Virtual Flute & Bansuri Fingering Chart

Flute Scale / Key (Sa) 30" concert

Hindustani Concert Flute (Hariprasad Chaurasia style)

Holes

Hand

Raag

Tuning

Acoustic Active Note Stage

Tap a swara below — filled holes are closed. Standard Hindustani root Sa at 3-hole closure.

Closed Half Open

Acoustic HUD Monitor

329.6 Hz

Sa E4

सा

Upper 3 holes closed = Sa

Madhya Saptak Normal Breath

Sargam & Western Swara Matrix

Click any note to switch the visualizer and hear the tone.

Mandra Saptak (Lower)

Madhya Saptak (Middle)

Taar Saptak (Higher)

Alankar & Palte Practice Trainer

Auto-animate fingerings through classic Indian flute exercises.

Loop Ready

Select Exercise Pattern

Sargam phrase

Tempo 80 BPM

Acoustic Drone & Rhythm

Tanpura loops with metronome click and practice tools.

Live Audio

Tanpura Drone Tuning

Drone Volume 65%

Metronome BPM 100 BPM

Bansuri Masterclass Digest

Core foundational habits from classical bamboo flute maestros.

1. Embouchure & Lip Angle

Rest the edge of the blow hole against the lower lip margin, covering roughly 25% to 30% of the hole. Form a relaxed "p" mouth shape and direct a smooth, focused air ribbon across the sharp far edge of the embouchure rather than blowing into it.

2. Flat Finger Pads (Meend)

Unlike Western flutes or recorders, a Bansuri is played using the fleshy flat pads of the middle phalanx (finger pads) rather than curved fingertips. This allows seamless airtight sealing and smooth microtonal finger sliding for meend (glissando).

3. Half-Hole Komal Notes

Komal Re, Komal Ga, Komal Dha, and Shuddha Ma are created by precisely uncovering 50% of the respective hole. Roll the finger pad slightly or tilt the flute outward rather than lifting your entire finger away.

4. Taar Saptak Register

Higher octave notes are produced by increasing the velocity of the air stream and slightly narrowing your lip aperture, not by blowing harder with force. Venting Hole 1 slightly helps stabilize upper Taar Sa.

Full Scale Fingering Reference Matrix

Complete finger charts for all notes on the selected flute scale. Click any row to preview sound and light up the flute visualizer.

Swara (Sargam)	Western Pitch	Saptak (Octave)	Frequency (Hz)	Hole 1	Hole 2	Hole 3	Hole 4	Hole 5	Hole 6	Hole 7	Hole 8	Breath / Venting	Action

Frequently Asked Questions about Bansuri Fingering

Why does closing 3 holes produce Sa on a Bansuri?

In the Indian classical tradition, the tonic (Sa) of a transverse bansuri is standardly defined when the top 3 holes (Left Hand) are closed. Closing all 6 holes produces Mandra Pa (the lower fifth), allowing a flutist to easily descend into the Mandra saptak (Pa, Dha, Ni) and ascend into Taar saptak without switching flutes.

What is the best Bansuri for a complete beginner?

A C Medium flute (approx. 19 inches / 48 cm) is widely considered the best starter bansuri. It requires comfortable finger stretching, moderate breath capacity, and matches standard Western C tuning, making it easy to play along with keyboards and guitar.

Why do concert masters like Hariprasad Chaurasia play E Bass flutes?

The E Bass bansuri (~30 inches / 76 cm long) produces a deep, meditative, warm acoustic resonance with rich lower overtones. It is the signature concert scale in Hindustani classical music due to its emotional gravity and expressive meend depth.

What is the function of the 7th hole on modern concert flutes?

The 7th hole is placed at the lower end of the flute and is operated either by the right hand pinky or positioned against the knee. Closing it extends the range downwards to produce lower Mandra Teevra Ma (M') or Komal Ni, greatly enhancing classical raga renditions like Yaman and Darbari.

How do I play this fingering chart with a computer keyboard?

Use the S R G M P D N keys for Madhya saptak. Hold Shift for komal swaras (and Teevra Ma). Press period then a swara for Mandra saptak, or apostrophe then a swara for Taar saptak. Arrow keys step through notes. Press ? to open the full shortcut list.