Song Demo with Backing Track

Channa Mereya – Introduction

Channa Mereya is a soulful ballad from the 2016 Bollywood film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, composed by Pritam and sung by Arijit Singh. The song, written by Amitabh Bhattacharya, explores themes of unrequited love and heartbreak, perfectly capturing the emotional turmoil of Ranbir Kapoor’s character in the film. Its melancholic yet poetic lyrics, combined with Arijit Singh’s emotive vocals, made it an instant classic.

The song became one of the most popular tracks from the album, peaking at #1 on Radio Mirchi’s Top 20 chart and staying there for five months. It was also nominated for several awards, including Best Lyricist at the Filmfare Awards. The acoustic and Sufi-inspired arrangement, that beings together Indian classical elements with contemporary.

Channa Mereya Guitar Lesson

Steve Luciano trachea you how to play the Channa Mereya melody while breaking down the song’s delicate guitar work. The track is in the key of A minor. The verse melody begins with a gentle descent from F to D, establishing the melancholic mood. The pre-chorus builds tension by emphasizing the higher notes (C and D), while the chorus releases this tension with its wider intervallic leaps. The melody's beauty lies in its subtle variations, the singer in the song slightly alters certain phrases when they repeat.

To play this on guitar, use the middle position of the neck (5th to 8th frets). The main phrases can be played on the B and high E strings, with some notes extending to the G string. Focus on clean hammer-ons and pull-offs between adjacent notes, and use vibrato on sustained notes to match Arijit's vocal style.

For the more expressive sections, incorporate slides between notes and careful bending (especially the microtonal bends characteristic of Indian music). The bridge section features the melody's highest notes - practice shifting positions smoothly to reach these. Remember to breathe between phrases like a singer would.

The melody stands out for its beautiful simplicity and emotional power. The tune stays with listeners long after the song ends, making it one of Arijit Singh's most memorable performances. This lesson focuses specifically on playing the vocal melody on guitar.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is used in this song?

Standard tuning (E A D G B E) with no capo needed.

Q. How do I play the arpeggios smoothly?

Practice slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before speeding up.

Q. Is this song suitable for beginners?

Yes, the chords are basic, but the emotional delivery requires practice.

Q. What effects are used on the guitar?

A clean tone with light reverb matches the original recording.

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. 

Dilbar Mere Kab Tak Mujhe - Introduction

Dilbar Mere Kab Tak Mujhe is a classic romantic song from the 1982 Hindi film Satte Pe Satta. The legendary Kishore Kumar sang this track with additional humming by Annette Pinto. Music director R.D. Burman created the memorable melody while Anand Bakshi wrote the emotional lyrics. In the movie, the song plays during a wedding reception scene featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini. The lyrics express deep longing, with lines asking how long the lover will keep tormenting the singer.

The song uses a 6/8 time signature which gives it a gentle waltz-like feel. This rhythm pattern makes the melody flow smoothly like a dance. The orchestration blends Western instruments with Indian melody structures. Even after 40 years, the song remains popular because of its simple yet powerful emotional expression through music.

Dilbar Mere Kab Tak Mujhe Guitar Lesson

Taught by Steve Luciano, this lesson breaks down the song's structure in F minor. The chord progression follows a repeating pattern of Fm - Bbm - Eb - Db. These chords create the sad yet romantic mood of the song. The 6/8 timing means you count six beats per measure with emphasis on beats 1 and 4.

The strumming pattern uses downstrokes on the main beats with some light upstrokes in between. For the verse, play two downstrokes per chord lasting three beats each. The pre-chorus switches to arpeggios where you pluck individual notes of each chord slowly. The chorus returns to strumming but with more energy.

The melody uses the F natural minor scale (F-G-Ab-Bb-C-Db-Eb). This scale gives the song its emotional quality. The vocal line moves step-by-step through this scale with occasional jumps. On guitar, you can play these melody lines by focusing on the first three strings (G, B, E) between frets 1-5.

For beginners, start by mastering the chord changes slowly. The Bbm to Eb transition needs special attention. Intermediate players can work on matching the vocal melody on guitar. Advanced players should focus on the subtle dynamics - where the song gets louder and softer to match the emotions.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is used for this song?

Standard tuning (EADGBE) works perfectly for this song.

Q. How to count 6/8 timing?

Count it as "1-2-3-4-5-6" with slight emphasis on 1 and 4.

Q. What's the best way to play the Bbm chord?

Use the barre chord version at fret 1 or the simpler three-finger shape without barre.

Q. How to make it sound more authentic?

Add gentle vibrato on longer notes and use dynamics to follow the vocal emotion.

Q. Can I use a capo?

Yes, capo on 1st fret and play in E minor shapes if easier.

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Yaarian as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Intro, Chords, and Rhythm, Song Demo and Electric Overdub Parts. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Meethi Boliyan as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Song Arrangement, Song Demo, Intro Solo and Overdubs and Electric Overdubs. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Ishq Haazir Hai is the title track of a short movie of the same name, having lead actors Diljit Dosanjh & Wamiqa Gabbi. It’s a song that is known for being a romantic melody that truly captures the essence of love and longing. 

Furthermore, even a decade after its release, we can still hear this song being played on various radio channels, showcasing that its emotional resonance is still intact among Diljit's fans.

Strumming Pattern 

The main strumming pattern for this song is D-D-U-U-D-D-U. It would be great if you slowly start with just downstrokes; once you get comfortable with the beat, you can then start adding upstrokes in your practice. 

Also, focus more on consistent timing rather than speed in the beginning. Be gentle as you play chords to keep up with the flowing strumming technique required for this song. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction is from J.J. Pattishall; he starts this guitar lesson by showing you the standard guitar tuning that is required for this song. Also, the song is in the key of A minor. For this song, you do need to have a capo, which you will place on the 5th fret. 

Chords and Rhythm: Here, you will get to know about all the chords that you will be playing in this song, along with the rhythm that you have to follow. 

Song Arrangement: J.J. has divided the song arrangement into three sections called the verse and chorus; these two have similar chords, and the third section is a bridge. 

Song Demo: In this part of the song lesson, you will see how to play the entire guitar part of the song with the backing track. 

Ending Lick: There are a few licks positioned here and there in the song, which you will be learning here. 

Overdub Licks: Here, you will learn chords that work as a fill-in for the second guitar; these chords are not played by the lead guitarist, so if you want, you can skip these up. 

Improvisation: Finally, here, J.J. shows you some improvisation techniques that can help you find your own musical tone as you practice this song; from this part, you will be able to develop your own individual style. 

Easy Non-Capo Version: This is a more simplified version of the song, and you don’t need to require Capo for this one. 

Why Learn Ishq Haazir Hai Song On Guitar?

This one is a quick and simple song to learn because of its beginner-friendly chord guides; with this song, you learn smooth chord transitions and learn how to maintain a consistent rhythm from start to finish. 

Iktara is the soul-touching song composed by none other than Amit Trivedi, and the lyrics of the song were penned down by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The song plays a crucial role in the movie, reflecting the personal growth of the main character and his introspection. 

Fun Fact: The song was not meant to be the emotional centrepiece of the movie; in fact, it was added pretty late in the film because the production team felt that there was a need for a soulful and reflective track in the movie. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The given progression C – G – Am – F has to be repeated throughout the verse, and it forms the base of the arpeggiated picking. 

Apart from this, the basic arpeggio pattern which you should follow is this: P – I – M – A – M – I. 

Apply this to:

• C chord (P = 5th string)
• G chord (P = 6th string)
• Am chord (P = 5th string)
• F chord (P = 6th string)

Strumming Pattern 

The strumming pattern that you need to follow for this song is D – D U – U D U.

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: In the introduction of this song lesson, Steve gives an overview of the song and the things you are going to learn in this lesson. He also gives you a sneak peek of how the song uses open chords and easy strumming patterns that are beginner-friendly. 

Song Arrangement: Here you are going to learn the chords and rhythm of the main guitar, which sets the tone of the song. Steve will show you all the base notes that you require to play this one. 

Solo 1: This solo is present in the key of G, and Steve will play the solo for you to show you where you need to put your fingers in order to mimic the exact sound that you hear in the song. 

Solo 2: The second solo is a bit longer than the first one, and it is present in the G tonality. You can copy the finger placement that is used by Steve in this lesson, or you can change it according to your comfort and knowledge. 

Song Demo: In the final section of this guitar lesson, Steve is going to play the guitar parts of the song while the song is being played in the background. 

FAQS – Iktara (Original) Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who composed the song Iktara for the movie Wake Up Sid? 

Ans. The song was composed by Amit Trivedi and sung by Kavita Seth and Amitabh Bhattacharya. 

Q2. Is the song beginner-friendly for people who are new to guitar? 

Ans. Yes, it is considered to be a great song for beginners to learn as it features open chords and has a gentle strumming pattern. 

Q3. Are there any arpeggios present in the song Iktara? 

Ans. Yes, you can use arpeggios in the intro and verse section of the song; it works pretty well with the soft acoustic version. 

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Maa as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction and Arpeggios, Verse and Rhythm, Interlude and Chorus and Solo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le - Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on a super duper hit evergreen song of the 80s, Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le from the movie Sadma. Composed by the legendary composer Illaiyaraaja, who was given the title of Maestro by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra London, and written by Gulzar, this song has become a defining tune of 80s Bollywood music.

The song is about finding and celebrating joy in the small things of day-to-day life. The innocence of Somu and Reshmi's relationship, a main plot in the film, walks the tender line between affection and love, and comes out beautifully as they enjoy the pleasures of everyday chores together.

The story follows the plot of a woman who regresses to her childhood self after a head injury which is the ‘sadma’ and is then rescued from a brothel by a school teacher who then falls in love with her. This song celebrates the little moments of joy and playful romance between the two.

There have been many renditions and remakes of the song, but the original version has a classic orchestrall arrangement with multiple instruments.

Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le Guitar Lesson

The guitar lesson on Ae zindagi gale laga le is taught by our beloved expert Steve Luciano, who explains all parts of the song in a section-by-section manner. Starting with the basic key and chords information about the song, to the section on improvisation and soloing ideas, the tutor explains it all in great detail.

The song is in the key of D minor, sometimes going into the parallel minor sound of D major as well. It also features some melodic lines that use the D harmonic minor scale.

The song features 6th chords, slash chords and diminished chords along with some standard chord shapes.

The lesson also includes the tutor explaining the overdub parts of the song that can be played on either an acoustic or a clean tone electric guitar. There are parts that change time signatures, they go from a 4/4 to a 5/4 rhythm. The rhythm changes can be played with a busy strumming hand with fast up and down strums.

Illayaraj has also sprinkled in some major 7th arpeggios in some overdubs, which sound buttery smooth in synergy with the rest of the track. The thing about major 7th sound is that they are ‘annoying’ to the ear and need to be resolved; once resolved, they sound beautiful.

FAQs

Q. Is this song suitable for beginners?

While the chords are easy to master, mastering the rhythm section requires practice. Beginners can start by mastering the chord shapes before focusing on the rhythm.

Q. What are the main chords used in ‘Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le’?

The primary chords are Dm, A, F, E, Bb, but the composer of the song has chosen to put all of the chords of D minor as well as of the D major scale, creating a dynamic and soothing progression.

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Tu Hi Mera as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords, Intro Piece, Groove Section, Song Demo, Discussion on Rhythm and Conclusion, Solo 1 Lesson and Solo 2 Lesson. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

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Welcome to the guitar lesson for Dariya, the soft and emotional track from the 2016 film Baar Baar Dekho. Written, composed, and sung by Arko Pravo Mukherjee, this song has a personal and heartfelt tone that sets it apart from other romantic numbers in Bollywood. Arko’s voice, paired with a delicate acoustic arrangement, makes Dariya feel more like a quiet moment than a typical film song.

Lyrically, Dariya uses the image of a river as a way to talk about longing and resistance to change. The line “O dariya, mujhe nahi jaana uss paar” isn’t just romantic, it’s also about not wanting to move on or drift away from the person you love. That’s what gives the song its emotional weight. It’s not just about love, but about the fear of losing it. It resonated deeply with listeners when it came out, especially those who found something familiar in its stillness and simplicity.

Dariya Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, instructor Steve Luciano breaks down Dariya in a calm and clear way that matches the tone of the song. The track is played with a capo on the 1st fret, which raises the pitch slightly and gives the guitar a softer, warmer sound. The chords used in this version are very beginner-friendly and include G, Am7, C, Cadd9, Em7, and G/D. Steve walks through each one slowly, explaining the subtle differences between standard chords and their extended versions. For instance, Cadd9 is just a C chord with the added 9th note, which gives it a brighter, fuller feel. Em7 is like a regular Em but with a hint of openness that makes the transitions smoother.

The strumming pattern Steve demonstrates is meant to keep things simple and emotional. The rhythm follows the vocal phrasing more than a strict count, which makes it a great lesson for those learning how to “feel” a song rather than just play through the motions. He also gives tips on how to mute the strings slightly with your palm to make certain parts sound more intimate, especially during the verses.

What makes this lesson especially accessible is that even though the chords repeat often, Steve adds small details, like where to let a chord ring or when to use a hammer-on that make your playing feel closer to the original. He also talks about how to switch from open chords to chords like G/D smoothly, even if you’re new to them. And since this is a fingerstyle-friendly song, Steve shows a picking variation toward the end that you can use instead of strumming if you want to bring out the softer side of the track.

FAQs

Q. Can I play Dariya without a capo?

Yes, but it will sound lower in pitch than the original. Using a capo on the 1st fret brings the tone closer to the studio version and helps match Arko’s vocal range.

Q. Is this lesson suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. The chords are mostly open and easy to play. Even the extended chords like Cadd9 and Em7 are simple once Steve explains them.

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Jai Ho (Slumdog Millionaire) as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Intro Lead, Chords, Rhythm, and Backing Track and Capo Version. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

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!