--- url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/help/practice-tools/use-the-kalasudha-online-tanpura' title: 'Online tanpura drone: how to use it | KalaSudha Help' author: name: rajeevk url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/user/fce96177fd193d3a' date: '2026-10-28T14:07:35+00:00' type: website summary: 'Play a free online tanpura drone on KalaSudha. Choose Sa and register, set the first string to Pa, Ma or Ni, and adjust jawari, room and string volume.' tags: - 'Practice tools' image: 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' published: true og: site_name: KalaSudha 'image:url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' 'image:secure_url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' 'image:type': image/svg+xml 'image:alt': KalaSudha --- [Practice tools](/en-gb/help/practice-tools) # Use the KalaSudha online tanpura The KalaSudha tanpura plays a drone in your browser, free and with no account. Pick your Sa, press Play, then tune the strings and the sound as it runs. 2 min read Updated October 28, 2026 In this article [Start the drone](#section-0) [Tune the strings](#section-1) [Shape the sound](#section-2) [If this does not work](#section-3) [The page says the browser cannot play the tanpura](#section-4) [I press Play and hear nothing](#section-5) The KalaSudha tanpura plays a tanpura drone in your browser, free and with no account. Open the [online tanpura](/en-gb/tanpura), choose your Sa and press **Play**. The drone keeps going while you sing or play, and you can change the tuning, the strings and the sound as it runs. ## Start the drone 1. Go to the [tanpura page](/en-gb/tanpura). 2. Under **Tuning**, open **Sa** and pick your note. Each note shows its harmonium key and kattai number, for example "C# · Kali 1 · 1½ kattai". 3. Choose the **Register**: Lower or Higher. 4. Press **Play**. Press it again to pause. ## Tune the strings - **Fine-tune** moves Sa up or down by up to 50 cents, to match an instrument that sits between two notes. - **First string** sets the first string to Pa, Ma, Ni or Sa. Pa suits most ragas. Ragas that leave out Pa take Ma or Ni. - **Strings** sets four, five or six strings. With five or six, choose the note of the fifth and sixth strings. - **Time between plucks** sets how fast the strings are plucked, from 0.6 to 2 seconds. Not sure which first string a raga needs? Its [raga page](/en-gb/ragas) lists the notes the raga uses. ## Shape the sound - Volume sets the overall level. - Jawari sets the buzz of the strings. Turn it up for a brighter, buzzing tone. - **Room** places the drone in a dry space, a room or a hall. - String volume sets each string on its own, so you can bring one forward. ## If this does not work ### The page says the browser cannot play the tanpura Open the page in a current version of Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox. ### I press Play and hear nothing Check that your device is not muted and that Volume sits above zero. Then reload the page and press Play again. Still stuck? See [Contact us](/help/general/contact-us). Was this article helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Last updated: October 28, 2026 ## In this article [Start the drone](#section-0) [Tune the strings](#section-1) [Shape the sound](#section-2) [If this does not work](#section-3) [The page says the browser cannot play the tanpura](#section-4) [I press Play and hear nothing](#section-5) Need more help with this topic? [Contact support](/en-gb/contact) ## Related articles [ Is there a limit on KalaSudha Composer compositions? ](/en-gb/help/practice-tools/is-there-a-limit-on-kalasudha-composer-compositions) [ Write a bandish in KalaSudha Composer ](/en-gb/help/practice-tools/write-a-bandish-in-kalasudha-composer) [ Share a KalaSudha page with a friend ](/en-gb/help/practice-tools/share-a-kalasudha-page-with-a-friend) [ Print or share your notation from KalaSudha Composer ](/en-gb/help/practice-tools/print-or-share-your-notation-from-kalasudha-composer) ### Still need help? Can't find what you're looking for? Our support team is here for you. [Contact Support](/en-gb/contact) Most enquiries answered within 2-3 business days.