Introduction

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. 

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Te Amo (Dum Maaro Dum) as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Te Amo (Non Capo Version) and Te Amo (Capo Version). Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

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. 

Dil Kya Kare is from the 1975 film Julie is a hit song that, over the years, has fallen into the category of classic love songs. The song was composed by Rajesh Roshan, and the legendary Kishore Kumar gave the vocals. 

Fun Fact: The song Dil Kya Kare was recorded in one take by Kishore Kumar, the infusions of so much emotion in his voice during the first take of the recording that the entire team decided not to for another session, which is a rare occurrence in the film music industry 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction of the guitar lesson Dil Kya Kare by J.J. Pattishall describes the technicalities of the song. In addition to this, your guitar instructor gives you an overview of the things you are about to learn in the coming sections. 

Chords and Rhythm: In this part, you will be learning how to play the different chords that are part of this song, and after that, J.J. will share his insights on the rhythm technique that you have to follow. 

Verse, Prechorus and Chorus: In this section, J.J. has divided the song into three primary sections, starting with the verse, then comes pre chorus and finally chorus. Your guitar instructor will show you where and how to play the chords on the guitar, which you have just learned in the above section. 

Licks, Interlude, and Bridge: Right here, you will learn the chords required to play the instrumental section present in the song. 

Song Demo: This is the final part of the guitar lesson where J.J. Pattishall will play the guitar chords with the backing track to show you how to sync up your guitar play with that of the vocals present in the song. 

Why Learn Dil Kya Kare Song?

Learning this song on guitar is not only musically enriching, but it is emotionally rewarding as well. With this song, you will be able to comprehend the masterclass in melody that used to be part of old Bollywood songs. In addition to this, it will help you get the essence of Indian compositions, which can give you an advantage in terms of adding variety to your guitar playing style. 

FAQS – Dil Kya Kare Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What should be the mood and the playing style for the song Dil Kya Kare from the movie Julie? 

Ans. This is a romantic song combined with a love ballad, so it is required that you keep the tempo slow to create a melancholic and yet soothing tone. 

Q2. Is the song Dil Kya Kare suitable for beginners? 

Ans. Yes, in order to play this, you need to learn basic open chords, and when you are playing it on guitar, the pace of the song is slow, making it easier for newcomers to practice and learn. 

Q3. Can I sing this song as I play it on my guitar? 

Ans. Yes, you can, both the rhythm and the chord progression are singer-friendly, especially when you are playing solo. 

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!

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Titli is a beautifully composed romantic song from the hit Bollywood movie Chennai Express starring Deepika Padukone and Shahrukh Khan. This song has intricate classical elements with a touch of modern melodies, offering you as a guitarist a rare chance to explore melodic expression and subtle dynamics. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The verse section can be played with a fingerpicking pattern, which is like this: 

P – I – M – A – M – I  

(Thumb – Index – Middle – Ring – Middle – Index)

Where: 

• P = 5th or 6th string (bass note)
• I = 3rd string
• M = 2nd string
• A = 1st string

Strumming Pattern 

The basic strumming pattern you need to follow for this song is D-D-U-U-D-U. 

This particular pattern can be used throughout the chorus and the bridge section of the song. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: In this introduction, J.J. Pattishall tells you the song is in the key of E minor and shows you the position of the capo on the 3rd fret of the guitar. Finally, he also shows you how to tune up the guitar specifically for the song.  

Song Arrangement - Part 1: This section provides you with information about the chords you need to play with the first verse. 

Song Arrangement - Part 2: In this part of the guitar lesson, you are going to learn about the chords that are present in the second verse of the song. 

Song Demo: Here is the demo of how you should be playing the guitar chords with the backing track playing alongside. 

Overdubs: Now that you learned chords for the main guitar, it’s time to check out the chords for the second guitar, which adds a couple of tunes to the song which makes it more special and harmonious. 

Easy Version: Here is the easy version of the same song for beginners. It’s a good song to practice on guitar for newcomers. As a result, J.J. shows you how you can play the entire song with much easier chords using a capo. 

Backing Track Simple Version: This is the part where J.J. shows you how to keep up your simple version guitar chords with the vocals and other instruments that are part of the song. 

Why Learn the Titli Song From Chennai Express?

Titli is a song for which you have to be gentle with your guitar; it uses flowing melodies that are the base for developing expressive and emotive guitar playing. Both the intro and the verse sections of the song fit perfectly with arpeggios or light fingerpicking, thus helping you strengthen your accuracy and feel. 

Furthermore, the song keeps on transitioning from soft verses to soaring choruses, which makes it possible for you to practice volume control and bring emotional contrast in your guitar play with the implementation of different strumming and picking techniques. 

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.

Abhi Kuch Dino Se is a song that truly captures the feeling of being in love; with this song, you get to explore how one can share their emotions and feelings using guitar strums and dynamics. 

Fun Fact: This is a romantic song, but the movie Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, 2011, for which the song belongs, is a quirky comedy and is pretty light-hearted as well. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The basic chord progression for the verse is: 

G – D – Em – C. 

For the chords that are rooted on the 6th String (like G):

6 – 4 – 3 – 2

(Bass note → Middle → Higher strings)

For chords rooted on the 5th string (like C):

5 – 4 – 3 – 2

Strumming Pattern 

The strumming pattern which you need to follow for this song is: D-D-U-U-D-U. 

• D = Down Strum 
• U = Up Strum 

Song Structure 

Introduction: There are a couple of guitar parts in this song which Steve Luciano breaks in this guitar lesson one by one. He also shares his thoughts on how the guitar tune makes the song amazing.

Intro Lick: In this part of the song lesson, you will be learning how to play the intro lick, which comes at the beginning of the song. 

Verse 1 and Chorus: After the small intro lick, in this part of the guitar lesson, you will learn the chords used in the intro, verse 1 and the first chorus of the song. 

Verse 2 and Chorus: Here, Steve is first going to show you the chords you need to learn, and then he moves to the rhythm that you have to follow. 

Conclusion: In this conclusion section, Steve tells you the importance of learning and practicing the chords that are part of this song. 

Why Learn Abhi Kuch Dino Se By Pritam Song?

This is a go-to song for people who are performing in serendas, open mics, or having a casual jam session with their loved ones. You can use different strumming techniques to create a more fuller sound. On the other hand, with the use of arpeggios, you could be creating a softer and more melodic sound as well. 

FAQs – Abhi Kuch Dino Se By Pritam Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What is the theme of the song Abhi Kuch Dino Say? 

Ans. This song talks about the feeling of love, which makes life seem a bit more beautiful and positive. 

Q2. To play Abhi Kuch Dino Se by Pritam, do you require Capo? 

Ans. No capo is required to play this song, but if you want, you can use the capo on the 2nd fret to match the original pitch of the song. 

Q3. Is there a possibility that I can use arpeggios or fingerpicking techniques to play this song? 

Ans. You can use fingerpicking or simple arpeggios to play the intro and different verse sections of the song. 

Fear of the Dark - Introduction

Fear of the Dark is one of Iron Maiden’s most famous songs, released in 1992 on the album of the same name. Written by bassist Steve Harris, it explores the fear of darkness and the unknown. The song starts slow and eerie, then explodes into fast, heavy riffs. It became a fan favorite, especially in live shows where the crowd sings along.

The lyrics describe the creeping fear of being alone in the dark, where every shadow feels threatening. Bruce Dickinson’s powerful vocals and the twin-guitar harmonies make it unforgettable. The song’s structure is dynamic; starting quiet, building tension, then bursting into full energy. It remains one of their most-streamed tracks today.

Fear of the Dark Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Walker, this lesson breaks down the song’s F major to D minor shifts. The intro uses clean arpeggios (F - C - Dm - Bb) before the heavy riff kicks in. The main riff is in D minor, played with palm muting for a tight sound. The tempo starts at 80 BPM but speeds up later.

The verse has a chugging rhythm (D5 - C5 - Bb5), while the chorus opens up with power chords (F5 - C5 - D5 - Bb5). The solos use the D harmonic minor scale (D-E-F-G-A-Bb-C#), giving them a dark, dramatic feel. The twin-guitar harmonies are a key feature—two guitars play different but matching melodies.

For the solos, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith use the D harmonic minor scale (D-E-F-G-A-Bb-C#). This scale gives the leads their dramatic, almost classical sound. The twin-guitar harmonies are a key feature—one guitar plays a melody while the other plays a matching part at a different pitch. These harmonies use intervals of thirds and sixths to create that classic Iron Maiden sound.

The bridge section before the final chorus has a rhythm part with quick chord changes. Here, you switch between D5 - F5 - C5 - Bb5 in rapid succession. The key is to keep your palm muting consistent while moving between chords. The song ends with a repeat of the intro arpeggios.

Beginners should start by learning the power chord shapes and the galloping rhythm pattern. Practice the palm muting to get that tight, punchy sound. Intermediate players can work on the twin-guitar harmonies—try recording one part and playing the other over it. Advanced players should focus on the vibrato and bends in the solos, which need to be precise to match the original recording.

FAQs

Q. What tuning does Iron Maiden use for this song?

Standard tuning (EADGBE), though they sometimes play it half-step down live.

Q. How do I play the rhythm correctly?

Use downstrokes on the main beats and upstrokes in between (down-down-up). Start slow with a metronome.

Q. Why does the solo sound so dramatic?

It uses the D harmonic minor scale, which has a raised 7th note (C# instead of C natural).

Q. Can I play this song on a single guitar?

Yes, but you’ll miss the harmonies. Try recording one guitar part and playing the other over.

Purani Jeans - Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on one of the classic youth anthems of the early 90s, Pakistan – Purani Jeans by Ali Haider. This song rose to fame in the era of cassette tapes and vinyl records, and evokes emotions of nostalgia among the fans of Haider Ali, who are now in their 50s, by the way. The song was part of the Sandesa album released in 1993, and on YouTube has achieved almost 5 million views.

The song Purani Jeans, which translates to ‘Old Jeans’, is about celebrating the spirit of youth, especially the arriving adulthood phase –exploring themes of college life, self-discovery, rebellion, romance and more. The lyrics paint a picture of the singer looking back at his youth and reminiscing about the events and stories that he had lived, metaphorising the phase using the jeans as a symbol.

Purani Jeans Guitar Lesson

Purani Jeans guitar lesson is taught by our beloved expert, Mike Walker, 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.

The intro of the song features a rhythmic riff that is based on the mixolydian scale, a major scale with the flattened seventh degree, which gives the riff a jazzy sound. The strumming and legato notes of the riff resemble those from songs like ‘Summer of '69’ and ‘Hey Joe’.

The song mostly features power chords, i.e. chords without the third, that are played on a distorted electric guitar and consist of standard shapes. The majority of the strumming is palm muted, which gives the song that rock-metal vibe. There are also a number of small overdubbed motifs that play over the rhythm guitar that embellish the progression.

Purani jeans also features a guitar solo that is based on the mixolydian scale, featuring jazz and bluesy licks and lines with minor 7th and half diminished chord arpeggios. This solo is a great example of how to mix different theory concepts in your soloing. The tutor here explains all the parts of the solo note for note.

FAQs

Q. What is the song Purani Jeans about?

Purani Jeans is a nostalgic Pakistani pop-rock song by Ali Haider that reminisces about youthful memories, friendships, and carefree days.

Q. Can I play this song on an acoustic guitar?

Yes! The original version of the song is a pop song with mellower but upbeat rhythm, which can be played easily on an acoustic guitar, which lends more to the emotional and nostalgic appeal of the song’s narrative.