Why this site exists
The tanpura's steady drone offers a reference point for listening, singing, and daily riyaz. Tanpura.online was created to make that reference easy to reach from a web browser—without installing an app or creating an account.
Whether you're exploring a comfortable Sa, practising Sargam, or returning to a familiar warm drone, our aim is to keep the experience simple, responsive, and focused on music.
What you can do here
- Play a free tanpura. Choose your Sa, the Pa or Ma first-string pattern, and recorded electronic or acoustic sound.
- Adjust your listening experience. Use volume and available tone options to suit your practice environment.
- Learn alongside the player. Read practical articles on the tanpura instrument, tuning, Sapta Swaras, and Shruti.
Honest about the sound
Our player uses licensed recordings rather than claiming to create a separate live physical instrument for every note. The selected recordings are looped and can be pitch-shifted. Changing playback rate also changes pluck pace and timbre, so results may differ from an acoustic tanpura in the room.
We credit the artists and explain our processing choices on the Sound Credits page.
Who maintains Tanpura.online?
Advay Varma maintains Tanpura.online as an independent music practice and learning project. It is not an official website of a music school, an instrument manufacturer, or any artist whose material is credited here.
Suggestions, factual corrections, technical feedback, and attribution questions are welcome. Please visit Contact or email [email protected].