In this guide
The harmonium has 12 unique notes per octave — 7 natural (white keys) and 5 modified (black keys). In Indian classical music, these are called Sargam notes, named after the first four syllables: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma.
Understanding the note names and their positions is the single most important step for any harmonium beginner. This reference chart gives you everything you need.
The 7 Natural Notes (Shuddh Swar)
These are the white keys on the harmonium — the foundation of all Indian melodies.
Shadja · C
Shuddh Rishabh · D
Shuddh Gandhar · E
Shuddh Madhyam · F
Pancham · G
Shuddh Dhaivat · A
Shuddh Nishad · B
Taar Shadja · C (High)
5 Modified Notes (Vikrit Swar)
These are the black keys. In Indian music they're called Komal (flat, ♭) or Tivra (sharp, #). Only Re, Ga, Dha, and Ni have komal versions; only Ma has a tivra version.
Komal Rishabh · C# / D♭
Komal Gandhar · D# / E♭
Tivra Madhyam · F# / G♭
Komal Dhaivat · G# / A♭
Komal Nishad · A# / B♭
Full Note Chart — All 13 Notes
Visual Keyboard Layout
This diagram shows one octave of the harmonium. White keys = natural notes (Shuddh), black keys = modified notes (Vikrit).
Understanding Octaves
A harmonium typically has 3 to 4 octaves. Each octave contains the same 12 notes — just at a different pitch (frequency). The lowest Sa is called Mandra Saptak (lower octave), the middle is Madhya Saptak, and the upper is Taar Saptak.
Mandra Saptak
Lower octave — deep, resonant tones
Written: below note
Madhya Saptak
Middle octave — the default playing range
Written: no dot
Taar Saptak
Upper octave — bright, high-pitched tones
Written: dot above note
Web Harmonium lets you switch octaves using the Transpose control, or by pressing Z / X to shift down/up by a semitone.
Which Notes to Learn First?
As a beginner, start with just the 7 natural notes — Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni — played in ascending and descending order. This is called the Alankar (scale exercise) and is the bedrock of all Indian music training.
Recommended Learning Order
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa'
Ascending scale — white keys only
Descending scale: Sa' Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa
Reverse the scale smoothly
Add Komal Re and Komal Ga
First black keys — minor scale patterns
Learn Raga Yaman
All 7 notes + Tivra Ma — most popular beginners' raga
Common Beginner Mistakes
Skipping Sargam — using only Western note names
Fix: Indian music teachers, YouTube tutorials, and songbooks all use Sargam. Learn Sa Re Ga from day one so everything you find online makes sense.
Playing too fast before the notes are memorised
Fix: Speed without accuracy builds bad muscle memory. Play slowly enough that every note is intentional and correct.
Ignoring Komal (flat) notes until "later"
Fix: Komal Re and Komal Ga are used in many popular ragas including Bhairav and Kafi. Introduce them in week 3 at the latest.
Confusing Ma (natural) and Ma# (tivra)
Fix: Tivra Ma is the only note that has a sharp version in Indian music. Remember: Ma key = F, Ma# key = T.
Practice the notes now
Open Web Harmonium — Free
Try every note from this chart instantly in your browser. Sargam labels included.
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