. 

Song Demo: Here, you will get to see J.J. play the guitar parts of the song with the backing track. 

Intro Solo: Finally, here is the solo, which you hear as the song begins. 

Why Learn Yedhi Yedhi Song On Guitar?

The slow tempo of the song gives the song an introspective mood, which allows you to focus on dynamic control, tone, and timing; all of these things are essential for emotive performance. It’s a great song to play in intimate gigs, open mics, or simply in your practice sessions. 

Haye Mera Dil is a song that captures the true essence of heartbreak; the song uses soft and melodic progression, and as you learn to play it on the guitar, you will get to know how to create expressive playing with your guitar. 

On the other hand, it’s a crowd-pleaser song; this one song will unite everyone in the room to sing their hearts out. In addition to this, you can easily transform the song into a fingerstyle version, making it an ideal song to explore softer and more intimate guitar techniques. 

Song Structure 

Intro, Chords, and Rhythm: In this section of the song lesson, you will first get an intro from your guitar instructor, Will MacMorran. Here, you will learn where to put the capo on your guitar in addition to the tuning you require to play this song. After that comes lessons on chords and rhythms. 

Introduction Arpeggio Pattern: There’s an arpeggio section at the beginning of the song; you can either play it with a pick or you can actually use your fingers to play. The instructor prefers to pick in order to get a smooth tone out of it. The chords present in this section are pretty similar to what you have learned in the verse part of the song. 

Lead Overdubs: Now that you have learned the main guitar chords of this song, it is time for you to find out how to play the lead overdubs, which give the song extra layers of music. 

Song with Backing: Finally, here you will see how to play the entire guitar parts of the song with the backing track to find out how you should be syncing up your guitar play with that of other instruments and vocals. 

FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. As a beginner, can I play this song all by myself on guitar? 

Ans. Yes, with a little bit of practice, you too can play this song on guitar; it uses simple chord progression along with a steady rhythm. In addition to this, it’s a great song for practising open chords and strumming patterns. 

Q2. Does this song have a fingerstyle version? 

Ans. No, it does not require a special fingerstyle version, but if you want, you can create one on your own by picking up individual notes from the chords. It will allow you to emphasize on melody, and you will be adding an emotional layer to the song. 

Q3. Can I perform this song live?

Ans Yes, it’s a crowd favourite song, so if you want to, you can play it in open mics, romantic sets, or even to create a buzz on your social media accounts. Just make sure you keep the overall guitar play raw and heartfelt. 

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Nakkaddwaley Disco Udhaarwaley Khisko as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Intro, Chord, and Rhythm. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Darkhaast is a romantic ballad from the 2016 Bollywood film Shivaay, starring Ajay Devgn. The song features the voices of Arijit Singh and Sunidhi Chauhan, with music composed by Mithoon. The lyrics, written by Sayeed Quadri, express deep longing and emotional pain. The track became popular for its soulful melody and heartfelt vocals, resonating with listeners who appreciate slow, emotional songs.

The music video shows Ajay Devgn and Erika Kaar in beautiful locations, adding to the song’s romantic feel. The composition includes soft guitar strums with orchestral elements, creating a melancholic atmosphere. The song’s slow tempo and expressive singing make it a favourite for those who enjoy emotional Bollywood tracks.

Darkhaast Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Walker, this lesson covers how to play Darkhaast on guitar. The song is in the key of G major, which gives it a warm and open sound. The chords follow a simple but emotional progression: G - Em - C - D. These chords repeat throughout the song, creating a gentle flow that matches the vocals. The strumming pattern is slow and relaxed, using downstrokes with occasional upstrokes to keep the rhythm natural.

The intro and verses use arpeggios, where you pluck the strings one by one instead of strumming. This technique makes the guitar sound soft and delicate, perfect for the song’s mood. The chorus switches to fuller strums, adding energy while keeping the emotional tone. The key is to play smoothly, letting each note ring clearly without rushing.

For the improvisation section, the song uses the G major scale (G-A-B-C-D-E-F#) in open position. This means you can play the scale without moving too far up the fretboard. The pedal technique is used here, which means you keep one note ringing (usually the open G string) while playing other notes over it. This creates a droning effect that adds depth to the melody.

Beginners should start by learning the basic chords and strumming slowly. The chord changes are not difficult, but playing them smoothly takes practice. Intermediate players can work on the arpeggiated sections, making sure each note is clean and even. Advanced players can focus on improvisation, experimenting with the G major scale and adding subtle bends or slides for expression.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is used for this song?

Standard tuning (EADGBE). No alternate tuning or capo is needed.

Q. How do I play the arpeggios smoothly?

Pluck each string gently in order and let the notes ring together.

Q. What is the pedal technique?

It means keeping one note (like the open G string) constantly ringing while playing other notes over it.

Adiyae Kolluthey – Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on Adiyae Kolluthey, a vibrant romantic track from the 2008 Tamil film Vaaranam Aayiram, directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. This song stands out with its fresh and youthful vibe, beautifully capturing the excitement and innocence of young love. Composed by Harris Jayaraj, Adiyae Kolluthey features the voices of Krish, Benny Dayal, and Shruti Haasan, with lyrics by Thamarai that add a poetic touch to the melody. The song’s lively energy and emotional depth quickly made it one of the most beloved tracks of the film’s soundtrack.

Visually, the song is equally memorable, shot in stunning locations like the University of California, Berkeley, and the scenic San Francisco Bay area. The beautiful backdrops perfectly complement the playful chemistry between the lead actors, Suriya and Sameera Reddy. This combination of heartfelt music and captivating visuals made Adiyae Kolluthey a favorite among fans and helped cement Harris Jayaraj’s place as one of Tamil cinema’s top composers. The song also marked an important moment for Shruti Haasan, establishing her as a strong playback singer in the industry.

Adiyae Kolluthey – Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, Mike Walker takes you through the essentials of playing Adiyae Kolluthey on guitar, using Eb tuning which lowers the pitch a half step from standard tuning. This tuning helps capture the song’s smooth and mellow feel while making some of the chords easier to finger. The main chords you’ll use include power chords like B5, A5, D5, and E5, along with some major chords like C# and F#. Mike breaks down each chord shape slowly so you can get comfortable with the finger placement and maintain the song’s clean tone.

Mike explains that the song’s arrangement relies a lot on these power chords, which give the track a gentle rock edge without overpowering the vocals. The use of power chords instead of full major or minor chords creates a light but driving sound that fits perfectly with the song’s youthful energy. He also points out the smooth transitions between chords like B5 to A5, which require a relaxed hand and practice to sound fluid.

The rhythm of Adiyae Kolluthey is steady and laid-back, sitting comfortably in a 4/4 time signature at a moderate tempo. Mike guides you through the strumming pattern, which combines downstrokes and light upstrokes to keep the momentum moving without becoming too busy. He also offers tips on muting and palm damping to control the tone, which is important to replicate the song’s clean guitar sound. For those looking to add some flair, Mike suggests subtle embellishments using slides and hammer-ons within the chord shapes, making your playing feel more expressive without overcomplicating things.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is Adiyae Kolluthey played in?

The song is played in Eb tuning, which is standard tuning lowered by a half step on every string.

Q. Are power chords difficult to play for beginners?

Not really. Power chords are simpler shapes that focus on the root and fifth notes. With some practice, even beginners can play them smoothly.

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.