Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe Ho Nisar Piano Tutorial (Groovy Swing Feel)

Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe Ho Nisar is played in C# minor with a bluesy swing rhythm, left hand on the root and right hand on the chord, using C#m, F#m and an Am6 chord for the hook, and C#m and G# for the second verse.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Beginner · 10 min

Can't see the video? Watch it on YouTube.

What this lesson teaches

In this lesson Jason Zac of Nathaniel School of Music shows you how to play the old Bollywood classic Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe Ho Nisar on the piano. It suits beginners who know basic chords and want to learn a song with a groovy, swinging feel. The same ideas also work on guitar.

The song is in C# minor, but you can play it in any key by transposing it. The chords are easy. The real skill is mastering one swing rhythm that carries the whole song.

The swing rhythm

The groove is bluesy and swung. The setup is simple:

• Left hand plays the root note of the chord. This is the bass of the song.
• Right hand plays the chord in the swinging rhythm.

Get this pattern comfortable on C# minor first, because the same rhythm stays in place for both sections of the song.

Section 1: the main hook

The hook uses three chords:

• C# minor: C# E G#
• F# minor: F# A C#
• A minor 6th: an A minor chord (A C E) with an added F#, the sixth

The Am6 is the interesting colour in this song. Its F# links it smoothly back to the home chord.

The order of the hook is:

1. C# minor, played twice
2. F# minor
3. Back to F# minor again
4. A minor 6th
5. Back to C# minor

The filler lick

Between the sung lines there are short fillers. In the original recording they sound like a harmonium patch, so you can use a similar sound on a keyboard, or simply play them on piano. One filler runs down the notes C# B A G# F# E D# C#. This is the C# natural minor scale going down, and it lands back on the root of the song.

The whistling and orchestral interlude

After the hook comes an instrumental section. It begins with a famous whistling tune, then moves to strings, guitar and many other instruments. The whistling melody sits in E major, the relative major of C# minor, so it shares the same notes as the key.

The chords under this tune move between C# minor and G# major (G# B# D#, the V chord of C# minor), returning to C# minor. The melody is played slightly differently the first time and the second time. If you are an intermediate pianist, keep the swing rhythm going in the left hand while your right hand plays the tune. You can also whistle the melody yourself while keeping the chords on the piano.

Section 2: the second verse

The second verse sounds quite different, but it uses the same rhythm. The chords are:

1. C# minor, then G# major, then back to C# minor
2. Repeat this movement, so it happens twice, then a third time
3. On the last pass, play C# minor, F# minor, F# minor, and finish on C# minor

From there the song returns to the main hook you already learnt.

How to practise

• Start with the rhythm alone on C# minor until the swing feels natural.
• Play the hook chords slowly, saying the chord names out loud as you change.
• Practise with a singer, or sing yourself, so you hear how the melody and chords fit together.
• Add the filler lick only once the chord changes feel steady.
• Learn the second verse chords, then join both sections into the full song.

Questions about this lesson

What key is Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe Ho Nisar in on piano?

This lesson plays it in C# minor. You can play the song in any key by transposing the chords.

What is the A minor 6th chord in this song?

It is an A minor chord (A C E) with an added F#, the sixth. It appears near the end of the hook before returning to C# minor.

How do I play the swing rhythm for this song?

Play the root of each chord in the left hand and the full chord in the right hand with a bluesy, swung feel. The same rhythm runs through both the hook and the second verse.

Can I play this song on guitar?

Yes. The same rhythm and chord changes work on guitar as well as piano.

Practise it

• Swing GardenWork with straight and swung rhythm in an interactive teaching workspace.
• WoodshedKeep a practice record, set goals and work on songs with tools for looping, changing speed and changing key.
• Piano classes at Nathaniel School of MusicLive online or in Bangalore, with a teacher.
• All free music apps40 practice tools for harmony, rhythm, ear training and more.

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