Indian classical and devotional singing is practiced against a drone: the tanpura or shruti box holds Sa so you can tune every swara to it. This page gives you that reference in one tap. It opens the tone generator on C♯ (138.6 Hz), the classic male scale, with a bright, reed-like tone that plays for as long as you need.
To be clear: this is an electronic Sa drone, not a recorded tanpura with Pa and jawari; for Sa and Pa together, see below.
How to use it
- Press Play with the volume low, then raise it until the drone sits just under your voice.
- Choose your scale with Note and Octave: many male voices use C to D♯, many female voices G to A♯.
- Prefer a softer sound? Change the Waveform to Triangle or Sine.
- Sing Sa and hold it until the beating against the drone disappears, then move on to Re, Ga and Pa.
Scale names and adding Pa
Harmonium players name scales by key: white 1 is C, black 1 (kali 1) is C♯, white 2 is D, and so on. To add Pa, open this page in a second tab, set it to the fifth of your Sa (G♯ for a C♯ Sa) and lower its volume: the two tabs play together like a simple tanpura. Check how steady your Sa is with the voice tuner, and find a comfortable scale with the vocal range test.
Tips
- For long riyaz sessions with headphones, use Sine or Triangle at a low volume.
- Start each session by humming Sa for a minute before opening your voice.
- Pick the scale where both lower Pa and upper Sa feel easy, not the highest you can reach.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a real tanpura?
No. It is a synthesized Sa drone: steady and exactly in tune, which is what shruti practice needs, but without the Pa string and the buzzing jawari of a real tanpura.
Which scale should I choose?
The one where Sa feels relaxed and the upper Sa is reachable. Many men sing between C and D♯ and many women between G and A♯.
How do I set the drone to A♯ or another scale?
Pick the note and octave, or type the frequency: A♯ (kali 5), common for female voices, is about 233 Hz.
Do I need to download an app?
No. It runs in the browser on any phone or computer, and you can add it to your home screen.