The easiest Bollywood songs to start on guitar use just 3–4 open chords (G, C, D, Em, Am) and a simple down-up strumming pattern. Songs like ‘Kabira,’ ‘Tum Hi Ho,’ ‘Ilahi,’ and ‘Zara Zara’ are beginner-friendly favorites because the chord progressions repeat throughout the whole song, so once you learn the pattern, you can play most of the track.
Learning guitar on Western method books alone can feel disconnected if the music you actually grew up on is Bollywood. The good news: a huge number of Bollywood songs are built on the exact same beginner chord shapes taught in week one of any guitar course. Here are 15 to work through, roughly ordered from easiest to more challenging.
Beginner Tier (Learn These First)
- 1. “Tum Hi Ho” — Arijit Singh (Aashiqui 2). Chords: Am, G, F, Em. Slow tempo, simple fingerstyle or strumming pattern. One of the most requested first songs for a reason — it sounds full even played simply.
- 2. “Kabira” — Tochi Raina, Rekha Bhardwaj (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani). Chords: G, D, Em, C. A gentle strumming pattern that repeats through verse and chorus, making it ideal for practicing chord transitions without constant change-ups.
- 3. “Ilahi” — Arijit Singh (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani). Chords: G, Em, C, D. Upbeat and rhythmic, great for practicing a steady down-down-up-up-down-up strumming pattern.
- 4. “Zara Zara” — Bombay Jayashri (Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein). Chords: Am, G, F, E. Slower tempo, works well for practicing clean chord changes and fingerpicking basics.
- 5. “Tera Ban Jaunga” — Akhil Sachdeva, Tulsi Kumar (Kabir Singh). Chords: C, G, Am, F. A modern favorite with a straightforward capo-friendly progression.
- 6. “Raabta” — Arijit Singh (Agent Vinod). Chords: Am, F, C, G. Repetitive progression across the whole song — once you’ve got the loop, you’ve got the song.
Intermediate Beginner Tier
- 7. “Tum Se Hi” — Mohit Chauhan (Jab We Met). Chords: G, Em, C, D with a fingerstyle pattern option once you’re comfortable strumming.
- 8. “Phir Le Aya Dil” — Arijit Singh (Barfi). Chords: Am, G, F, C, E. Slightly more chord variety — good next step after mastering the beginner tier.
- 9. “Channa Mereya” — Arijit Singh (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil). Chords: Am, F, C, G, Dm. A great song for practicing dynamics — soft verses building to a fuller chorus.
- 10. “Agar Tum Saath Ho” — Alka Yagnik, Arijit Singh (Tamasha). Chords: G, Em, C, D, Am. A duet-style song that’s satisfying to play start to finish once the chord changes feel natural.
- 11. “Pee Loon” — Mohit Chauhan (Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai). Chords: C, G, Am, F. Smooth chord flow, good for building strumming stamina on a full song.
- 12. “Kesariya” — Arijit Singh (Brahmastra). Chords: G, D, Em, C. A recent favorite among younger students, with a modern pop-Bollywood strumming feel.
Slightly More Challenging (Good Month 2–3 Goals)
- 13. “Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage” — Arijit Singh (Kabir Singh). Chords: C, Am, F, G with some higher fret work in the melody line.
- 14. “Hasi Ban Gaye” — Ami Mishra (Hamari Adhuri Kahani). Chords: Em, C, G, D, Am. More chord changes packed closer together — a good test of transition speed.
- 15. “Bulleya” — Amit Mishra, Shilpa Rao (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil). Chords: Dm, Bb, F, C. Introduces a minor-key feel that’s a step up from the major-key beginner songs above.
How to Actually Learn These as a True Beginner
- Start with just the chorus. You don’t need to learn a full song on day one. Nail the chorus of “Kabira” or “Tum Hi Ho” first — it’s the most repeated, most recognizable part, and it’ll keep you motivated.
- Slow the strumming pattern down before speeding it up. Play it at half speed until your hand knows the pattern without thinking, then bring it up to tempo.
- Practice chord transitions separately from strumming. Isolate the two hardest chord changes in the song (usually where a finger has to move across strings) and drill just that transition for a few minutes before playing the whole thing.
- Use a capo instead of forcing new chord shapes. Many Bollywood songs are easier to play using a capo with basic open chords rather than learning unfamiliar barre chord positions right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest Bollywood song to learn on guitar for a complete beginner?
“Tum Hi Ho” and “Kabira” are usually the easiest starting points — both use 3–4 open chords in a repeating pattern with a slow-to-moderate tempo.
Do I need to know music theory to play Bollywood songs on guitar?
No. Most beginner Bollywood songs only require knowing a handful of open chord shapes and a basic strumming pattern — theory becomes useful later for improvising or transposing keys.
Can I learn Bollywood guitar songs without knowing Hindi?
Yes — the chords and strumming pattern don’t depend on understanding the lyrics, though knowing the words helps with timing and phrasing.
How long does it take to play a full Bollywood song on guitar as a beginner?
With focused daily practice, most beginners can play a full simple song within 4–6 weeks of starting guitar.
What guitar is best for playing Bollywood songs — acoustic or electric?
Acoustic is the more common and versatile choice for Bollywood songs, since most were originally arranged with acoustic or acoustic-electric guitar in mind.
Want a teacher who’ll actually walk you through these song by song — the real strumming pattern, the real chord voicings, not just tab sheets? Musician Teacher teaches Bollywood and Western guitar together, 1:1, with our Founder. Book a trial lesson and pick your first song.
