resonantthe instrument studio

THE OPEN MUSIC ROOM

Play dholak online.

Touch
Soft sounds warmer. Bold sounds brighter.

Choose Play to tap or glide across the instrument. Choose Rotate to change your view. Use Play close-up for larger playing surfaces. The note controls below also work with your keyboard.

Your keys. Your rhythm.

Press keys together to combine strokes.

Bass headA · S · D
Treble headJ · K · L
Together & softF · G · H · ;
←→ switch instrumentesc stop sound
Playing preferences

Try a tune

Hear it on dholak, then make it your own.

Keep the beat

Set your tempo and play along.

The click is for practice and is not included in recordings.
PLAY. EXPLORE. REPEAT.

A closer look at the dholak.

Guide updated

Play a free virtual dholak with two independently playable drumheads. Use two fingers or keyboard shortcuts to combine bass and treble strokes.

Try a virtual dholak, a double-headed hand drum widely used in South Asian folk and popular music. Explore a lower bass side and a higher treble side through ten labeled controls.

Play your next note

How do I play the online dholak?

In 3D view, choose Play to tap, strum, or glide across a playing surface. Hold keys or wind surfaces to sustain a note. Choose Rotate to inspect the model; scroll or pinch to zoom. Use the labeled note controls or computer keys for chords and the full range. Classic view provides the original illustrated playing surface. Press A for Ge and J for Na together, or touch both drumheads simultaneously. F combines the two sides. Alternate soft and accented strokes to shape a rhythm.

What sounds does the virtual dholak use?

Dholak sounds use tuned membrane synthesis with short, rounded attacks. The stroke labels are simplified playing aids; the model does not reproduce every hand technique or regional bol vocabulary.

Audio & tune credits
TRY IT. LISTEN. MAKE IT YOURS.

Change the treble answer while the bass returns

Use a recurring low stroke to connect two different treble responses. The final combined pad closes this original eight-beat studio phrase.

Starting tempo: 72 BPM. Use Keep the beat for a steady pulse.

  1. 1Ge (A)
  2. 2Na (J)
  3. 3Ke (S)
  4. 4Na (J)
  5. 5Ge (A)
  6. 6Tin (L)
  7. 7Both (F)
  8. 8No new strike
  1. Read the stroke labels

    Find Ge, Ke, Na, Tin and Both. Their shortcuts are A, S, J, L and F. These labels identify the virtual sounds, not a complete acoustic bol vocabulary.

  2. Keep Ge in the same place

    Start the metronome at 72 BPM and play the pattern. Ge returns on beats 1 and 5; use it to keep track of the two halves.

  3. Notice the changed response

    Compare Na on beat 2 with Tin on beat 6. Leave the last beat empty after Both, then return to Ge without speeding up.

Try next: Replace Tin with Ta using K. Compare the new answer, leaving every other stroke and gap in place.

How do I record the dholak in Resonant?

  1. Choose your playing controls

    Choose Play in 3D view or switch to Classic. Tap a playing surface, use the labeled note controls, or press a computer-key shortcut to enable sound.

  2. Record your idea

    Press Record above the instrument, then play your phrase. This records studio audio without using your microphone. Each take can last up to five minutes.

  3. Listen and keep a copy

    Press Stop, open Recordings, and listen to the take. Choose Download WAV or Original audio to keep a file. Saved takes stay on this device; clearing browser storage removes them.

A few useful notes about the dholak

How do I combine dholak bass and treble?

Press A for Ge and J for Na together, or use two labeled note controls. Classic view also lets you touch both heads directly. F plays both sides with one action.

How do I vary a dholak rhythm?

Alternate Ge and Na, then try Ke, Ta, and the soft-stroke pads. These controls offer contrasting synthesized attacks for practice.

Tap or press a key to enable sound