White and black keys around C4
Use E R T Y U I O P for C D E F G A B and the upper C. The black keys in this octave are 4 = C♯, 5 = D♯, 7 = F♯, 8 = G♯ and 9 = A♯. Q is the lower A, not C.
Lower and upper notes
Below C4, S = F3, A = F♯3, the backtick key = G3, 1 = G♯3, Q = A3, 2 = A♯3 and W = B3. Above P = C5, minus = C♯5, [ = D5, equals = D♯5, ] = E5, backslash = F5, apostrophe = F♯5 and semicolon = G5.
Match a GitHub or video tutorial
Choose Original tutorial layout with octave 4 and transpose 0. If the teacher changes transpose, match that setting too. This independent site follows Rajaraman Iyer’s key bindings but uses its own synthesised sound. The Previous site layout option preserves our earlier Q = C mapping.
Sa and transpose do different jobs
Changing Sa updates Sargam, the drone and guided phrase targets. It does not change a laptop key’s fixed pitch. Transpose shifts the sounding pitch of every played key; note labels and downloadable phrase charts reflect that change.
Keep your song keys
Open My song keys in the player. Capture a short phrase or type keys separated by spaces. Add :2 to hold a note for two beats and _ for a rest. Download phrase PNG saves keys, Sargam, timing and a QR code for the same practice settings.
Beginner practice
- With Original tutorial layout, play E R T R E for Sa Re Ga Re Sa at Sa = C.
- Play E U P for Sa–Pa–upper Sa, then check the black key 4 between E and R.
- Open Songs for a guided tune, or capture your own phrase and download its chart.
Common mistakes
- Holding a browser shortcut modifier while playing.
- Expecting the bindings to transpose when Sa changes.
- Trying wide chords before learning the first seven white-key bindings.
Sources and editorial note
This page was prepared from the references below and checked against the interactive tools. Instrument designs and teaching lineages vary; corrections with a source are welcome.
Editorial and interactive check completed · Specialist teacher review not recorded · Updated 25 August 2026