Key Mapping
30-Second Quick Start
Turn on Sound
Make sure your device volume is up. Headphones recommended.
Find the Keys
Locate the E-R-T-Y-U-I-O row on your keyboard.
Press E
Press the E key. You will hear Sa — the tonic note.
Play a Scale
Press E-R-T-Y-U-I-O in sequence. You just played Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa-Dha-Ni!
No App Needed
Traditional Setup
- Download and install app
- Create account / sign up
- Configure audio settings
- Possible compatibility issues
- Takes up storage space
AI Harmonium
- Open browser, start playing
- No account required
- Works out of the box
- Compatible with all modern browsers
- Zero storage used
Setup Tips for the Best Experience
Use a Quiet Room
Background noise makes it harder to hear the nuances of each note. A quiet space helps you train your ear.
Sit Comfortably
Place your keyboard at a comfortable height. Keep your wrists relaxed, like you would for typing.
Use Headphones
Headphones give you the clearest sound and lowest latency. They also let you practice without disturbing others.
Close Other Tabs
Other browser tabs can compete for audio resources. Close unnecessary tabs for the best performance.
Learning Progression
Learn the keys in three groups. Master each group before moving to the next.
Group 1: Sa-Ma (Foundation)
Exercise: Play Sa-Re-Ga-Ma ascending, then Ma-Ga-Re-Sa descending. Repeat 10 times.
Group 2: Pa-Ni (Upper)
Exercise: Play Pa-Dha-Ni ascending, then Ni-Dha-Pa descending. Repeat 10 times.
Group 3: Full Scale
Exercise: Play the complete scale up and down. Start slow. Gradually increase speed over days.
Guided First Session
Follow these five tasks in order for your first harmonium practice session.
Play Sa (E) and hold it for 3 seconds. Listen to the tone.
Play Sa-Re-Ga (E-R-T) slowly. Pause between each note.
Play Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa (E-R-T-Y-U) ascending, then reverse.
Play the full scale Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa-Dha-Ni-Sa up and down.
Play Sa-Pa (E-U) together. This is the perfect fifth. Feel the harmony.
Readiness Checklist
- ✓ Volume is turned up and I can hear sound from my device
- ✓ I know where E, R, T, Y, U, I, O are on my keyboard
- ✓ I have a quiet space and a comfortable seating position
Troubleshooting
No sound when I press keys
Check your device volume. Make sure the browser tab is not muted. Try clicking the harmonium area first to enable audio context.
Sound is choppy or delayed
Close other browser tabs. Try a different browser (Chrome usually has the best Web Audio performance). Disable browser extensions.
Keys are not responding
Click inside the harmonium area first to give it keyboard focus. Make sure no other input field is focused.
Wrong notes are playing
Check that your keyboard layout is QWERTY. If using a different layout, use the on-screen keys instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which keyboard keys play the harmonium? +
The white keys are mapped to E (Sa), R (Re), T (Ga), Y (Ma), U (Pa), I (Dha), O (Ni). Black keys (sharps/flats) use the number row: 4, 5, 7, 9, 0.
Can I change the key mappings? +
The current mappings are optimized for the QWERTY keyboard layout. Custom key mapping support is planned for a future update.
Does it work on non-QWERTY keyboards? +
The harmonium uses physical key positions, so it works on most keyboard layouts. However, the on-screen labels show QWERTY letters. You can always click/tap the on-screen keys directly.
Can I play chords? +
Yes! Press multiple keys simultaneously to play chords, just like on a real harmonium. The Web Audio API supports polyphonic playback.
Is there any latency? +
Latency is minimal — typically under 10ms on modern browsers. The Web Audio API schedules sounds with high precision. For best results, use Chrome or Firefox with headphones.
Do I need headphones? +
Headphones are recommended for the best experience and to avoid disturbing others, but they are not required. The harmonium plays through your device speakers.
Can I use an external MIDI keyboard? +
Yes! Connect any USB or Bluetooth MIDI controller. AI Harmonium detects it automatically via the Web MIDI API. See the MIDI section on the homepage for details.