Vishal Das
Hindustani Vocal Faculty
Spardha School of Music
best old bollywood songs to practice if you’re learning singing
By Spardha Learnings |
“Yeh shaam mastani, madhosh kiye jaaye…”
Turn up the nostalgia and let the rhythm take you back! These old bollywood hits aren’t just songs, they’re moods, memories, and moments that never fade.
The old bollywood classic hits from the 1950s to 1980s aren't just nostalgic favorites. They're powerful learning tools. And all old bollywood songs teach us something valuable, like breath control, emotion, pronunciation, and Indian classical techniques.
Why are the best old bollywood songs so effective for practice? Because all these famous old bollywood songs rely on pure vocal talent, not digital effects, due to the technological limitations of the time. The singers of that golden era had to deliver flawless performances with real technical skill.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced vocalist, these timeless classics offer something for everyone. This blog will guide you through the best old bollywood songs to practice, breaking down what makes each one special for voice training.
Let's explore some of the best old bollywood songs that can transform your singing journey.
Why Old bollywood Songs Are Perfect for Learning
The golden age of bollywood music offers more than just beautiful melodies. These songs are complete vocal training packages. They blend traditional Indian classical music with cinematic storytelling in ways modern productions rarely do.
Here's what makes these songs special:
Classical Foundation: Most old bollywood songs are rooted in Hindustani ragas like Yaman, Bhairavi, Kafi, and Bhimpalasi. This gives beginner singers a structured melodic framework to build the technique.
Clear Diction: The Hindi and Urdu pronunciation in these songs is crisp and authentic. You'll develop better linguistic clarity and vocal flexibility by practicing proper enunciation.
Natural Phrasing: Legendary singers like Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar demonstrated organic breathing techniques. They mastered seamless breath control and legato techniques (called "meend" in Indian classical music). Their sound was pure without any heavy compression, reverb, or auto-tune.
Emotional Depth: Songs from this era tell stories. Each one conveys a character's feelings, thoughts, or situation. This teaches you how to express emotions through your voice, what Indian classical music calls "Rasa Bhava."
For students of Hindustani classical music, these songs serve as accessible entry points. They help you understand complex ragas and talas within a popular music context.
Understanding Voice Types and Song Selection
Not all songs suit every voice. Choosing the right songs from the best old bollywood songs collection depends on your vocal range and texture.
Match songs to your voice type:
- Baritone/Bass: Choose lower-pitched songs like Mohammed Rafi's "Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho" or Mukesh's "Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe." These sit comfortably in deeper registers.
- Tenor: Kishore Kumar's mid-range classics work perfectly. Try "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani" or "Roop Tera Mastana."
- Soprano: Lata Mangeshkar's high-pitched compositions are ideal. Start with "Lag Jaa Gale" or "Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha."
- Alto: Explore Asha Bhosle's versatile pieces or Geeta Dutt's soulful songs for appropriate vocal challenges.
How to get started: Use a tanpura or harmonium to identify your comfortable pitch range. Then select the best old bollywood songs that sit naturally in your tessitura. Master comfortable songs first before attempting more challenging pieces.
Mohammed Rafi's Essential Songs for Male Vocalists
Mohammed Rafi's catalog contains some of the best old bollywood songs for developing male vocal technique. His mastery of breath control, emotional depth, and classical embellishment makes his songs excellent training material.
Top Rafi songs for practice:
- "Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho" – Perfect for learning smooth legato phrasing. This song teaches you how to sustain notes with consistent tone quality.
- "Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Rang Hain" – Develops control over gentle vibrato and romantic expression. The melody flows naturally, making it ideal for intermediate singers.
- "Baharon Phool Barsao" – Teaches joyful articulation and dynamic variation. The song's celebratory mood requires precise control over volume changes.
- "Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya" – Excellent for breath management in long phrases. The philosophical depth requires sustained emotional delivery.
- "Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai" – Combines playful rhythm with technical precision. You'll learn to balance fun expression with accurate pitch.
These best old bollywood songs by Rafi showcase diverse emotional landscapes. They maintain classical discipline while exploring different moods and tempos. Every serious male vocalist should study these pieces.
Lata Mangeshkar's Masterpieces for Female Singers
Lata Mangeshkar's voice defined feminine vocal excellence in Indian cinema. Her songs are among the best old bollywood songs for female vocalists wanting to master subtle ornamentation, sustained high notes, and precise pitch control.
Essential Lata songs for training:
- "Lag Jaa Gale" – The most practiced song for learning precise note transitions. The famous Pa-Ga-Re-Ga pattern teaches accuracy in pure notes (shuddha swara). Composed in Raag Pahadi by Madan Mohan, this song starts from the note Ma of any scale. This teaches you coordination between different notes while avoiding confusion between Shadaj and Madhyam.
- "Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha" – Develops smooth voice modulation and romantic expression. Set in Raag Adana, this song helps you control voice intensity at higher octaves while maintaining subtlety.
- "Tum Na Jaane Kis Jahan Mein" – Teaches harkat (ornamental rapid flourishes) and ghazal-style delivery. Set in Dadra taal, it requires absolute melancholic expression.
- "Jaane Kya Baat Hai" – Excellent for practicing aakar (vowel sounds), meend (gliding between notes), and note fluctuations. The song moves between smooth phrases and quick note changes.
These famous old bollywood songs by Lata emphasize control over high-frequency resonance. They're essential for developing head voice, a crucial skill for classical crossover singing.
Kishore Kumar's Versatile Classics
Kishore Kumar's songs are among the most enjoyable best old bollywood songs to practice. His spontaneous and energetic style makes learning fun. His repertoire covers romantic ballads, light-hearted tunes, and philosophical pieces.
Must-practice Kishore songs:
- "O Mere Dil Ke Chain" – Smooth romantic phrasing perfect for breath control. The gentle melody helps you develop sustained tone.
- "Roop Tera Mastana" – Teaches sustained notes and emotional intensity. The song builds gradually, requiring dynamic control.
- "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani" – Develops cheerful articulation and rhythmic precision. The upbeat tempo keeps you energized while practicing technique.
- "Aanewala Pal Janewala Hai" – Excellent for philosophical depth and controlled dynamics. The reflective mood requires subtle emotional expression.
- "Yeh Sham Mastani" – Combines technical precision with expressive freedom. This song teaches you to balance accuracy with natural spontaneity.
These best old bollywood songs by Kishore show how to balance technical skill with natural expression. They're accessible yet challenging, and perfect for intermediate singers looking to add personality to their technique.
Semi-Classical and Raga-Based Songs for Technique
Many best old bollywood songs directly originate from classical ragas. These offer structured frameworks for fundamental vocal development.
Raga-based practice recommendations:
- Raag Yaman: Songs in this raga teach evening serenity and uses komal Ni (flattened seventh note). The peaceful mood helps you develop smooth transitions.
- Raag Bhairavi: Ideal for learning ornamental murkis and emotional depth. This raga appears in many devotional and romantic songs.
- Raag Kafi: Folk-influenced pieces that develop natural phrasing. The earthy quality makes these songs relatable and expressive.
- Raag Pahadi: Light, accessible melodies perfect for beginners. These songs introduce classical concepts without overwhelming complexity.
Practicing these old bollywood songs helps you understand swara (note) relationships. You'll improve pitch accuracy by internalizing raga structures. Many music educators use these famous old bollywood songs to introduce classical concepts to students who find pure classical music intimidating.
Remember: These ragas might seem easy to sing initially, but true mastery takes years of practice, experimentation, and discipline.
Romantic Ballads for Emotional Expression
Some of the most cherished best old bollywood songs fall under the romantic category. These teach singers how to convey tenderness and vulnerability through their voice.
Recommended romantic practice songs:
- "Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe" (Mukesh) – Simple melody with profound emotional depth. Perfect for beginners learning to connect feeling with technique.
- "Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein" (Mukesh/Lata) – Teaches duet blending and shared phrasing. You'll learn how to harmonize and complement another voice.
- "Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai" (Lata/Mukesh) – Develops harmonic awareness in duets. The interplay between male and female voices creates beautiful musical conversation.
- "Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya" (Lata) – Bold, confident delivery with classical foundations. This song requires strong vocal presence and fearless expression.
These best old bollywood songs emphasize voice modulation and microtonal note shifting (sruti). You'll learn to sustain emotional aesthetics through long phrases, an essential skill for any serious vocalist.
Devotional Songs for Breath and Tone Control
Devotional and philosophical songs among the best old bollywood songs teach you exceptional tone control and resonance with sincerity.
Key devotional practice pieces:
- "Ek Din Bik Jayega Mati Ke Mol" (Mukesh) – Philosophical depth with spiritual narrative. Based on the Advait principle that "soul and supersoul are one," this song requires sustained breath control and deep emotional connection.
Bhajan-style compositions by Mukesh and Mahendra Kapoor emphasize linguistic clarity and sincere emotion. These songs develop devotional expression without intellectual interference.
These old bollywood songs strengthen core vocal discipline. They develop your ability to convey spiritual emotion purely through sound quality and phrasing.
Practice Techniques with Old bollywood Songs
To maximize learning from the best old bollywood songs, follow these structured practice methods.
Step-by-step practice approach:
- Alaap Practice: Begin with note-by-note humming before adding lyrics. Use Sa-Re-Ga patterns to familiarize yourself with the melody.
- Shruti Fixing: Use a tanpura or harmonium to establish proper pitch reference. This trains your ear to recognize accurate tuning.
- Phrase Segmentation: Break songs into small sections. Master each section completely before combining them. This prevents sloppy transitions.
- Ornamentation Study: Carefully observe and replicate murkis (grace notes), meends (glides), and gamaks (oscillations) from original recordings. These embellishments give songs their character.
- Recording Analysis: Record your practice sessions. Listen back to identify pitch accuracy issues and tonal quality problems. Be honest with yourself about what needs improvement.
- Daily routine: Spend at least thirty minutes on vocal exercises before attempting full songs. When practicing these best old bollywood songs, focus on one song per week rather than superficially covering many songs. Deep familiarity produces better results than scattered practice.
Recommended Song List with Learning Benefits
Here's a curated selection from the top 50 old songs bollywood repertoire, organized by learning objective:
This is just a sample of the best old bollywood songs available for practice. A complete list of the top 50 old songs bollywood produced would include works by Manna Dey, Hemant Kumar, Talat Mahmood, Asha Bhosle, and Geeta Dutt. Each artist presents unique vocal challenges worth exploring.
Conclusion
The best old bollywood songs remain timeless teaching tools for vocalists seeking technical excellence, emotional expressiveness, and cultural authenticity. By carefully practicing these famous old bollywood songs, from Mohammed Rafi's emotional depth to Lata Mangeshkar's pristine highs and Kishore Kumar's playful versatility, singers build a foundation that connects classical discipline with popular appeal.
Whether you're a beginner learning pitch control basics with "Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe" or an advanced student mastering the complex harkat of "Lag Jaa Gale," these best old bollywood songs provide systematic paths to vocal excellence.
Their continuing relevance in music education proves that authentic artistry transcends time, technology, and trends. The vocal heritage of the golden age will continue inspiring artists for generations to come. Start your journey with these best old bollywood songs today, and discover how the classics can transform your voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are old bollywood songs often recommended for singing practice?
A: Old bollywood songs, particularly from the Golden Era (1940s-1970s), feature rich melodic structures, clear enunciation, and emphasis on classical Indian ragas. They often have slower tempos that make them excellent for developing breath control, pitch accuracy, musical phrasing, and vocal expressiveness. Unlike modern productions, they don't rely on complex vocal acrobatics or heavy digital processing.
Q: What qualities should I look for in an old bollywood song for practice?
A: Look for songs with clear, sustained notes, moderate tempo, well-defined melodic lines, and lyrical quality that allows emotional expression. Songs based on specific ragas are especially beneficial for understanding melodic movement and ornamentation. Avoid songs with very fast taans (rapid vocal runs) or extreme high/low notes until you've built a solid foundation.
Q: How should I practice these songs effectively?
A: Follow this approach: Listen Actively – Study the original recording multiple times Slow Practice – Begin at half speed to build accuracy Break It Down – Master small sections before combining them Use Karaoke/Backing Tracks – Practice with instrumental versions Record Yourself – Identify areas needing improvement Focus on Expression – Don't just hit notes—convey emotion
Q: Which old Hindi song is the most popular?
A: Many songs are iconic with their original singer: Female Voices: "Aaja Re Pardesi" (Madhumati), "Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum" (Silsila), "Piya Tose" (Guide), or any Lata Mangeshkar/Asha Bhosle classic. Male Voices: "Tere Mere Sapne" (Guide), "Chingari Koi Bhadke" (Amar Prem), "Dil Tera Deewana" (Dil Tera Deewana), "Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se" (Ajnabee), or any Mohammed Rafi/Kishore Kumar classic.
Q: Where can I find good quality karaoke tracks or instrumental versions for practice?
A: YouTube offers vast resources for karaoke tracks. Simply search for "[Song Name] karaoke" or "[Song Name] instrumental." Many dedicated karaoke channels offer high-quality versions. Some music apps and websites also provide instrumental tracks for purchase or streaming.