Improvisation

Crazy Minnal is one of the vibrant Tamil songs that was part of the movie Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, which was released in 2012. This song stands out as the promotional track for the film due to its upbeat tempo and memorable tune. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction of this guitar lesson is from Bobby Koelble, who is also going to be your instructor. In this introduction, Bobby shares his views on the song; he tells us that the song includes a pretty nice tune that has to be played on acoustic guitar for the best results. 

Verse 1: This particular part is the longest, and here you will learn about the chords, rhythm, and song arrangement of the 1st verse that comes in the beginning. The guitar part starts from the lead vocals; for this part, you will be using right-hand fingerpicking techniques, so do spend some time perfecting this particular part, as this technique is quite useful if you are going to be a professional guitarist. 

Pre-chorus and Chorus: The pre-chorus present in this song is just 4 bars long, and it follows a simple rhythm. 

Solo Rhythm: Now comes the part where you will learn how to play the epic solo; here, Bobby first shows you the chords that are being played below the main solo, which has a very subtle rhythm part that keeps playing in the background as the guitar solo progresses. Once this is done, Bobby will teach you how to play the solo part. 

Bridge: This part shows you how to play the bridge, which is a total of 12 measures; here, you will be mostly playing the chords that you have already learned in the above section; there are two or three additional chords for this lesson. 

Verse 3: When you listen to the third verse, you might think it’s pretty similar to what you have learned in the first verse; well, it is partially true; here, you will find there’s a change in harmony, and if we compare it rhythmically we can find that it is completely different than the 

first one. 

Pre-chorus 2 and Chorus 2: Once again, the pre-chorus is similar to the first one but with the addition of two new chords for you to learn and practice. 

Song Demo: This is the part where your guitar instructor plays the guitar parts of the song with the backing track. 

Solo Lesson: Here, you will learn how to play the solo, which is pretty small in terms of bar length. But it does hold significance when it learns the right essence of this song. 

Simple Version: In this last section, Bobby plays each section of the song, but this time, instead of using complex bar chords and progressions, he will keep things simple to make it easier for beginners to learn this song. 

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.

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.

Chundari Penne - Introduction

Chundari Penne is a beloved Malayalam song from the 2016 film Charlie. The track features Dulquer Salmaan’s warm, conversational vocals and was composed by Gopi Sundar with lyrics by Santhosh Varma. The song’s gentle melody and heartfelt words made it an instant favourite. Its mix of acoustic guitar, light percussion, and subtle strings gives it a nostalgic yet fresh feel.

The song connects deeply with the character of Charlie, a free-spirited traveller in the film. This added emotional layers to the music. The lyrics paint a picture of love and longing in simple but poetic Malayalam. Dulquer’s singing style feels personal, almost like he’s telling a story rather than performing. The track stands out in Malayalam cinema for its blend of modern and traditional sounds.

Chundari Penne Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Dugan, this lesson covers the song’s soothing guitar work. The track is in G major and uses a relaxed strumming pattern that matches its easygoing vibe. The main progression moves between G, Em, C, and D, creating a circular, flowing feel. The chords are basic but played with a light touch to keep the mood airy.

The strumming pattern follows a down-down-up-up-down-up rhythm. This gives the song its signature sway. The tempo is slow, so focus on keeping the strokes even and relaxed. The verses have a softer dynamic, while the chorus opens up slightly with fuller strums. Palm muting is used sparingly, just to add subtle texture in certain spots.

For the lead parts, the melody follows the vocal line closely. The fills between verses use simple hammer-ons and pull-offs on the higher strings. The solo section is minimal, sticking to the G major scale with a few tasteful bends. The tone should be clean and warm, with just a hint of reverb to match the original recording.

Beginners can start by mastering the chord changes at a slow pace. The song’s slow tempo makes it forgiving for practice. Intermediate players should work on matching the delicate dynamics between sections. The key is to keep the playing light and expressive, not forceful.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is used in this song?

Standard tuning (E A D G B E). No capo is needed.

Q. How do I get the right strumming feel?

Keep your wrist loose and emphasise the upstrokes slightly to create that bouncy rhythm.

Q. Is this song good for beginners?

Yes, the chords are simple, and the slow tempo makes it great for practising smooth transitions.

Q. What effects are used on the guitar?

A clean tone with light reverb and maybe a touch of chorus for depth.

Q. Can I play it fingerstyle?

Absolutely. Plucking the bass notes with your thumb and the higher strings with your fingers will create a softer sound.

Welcome to the guitar lesson on a beautiful, melancholic ballad that is Choo Lo by The Local Train, which features an iconic intro and a powerful chorus that gives goosebumps every time you listen to it. The band’s debut album, ‘Aalas ka Ped’, was received with joy and celebrated across the country. The song Choo Lo has over 80 million views on YT.

Choo Lo is a story about romantic longing. The lover exclaims that he is still standing and waiting where she had left him and that she should touch him, or else he’ll be lost. Invoking the feelings of deep melancholy and longing for a loved one, this song resonated with everyone who had ever been in love. 

Choo Lo Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, the tutor goes over all the parts of the song, starting from the basics –key and tuning of the song to the solo section, along with improvisation tips. The first few sections focus on the intro part, followed by sections on rhythm, chords, strumming, and time signatures, followed by the power chord section that covers the chorus part of the song. Finally, the tutor demonstrates a full playthrough of the song.

The interesting thing about Choo Lo guitar chords is that two of them are suspended chords –Asus2 and Bsus2. These chords do not have the major or the minor third in them, which means that the chords don’t have a concrete identity and give a feeling of incompleteness. The incompleteness relates well to the overall narrative of the song, which is about the desire to be acknowledged. 

The tempo of the song is 146 bpm in 4/4 timing, and the strumming pattern is D - - D - U D U D - D - (D is a downward strum, and U is an Upward strum). The tutor meticulously explores all the melody motifs in the song and teaches the solo note by note in the final sections of the lesson.

The lesson also offers Choo Lo lyrics and guitar tabs along with the video lesson.

The real beauty of this song is in the power chords that are played over the chorus that, when played with a band, in artist speak, sounds ‘big’. Go ahead and pick up your acoustic guitar and treat yourself to one of the sweetest intro melodies.

FAQs

Q. How can I quickly learn the Choo Lo guitar solo?

1. Break the solo into shorter sections and practice them individually until you master them, and then, once mastered, practice transitioning between the sections until the solo sounds as one.

Q. How to play suspended chords?

1. Playing suspended chords at first can be challenging, especially if you’re a beginner, but as instructed by the tutor in this lesson, you can play fewer notes of the chords to get the essential sound and eventually get to the full barre chords.

Praise – Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on the Christian rock gospel track by Everlasting Worship called Praise. The song was released in mid-2023 and has since been streamed over 150 million times on YouTube. Praise is a collaborative effort by Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore in the name of Jesus.

The message in the song is a declaration of devotion to Jesus Christ, lord and Saviour, who is all worthy of praise. There is deep devotional meaning in the lyrics of the song that talks about praising the lord in every situation and stage of life, for he is sovereign and true. The artists say, “Praise is also a weapon… Praise is how you fight for your perspective. Praise is how you take your imagination back from the enemy. Praise is how you inspire your faith and remember God’s faithfulness”.

Praise Guitar Lesson

The lesson here covers all parts of the song section by section, including the introduction, chords and rhythms, and the different techniques required to play this song perfectly. The tutor has demonstrated how to play the song using a capo as well as without a capo in the latter part of the lesson.

Praise chords are derived from the A major scale, which are A, Dadd9, F#m, E, and Bm. But since the open chord shapes sound louder and brighter, they make it tricky to produce the muted tones. Hence, the instructor suggests the use of a capo, which, instead of the nut pressing the strings from the bottom, does it from the top, and the muting effect becomes easy to achieve. Consequently, there arises a need to then transpose the song two frets ahead, which makes the chord shapes easier to play.

The song features augmented chords and minor 7th chords. They give a dreamy and expanding feel to the song. The strumming resembles a shuffle pattern with some muted strums for a percussive effect. This pattern, which is a little complex to master but sounds most fun to play, is carefully shown by the instructor, which the learners will find helpful.

FAQs

Q. What chords are used in ‘Praise’ by Elevation Worship?

The song uses standard chords like G, Cadd9, Em7, and D, using a capo on the 2nd fret. This is a common modern worship progression that is quite easy to play.

Q. Is Praise suitable for acoustic guitar beginners?

Yes, Praise is suitable for beginners. Although it has a higher tempo, that is only because of the strumming pattern, which is easy to play with a capo on. The chords are also easy to play with a capo on.

Q. How can I improve playing Praise live?

The greatest obstacle in live playing is the nerves, the adrenaline that makes your hands shake in front of an audience. A good way to deal with that is to not face the audience directly and stand at an angle, partly facing the audience and partly the band members.