- Life notes / jeeva
- Madhyama (M1), Dhaivata (D2) and Gandhara (G3) are the ragachaya (identity) svaras; the soft rendering of Ma and an elongated Gandhara are Sama's speciality.
- Resting notes / nyasa
- Gandhara (G3) is the classic resting note that evokes Sama (distinguishing it from Arabhi); darbar.org additionally lists Rishabha (R2) and Panchama (P).
- Signature phrases / prayoga
- An avarohana-pradhana raga on S R M P D S with NO nishada; historically featured rmpmgr, rpmdd, rmpmdd and rmpd phrases in equal measure, with occasional srgs; a lingering/elongation on the madhyama (M), which often occurs in dyads or triads; modern practice has simplified to plain srmpds / sdpmgrs scalar phrasing.
- Ornament / gamaka
- Meditative raga sung with minimal gamaka / plain notes; devoid of fireworks