Song Arrangement Part 1

Introduction

Limp Bizkit recorded the song “Take a Look Around” in the year 2000. It was their first single and tenth track of the album called Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water. 

This particular song ranked as number six and number four by Louder Sound and Kerrang, respectively, as Limp Bizkit's greatest songs of all time. 

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Take a Look Around (MI Theme) as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Song Arrangement and Song Demo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The song is in the key of A, and the tempo of the song is 100 bpm. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: In this introduction, Mike Walker, your guitar instructor, is going to show you the tuning settings for the song. You will also get to know how to play this song in one and a half steps down. 

Song Arrangement: Here you will learn about the four bar space that comes in the intro and the second verse, which is something you get to hear a lot in Mission Impossible movies in the background. 

Song Demo: This is the final section of the guitar lesson, here you will get to see how to play the guitar chords alongside the song. 

Introduction:

Fade to Black was the first power ballad recorded by the metal band Metallica in 1984. This was the first promotional single from the band’s second album which was Ride the Lightning (1984). The final solo of the song uses melody as a means to provide transition to heavy chords. 

Fun Fact: The song and its lyrics address the suicidal feelings because, during the time of its recording, some members of the band were having a really hard time in their personal lives. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios: The solo has heavy chord progression and for the final solo section there are no arpeggios for you to learn. 

Strumming Pattern 

This particular solo is for the lead guitarist, so it doesn’t really follow a strumming pattern like a rhythm part. 

Solo Structure 

Final Solo Part 1: In this part of the guitar solo lesson your instructor is going to be Mike Walker. Mike has divided the final solo from the song Fade to Black in 3 parts, this is the first section from the three parts. 

Final Solo Part 2: This is the second part of the solo, here Mike shows you how to perform overlapping and using the licks that were present in the first part. 

Final Solo Part 3: The third and final section starts with a little pull 

Why Learn to Fade to Black-Final Solo By Metallica?

Learning the guitar solo of Fade to Black isn't an easy task, it is one of the things only lead guitarist in the band wants to try as it requires lots of technical knowledge of the guitar. Speaking of the solo it is the most emotional solo to be ever written and performed in metal history, for this solo you will have to learn how to use bends and vibrato efficiently.

FAQs-This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Which one is the saddest song recorded by Metallica? 

Ans. Fade to Black is considered to be the saddest song from the metal group Metallica. 

Q2. What is the meaning of the song Fade to Black? 

Ans. The story behind the creation of Fade to Black is that Hetfield, one of the band members, was kicked out of the band's manager's home after he drank all his booze and broke things. He then went to his friend’s house, and there, on the couch, he wrote the lyrics of Fade to Black. 

Q3. Has Metallica ever performed in India?

Ans. Yes, Metallica did come to India, they performed in Bangalore on October 18 in 2011. There was one more date in Gurugram but the band was not able to perform at that venue. 

B.Y.O.B. – Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on one of the greatest anti-establishment rebellion songs that brings together metal, punk, and Middle Eastern melodies into a politically charged anthem. – B.Y.O.B. by System of a Down. The song has been received with love across the world and has won a Grammy for the best hard rock performance in 2006. The song has amassed more than 500 million views on YouTube since its release in 2005.

The song name is an acronym for Bring Your Own Bombs, and was made as a form of protest against the american coalition led Iraq War (2003–2011), with lyrics calling out, “Why don't presidents fight the war? Why do they always send the poor?”. It is a song written in strong political commentary on the situation of wars and oppression around the world. The band has a reputation for speaking out for social justice and matters like drug abuse, politics, and suicide in the heavy metal genre.

B.Y.O.B. Guitar Lesson

The lesson on B.Y.O.B. is brought to you by our beloved instructor, Mike Walker, who demonstrates the song in its entirety and explains all parts of the song in great detail. Since this is a heavy metal song, there are a number of unconventional rhythmic patterns and fast melodic lines for the electric guitar, which is a signature sound for this genre of music.

The song is in the key of F major, but the tuning is half a step down; all the strings are tuned down a semitone. This, firstly, widens or brightens the tone, which makes it feel ‘heavy’ and secondly, loosens the strings, which makes it easier to play at a high tempo.

The lesson is easier to master as it only requires rhythmic proficiency to play in its entirety. The song is very drums and lyrics forward, as is with most heavy metal songs. The song is fun to play because of the distorted tone of the guitar. It’s a saturated machine-like sound that has low-frequency notes, which give it a slightly percussive vibe, usually called ‘djent’.

This is also a short lesson, taught easily by Mike, comfortably suited for beginners and advanced players alike.

FAQs

Q. Can I play BYOB in standard tuning?

Yes, you can play BYOB in standard tuning, but then you’ll have to play the song in E major instead of F major, and you’ll also lose the ‘crunch’ in the strumming.

Q. How to sound like Daron Malakian?

If you want to sound like Malakian, you need an Ibanez Iceman DMM1 guitar, going into a Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal distortion pedal, into a Marshall MF350 amp.

Q. Can I play this on an acoustic guitar?

Yes, you can, but it will not have the rage that is needed to lead a rebellion against the war profiteering world leaders.

Unlike the introspective ballads that used to be quite popular in the 2000s, this particular song, “Mitwa,” travels harmonically and emotionally. As you learn to play this song on guitar, your guitar instructor, Mr. Ehsaan Noorani, shows you how the melody rises in arcs, resolves gently, and then once again pushes ahead.

If we talk about the composition, the song creates a sense of hope, longing, and emotional momentum, which gives the song its unique identity. The song beautifully blends major-key optimism with moments of tension, which come in the form of transitional chords. This balance keeps the listener emotionally engaged without feeling heavy.

The guitar work you will be learning in this lesson shows you how to use the guitar as a narrative instrument. In verses, you have to keep focus more on rhythm and clarity. On the other hand, in the pre-chorus and chorus, you will learn how to play fuller strums and sustained chords.

Ehsaan Noorani teaches you how to use functional harmony with this song. You will also find out how chords naturally want to move and resolve. For guitar students, it is one of the ideal songs to learn a progression that flows rather than remaining still.

Why Learn Mitwa From Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Song On Guitar?

As an educational piece, Mitwa helps you develop musical stamina. In all honesty, it’s a long song, and with each verse it evolves to become more grand. As a result, it feels like running a marathon as you practice this on guitar.

Likewise, it introduces you to the section-based dynamics and builds your confidence in both open and semi-open chord progressions. In case you are a beginner, it’s a song that will take you from beginner to intermediate level of musical thinking.

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FAQs – Mitwa Song From Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Guitar Lesson

Q1. Which strumming pattern works best for this guitar song lesson?

Ans. The most common strumming for Mitwa is D – D U – U D – U, the main key here is to learn accent control.

Q2. Are there any chord changes between the verse and the chorus?

Ans. Yes, when you are playing the chorus, you have to use strong resolution chords such as D or D7, which will help you create an emotional lift. You have to keep a contrast between verse and chorus to elevate the song's impact.

Q3. Does this song use any barre chords?

Ans. No, there are no mandatory barre chords for you to learn, but in some cases, you can play Bm. On the other hand, beginners can easily substitute Bm with Bm7.

Q4. What is the biggest technical challenge that learners have to face when practicing Mitwa on guitar?

Ans. The biggest challenge is maintaining an even rhythm while increasing the intensity in the chorus. You have to do this while making sure that you are not rushing through the 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.

Welcome to the guitar lesson on what is a fun experimental track collaborated upon by Pritam and Shah Rukh Khan, Safar from the movie Jab Harry Met Sejal, a modern Indian interpretation of the 1989 Hollywood film When Harry Met Sally. The song has received over 15 million views on YouTube since its release in 2017.

The song is about life as a journey, which is the underlying theme of the movie. Specifically, the narrative around the circle of life, returning to the place one started from after a long journey, i.e. Safar. The lyrical motif of the song is “I don’t belong here or there, I belong to the journey”.

Safar Guitar Lesson

Safar 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, starting from the intro that talks about the chords and different voicings of those chords, through the overdubs and the guitar solo section, to the final section that talks about improvisation on the track.

The song is mostly in the key of C major, but by the genius of Pritam, one of the most prominent music directors of the Bollywood music industry, the song also goes to the G major. The D major and the F major chords, which straddle the two keys, create a unique sound for the song.

The song intro has a swinging rhythm pattern and follows minor 7th and suspended chords, underlying the uncertain, ambiguous and suspenseful nature of the journey of life. The guitar solo is based on the A minor pentatonic scale and features string bending and controlled vibrato techniques, which are very good for practicing those techniques for a beginner.

The acoustic and electric overdubbed motifs play between the verses and chorus, again using techniques like palm-muted picking that the tutor refers to as ‘percolated’ effect on the electric guitar and a major 7th arpeggio on the acoustic guitar.

In the section on improvisation, the tutor demonstrates some of the advanced techniques like pinch harmonics and a whammy bar dive and legato runs. These techniques played over the A minor pentatonic scale up and down the neck make it sound like a classic rock guitar solo.

FAQs

Q. Is Safar suitable for beginners?

The chords themselves are basic, but the song's phrasing and dynamic control may require practice. Beginners can start by learning the chord changes and then focus on the strumming pattern.

Q. What are the main chords used in Safar?

The primary chords are Am7, Fsus2, Dmaj9, with occasional transitions to an F# major in the first section of the song; the latter part of the song features the standard F, C, G and D major chords.

Q. What is the strumming pattern for the song?

The strumming follows a gentle, flowing 4/4 rhythm, down, down-up, up-down-up sequence. Fingerpicking can also be used for the intro and verses to make it feel melodic.

Introduction:

Aahatien made the Agnee band become mainstream in the Indian music industry. The track has melancholic lyrics along with mellow arpeggios that are fun to play and allow you to have yourself in an immersive musical space where every single note and word touches the soul and heart. 

Fun Fact: The band Agnee didn’t release the song after they finished composing and recording it because they didn’t feel that the song fit in with other tracks that were part of their album. But then MTV Splitsvilla approached the band for a song, and Aahatien became the title track for the live television series. 

Strumming Pattern:

The strumming pattern of the song resonates with its mellow and emotional connection along with the flowing rhythm: D – D U – U D U

• D = Down Strum 
• U = Up Strum 

Song Structure:

Intro Arpeggios, Chords, and Rhythm: In this introduction of a guitar lesson, you will be learning how to play arpeggios for this song, which you can easily play through the entirety of it, or you can simply play it in the beginning. 

Solo Part-1: The solo present in this song comes from the combination of two guitars, but you can also pick one guitar and play its part. In this section of the guitar lesson Steve Luciano is going to teach you the first part of the solo lesson. 

Solo Part-2: This part of the lesson will help you understand how to play the solo parts of the second guitar. 

Solo Part-3: Here, you will be playing the solo from the 12th position of your guitar 

Solo Part-4: In this part, you will learn how to play the ending notes of the solo. 

Easy Capo Version: This is the last part of the guitar lesson, where your guitar instructor is going to show you how to play the entire song in a much easier way using capo. 

Why Learn Aahatein By Agnee?

Aahatien is a song that provides you means to connect with your deeper emotions; the intro and the verse present in the song use clean and flowing arpeggios that are perfect for practicing fingerpicking techniques and learning how to have smooth chord transitions. 

FAQs – Aahatein Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who composed and performed Aahatien? 

Ans. Aahatien was composed and performed by the Indian rock band Agnee, who is well known for blending contemporary rock with Indian classical elements to produce a unique sound that has never been heard before. 

Q2. How many members are part of the Agnee band? 

Ans. Over a period of 20 years, there have been a number of people who joined the Agnee band and left it as well, but the two main pillars of the band were Kock, who is the lead guitarist of the band, and Mohan, who is the lead singer. Together, they create a unique sound. 

Q3. What is the hidden meaning behind the song Aahatien? 

Ans. Aahatien is a song that describes how one feels when they are distant from their loved ones; the song tells the feeling of fading love and the echoes of a relationship that is coming to an end. 

Dil Kya Mehfil Hai is a timeless romantic song from the 1977 Bollywood film Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, starring Rishi Kapoor and Kaajal Kiran. Sung by the legendary Kishore Kumar, with music composed by R.D. Burman and lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri, the song beautifully captures the emotions of love and longing. The melody blends Indian classical influences with Western orchestration, creating a rich, nostalgic sound that remains beloved decades later.

The song’s poetic lyrics compare the heart to a gathering (mehfil) of emotions, where love is both a celebration and a sorrow. Kishore Kumar’s expressive vocals, combined with Burman’s intricate arrangements featuring strings, piano, and light percussion, give the track its dreamy, melancholic charm. Even today, "Dil Kya Mehfil Hai" is remembered as one of Kishore Kumar’s finest performances and a highlight of R.D. Burman’s illustrious career.

Dil Kya Mehfil Hai Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Walker, this lesson breaks down how to play "Dil Kya Mehfil Hai" on guitar. The song is set at 120 BPM and uses a series of rich chords: G#, F#, C#, B, and D#. These chords create a lush, emotional progression that drives the song’s nostalgic feel. The strumming pattern is smooth and flowing, matching the song’s romantic mood.

The verse follows a G# - F# - C# - B pattern, with each chord held for two beats. The chorus introduces D# for a brighter resolution. The key is to let the chords ring out, using gentle downstrokes with occasional upstrokes to keep the rhythm natural. The song’s bridge adds variation with a C# - B - G# - F# sequence, creating tension before returning to the main progression.

For the melody, the song primarily uses the G# major scale (G#-A#-C-C#-D#-F-G), with occasional slides and light vibrato to mimic Kishore Kumar’s vocal phrasing. The lead guitar parts should focus on smooth, sustained notes, emphasizing the emotional highs and lows of the tune.

Beginners should start by mastering the chord shapes, especially the G# and D# barre chords, which may be challenging at first. Intermediate players can work on the strumming dynamics, playing softly in verses and with more intensity in the chorus. Advanced players can explore fingerstyle arpeggios to replicate the song’s orchestral texture.    

FAQs

Q. How do I play G# and D# chords more easily?

• For G#, try 466544 (full barre) or xx1114 (simplified). For D#, xx1343 is easier than a full barre.

Q. What’s the strumming pattern?

• Use down-down-up-down-up for a flowing feel, keeping it relaxed.

Q. Can I use a capo?

• Yes, capo on 1st fret and play G-F-C-Am shapes to avoid difficult barre chords.

Q. How to make it sound more like the original?

• Add light reverb and play with expressive dynamics—softer in verses, fuller in choruses.

Q. What scale works for improvising?

• The G# major pentatonic (G#-A#-C#-D#-F#) fits well for simple melodic fills. 

Introduction:

Dildara is a song that was based on Ben E. King’s legendary track Stand By Me but with the inclusion of a Bollywood twist, making it the best of both worlds. Sony Music officially acquired the rights for the song Stand By Me to use in this song’s composition. 

Fun Fact: Dildara is one of the rare Bollywood songs that legally samples an international hit. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson:

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: With the use of arpeggios, you can make the song more emotional and soft for the ears. 

Let’s use string numbers for clarity:

6 (low E) → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 1 (high E)

For most of these chords, focus on strings 5 to 1 since root notes for C, Am, and F are on the 5th string.

Strumming Pattern:

You need to understand that the groove of the song is pretty mellow making the chords produce sound beautifully. Also, the strumming pattern it follows is quite a standard one which you can use in most of the Bollywood songs. D - DU - UDU. 

• D = Down Strum 
• U = Up Strum 

Song Structure:

Chords, Rhythm, and Rhythm: For this guitar lesson, your guitar instructor is going to be Will MacMorran; first, he will showcase how to tune your guitar for the song; on the other hand, he will show you why you should be using a capo on 2nd fret. 

Why Learn Dildara From The Movie RA One?

Learning a Dildara song on guitar is pretty simple; it follows classic chords, making it a perfect choice for beginners who are just about to embark on a guitar learning journey. In addition to this, as you play this song, you will learn how to smoothly transition between various chords and develop rhythm along with strumming skills. 

FAQs-Yaaron Dosti Guitar Lesson

Q1. Was Ra One Hit?

Ans. The budget of the film was around 150 crore rupees, and it was able to make 207 crore worldwide, making it a commercial success. 

Q2. Who was the main villain of the movie Ra One? 

Ans. Ra One was the name of the main villain; the character was portrayed by Arjum Rampal, and the villain was a modern avatar of the mythological figure Raavan. 

Q3. What was the name of the kid in the movie Ra One? 

Ans. In the movie, the name of the kid is Prateek Subramanium, and the role is played by Armaan Verma. 

Q4. Will there ever be Ra One 2? 

Ans. Anubhav Singh, in an interview, said that there will be a Ra One sequel coming in years to come.