Web Harmonium

Tutorial: Learn to Play

This step-by-step guide will help you get started with Web Harmonium. In about 10 minutes, you'll learn how to play notes, scales, and use the practice tools. No prior musical experience needed!

1

Enable Audio

Go to the homepage and click the "Start Playing" button. This enables the Web Audio API in your browser. You only need to do this once per session.

2

Play Your First Note

Press the Z key on your keyboard. You should hear a harmonium note — this is Sa (C), the root note. Try pressing and holding the key to sustain it, then release to stop.

3

Play a Scale (Aaroh)

Play the ascending Sargam scale using these keys in order: Z (Sa), X (Re), C (Ga), V (Ma), B (Pa), N (Dha), M (Ni), Q (Sa'). Try to play each note evenly.

4

Descending Scale (Avroh)

Now play descending: Q (Sa'), M (Ni), N (Dha), B (Pa), V (Ma), C (Ga), X (Re), Z (Sa). Practice going up and down until it feels natural.

5

Use the Metronome

Click the "Metronome" button in the control panel to enable it. Start at 60 BPM and try to play one note per beat. Gradually increase the tempo as you get comfortable.

6

Turn On the Tanpura

Click the "Tanpura" button to enable the drone. This provides a continuous Sa-Pa-Sa reference tone that helps you stay in tune. Professional musicians always practice with a drone.

7

Try Black Keys

The black keys (S, D, G, H, J) play the "komal" (flat) and "tivra" (sharp) variants. Try pressing S (komal Re), D (komal Ga), G (tivra Ma), H (komal Dha), J (komal Ni).

8

Record Yourself

Click the "Record" button, play a scale or melody, then click "Stop". Click "Play" to hear your recording back. This is a great way to check your timing and accuracy.

9

Adjust Sound

Experiment with the controls: adjust Volume and Reverb for different room sounds, change Octave to play higher or lower, and use Transpose to shift pitch for different ragas.

10

Practice Daily

Consistency is key! Start with 15 minutes daily. Practice Aaroh/Avroh (ascending/descending scales), then try simple Alankars (patterns). Visit the Sargam Guide for exercises.

Ready to play?

Head back to the homepage to start practicing with everything you've learned!

Start Playing