Practice
Gamaka Coach
Sustain a note for four seconds with kampita. We measure your vibrato rate and depth and show which of the four reference masters you sound closest to.
What is kampita?
Kampita is the oscillating vibrato gamaka of Carnatic music — a controlled pitch oscillation centred on the target svara. Unlike Western vibrato, the rate and depth are raga-specific: a slow, wide oscillation on Ga in Tōḍī signals something very different from a tight, fast one on the same svara in Kāmbhōji.
Sustain any note for 4 seconds with a steady kampita below, then see which of the four reference masters your vibrato signature is closest to.
Gamaka Synth
Hear how each of the 26 Saṅgīta Ratnakara ornaments sounds in real-time synthesis. Select a gamaka, base note, and duration — then press Play.
Sustained pitch
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Window
4s
How to read this
Kampita is the slow, sinusoidal pitch oscillation Carnatic singers and instrumentalists use as ornamentation. Two characteristics define it: the rate (how fast you oscillate, typically 4-6 Hz) and the depth (how wide the swing, typically 10-20¢). Vocalists hold a steady mean pitch but vibrate around it — that's what we measure. Use the “You vs Reference” button to hear your own audio back-to-back with the master's — the gap between the two is short enough that your ear can A/B them directly.