Virtual veena: play the Saraswati veena online
Play the veena, the classical string instrument of South Indian Carnatic music, in your browser. The seven swaras Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni are on the Q to U keys, with a drone and sympathetic resonance behind every note.
Choose a Saraswati, Rudra, standard or modern veena. It is a free way for beginners to practise swaras and simple raga phrases without an instrument.
How to play the veena with your computer keyboard
- Q W E R T Y U play Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni.
- Click or tap the strings to play with the mouse or on a phone.
- Follow the Raag Yaman guide to practise a raga phrase.
What you can do on the virtual veena
- Saraswati, Rudra, standard and modern veenas
- Seven swaras on your keyboard
- Drone and sympathetic string resonance
- Raag Yaman song guide, metronome and tuner
- Record your playing
- Can be played in live music rooms with friends
4 veena types to choose from
- Standard Veena: A balanced veena tone with the seven swaras on the keys Q to U.
- Saraswati Veena: The veena of Carnatic music, named after Saraswati, the goddess of learning.
- Rudra Veena: The deep, meditative veena of the Hindustani dhrupad tradition.
- Modern Veena: A brighter, contemporary take on the veena sound.
About the veena
The Saraswati veena is one of the oldest Indian instruments, associated with the goddess Saraswati and central to Carnatic music. The Rudra veena is its North Indian relative used in dhrupad.
Frequently asked questions
How do I play veena on a computer keyboard?
Press Q W E R T Y U for the swaras Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha and Ni.
How can I practise veena without a veena?
Use the virtual veena to learn where each swara sits and to practise simple phrases like Raag Yaman, then move to a real instrument.
Is the virtual veena free?
Yes. The veena is free to play in your browser with no download and no sign-up. You can record and save favourites without an account; a free sign-in adds music rooms and Google Drive backup.
Can I play the veena with friends online?
Yes. The veena can be chosen in live music rooms, so you can play along with a piano, flute or drums.