- Life notes / jeeva
- Gandhara (G2) and Rishabha (R2); per the SSP the gandhara and rishabha are the jiva and nyasa svaras, and the elongated/oscillated ga is the strongest identity note.
- Resting notes / nyasa
- Rishabha (R2) and Gandhara (G2) (the SSP names gandhara and rishabha as both jiva and nyasa).
- Signature phrases / prayoga
- SSP native phrases: N S G M G M R S; N N S D P M G M R S; R G M P D N P M G M R S; S N P M G M R S. The G M R S motif is a defining Kapi signature. Anya-swara phrases (kakali N3 / antara G3): s N P M P D s N P M P, P M G M R, M P G M R S. Base swaras are those of Kharaharapriya with vakra movement.
- Ornament / gamaka
- Gandhara is heavily oscillated with kampita (the dhirga gandhara, the janta gandhara, or gandhara shaken with kampita); jaru (glides) on gandhara and nishada. Bhashanga character from anya swaras: kakali nishada (N3) and antara gandhara (G3) in specific phrases, and shuddha dhaivata (D1) as a foreign note in some compositions. Two nishadas (N2 and N3) and the vakra grouping N2 D2 N2 further colour it.