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Pashmina – Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on one of the most delicately composed love songs in Hindi cinema — Pashmina by Amit Trivedi, from the 2016 film Fitoor. The song is a soft, poetic track that floats between romance and melancholy, wrapped in layers of orchestration and Amit Trivedi's unique singing style. The film itself was an adaptation of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, and Pashmina works as a musical expression of the complex emotions in the story.

The word Pashmina refers to an extremely fine wool from Kashmir, and in the song, it becomes a metaphor for love — soft, rich, intricate, and fragile. The lyrics, written by Swanand Kirkire, are as layered as the melody, bringing out that sense of a love that can’t be held too tightly, or it will slip away. The song has been compared by some to western tracks like California by Phantom Planet, but Pashmina stands on its own because of the way it mixes classical Indian textures with modern songwriting.

Pashmina – Guitar Lesson

This is an easy acoustic version of Pashmina, taught by Mike Walker, with the goal of helping beginner players fall in love with the guitar just as much as they love the song. The version is played with a capo on the 5th fret, which raises the pitch to match the original recording, while keeping the chord shapes extremely simple and familiar.

The chords used are Am, D, Em, F, C, and G — all open chords, which means if you know your basics, you’ll be able to play this version comfortably. Mike goes over every chord change and voicing with clear instructions, making this lesson feel very hands-on.

The progression flows in a way that lets the emotional content of the song shine through. The use of Am and Em, both minor chords, gives the song a slightly wistful tone, while G and C open up the resolution at the right moments.

The chord changes follow the original mood of the track, but are simplified to make it more accessible. Even the F chord, which can be tricky for beginners, is demonstrated with alternate fingerings and techniques so that anyone can play it with enough practice.

The strumming pattern is relaxed and meant to match the fluid movement of the melody. There’s no pressure to play it fast — in fact, slowing it down helps bring out the beauty of the song. Mike also talks about how to let your fingers move smoothly between chords and how to make the transitions sound clean without breaking the rhythm. You’ll also learn how to use dynamics — like playing softer or louder — to really bring out the emotion in different sections of the song.

FAQs

Q. Is this lesson suitable for absolute beginners?

Yes, this version is made especially for beginners. If you know your basic open chords and can change between them slowly, you’ll be able to follow along easily.

Q. What tuning is used in this version of Pashmina?

This song is played in standard tuning with a capo on the 5th fret to match the original key.

In this video lesson J.J. Pattishall teaches how to play the song Wake Me Up When September Ends as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Song Arrangement, Rhythm, Song Demo and Solo Lesson. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

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. 

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 J.J. Pattishall teaches how to play the song Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Rhythm, Song Arrangement and Song Demo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!