Virtual Tanpura — Drone Online
Select your key, then pluck the strings manually or enable auto-drone for continuous accompaniment during raga practice, singing, or meditation.
Select Key (Sa)
Tuning
✅ How to use this tool
- Select your key (Sa) from the pills above — choose what feels comfortable for your voice.
- Pick a tuning preset — Pa tuning (Sa Pa Sa Sa) is most common; Ni tuning is used for specific ragas.
- Tap any of the 4 strings to pluck individually.
- Press Start Auto-Drone to loop all strings continuously — adjust Speed and Volume.
- Press Stop whenever you want to pause the drone.
Common Questions About Tanpura
What is a tanpura used for?
The tanpura provides a continuous harmonic drone backdrop for Indian classical music. It establishes the tonic (Sa) and helps singers and instrumentalists stay in tune throughout a raga performance.
What key should I choose?
Choose the key that matches your comfortable singing range. Male vocalists often use C or D; female vocalists often use G or A. Instrumentalists match the tuning of their instrument.
What is Pa tuning vs Ni tuning?
Pa tuning (Sa Pa Sa Sa) is the standard setup and works for most ragas. Ni tuning (Sa Ni Sa Sa) replaces the Pa string with the Ni (7th degree) and is used for ragas that emphasise Ni, like Yaman or Bhairav.
How many strings does a tanpura have?
A standard tanpura has 4 strings. They are played in sequence from left to right — Pancham (Pa), two Shadja (Sa), and a bass Shadja (Sa lower octave) — creating a rich, overtone-laden drone.
Common Tanpura Tunings
| Tuning | String 1 | String 2 | String 3 | String 4 | Used For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pa | Pa | Sa (high) | Sa (high) | Sa (low) | Most ragas |
| Ni | Ni | Sa (high) | Sa (high) | Sa (low) | Yaman, Bhairav |
| Ma | Ma | Sa (high) | Sa (high) | Sa (low) | Ragas with Ma |
| Sa | Sa (high) | Sa (high) | Sa (high) | Sa (low) | Pure Sa drone |
References & Notes
- Standard tanpura string order: Pa / Sa / Sa / Sa (low) in Pa tuning
- Frequencies calculated from equal temperament based on selected key
- Audio synthesised via Web Audio API with overtone-rich string simulation
This is a simulation tool for learning and practice. Actual tanpura tone varies by instrument and playing technique.