Virtual Santoor — Play Online
Tap the courses to play. The santoor is a Kashmiri hammered dulcimer — each course is a group of strings tuned to the same note and struck with light wooden mallets. Switch between 15 and 25 course modes, explore raga presets, and record short loops.
All notes available
💻 Keyboard: A–L lower octave · Q–P upper octave
Loop Recorder
Record up to 8 seconds, then loop it.
Not recording
✅ How to Use the Virtual Santoor
- Tap any course (horizontal bar) to strike it. Lower notes are at the top, higher at the bottom.
- Switch between 15 courses (two octaves, easier) and 25 courses (full range).
- Select a Raga to dim notes outside that scale — only highlighted courses are in the raga.
- Toggle Reverb for a warm, resonant room sound.
- Use keyboard keys shown on each course for fast playing on desktop.
- Press Record, play a melody, press Stop — then Play to loop it.
How It Works
Each course is synthesised using the Web Audio API. A short sine burst with metallic string overtones and a long natural decay mimics the hammered string resonance of a real santoor. The decay is intentionally long (~3–4 seconds) to replicate the sustain of multiple strings per course ringing together. A synthetic reverb impulse response adds the characteristic room resonance of a Kashmiri concert hall. The Raga mode dims courses outside the selected raga's scale — you can still tap them, but they are visually de-emphasised to guide improvisation within the raga.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a santoor?
The santoor is a trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer originating from Kashmir. It has 25 courses, each with 3–4 strings tuned to the same pitch. The strings are struck with light walnut mallets called mezrab. It is a central instrument in Hindustani classical music, popularised globally by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.
What is a "course"?
A course is a group of 3–4 strings all tuned to the same note, running parallel across the santoor. Striking one course sounds all its strings simultaneously, giving the instrument its characteristic rich, shimmering tone.
Why are some courses dimmed in Raga mode?
Each raga uses only specific notes from the 12-note chromatic scale. Dimmed courses are notes outside that raga's scale. You can still play them, but the dimming guides you to stay within the raga — useful for learning improvisation.
What is the difference between 15 and 25 courses?
A standard Kashmiri santoor has 25 courses covering about 3.5 octaves. The 15-course mode covers 2 octaves and is easier to navigate for beginners. Both use the same chromatic layout.
Which ragas are available?
Yaman, Bhairav, Bhairavi, Kafi, Bilawal, Khamaj, and Todi — seven of the most common Hindustani ragas, covering a range of moods from serene to melancholy to devotional.
Can I use a computer keyboard?
Yes — keys are shown on each course. A–L covers the lower octave, Q–P covers the upper octave on 15-course mode. The 25-course layout uses additional keys shown on screen.
Raga Scale Reference
| Raga | Swars | Mood | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yaman | Sa Re Ga Ma♯ Pa Dha Ni | Serene, romantic | Evening |
| Bhairav | Sa Re♭ Ga Ma Pa Dha♭ Ni | Devotional, serious | Morning |
| Bhairavi | Sa Re♭ Ga♭ Ma Pa Dha♭ Ni♭ | Melancholy, tender | Morning |
| Kafi | Sa Re Ga♭ Ma Pa Dha Ni♭ | Romantic, joyful | Afternoon |
| Bilawal | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni | Bright, cheerful | Morning |
| Khamaj | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni♭ | Romantic, light | Evening |
| Todi | Sa Re♭ Ga♭ Ma♯ Pa Dha♭ Ni | Serious, profound | Midday |
References & Notes
- Standard Kashmiri santoor: 25 courses, C3–C6 range
- Raga scales based on standard Hindustani notation (C = Sa)
- Audio synthesis via Web Audio API — no sound files required
- Popularised globally by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma (1938–2022)
This is a simulation tool for learning and entertainment.