It has doubled steel strings and is played with a plectrum, in the same manner as a mandolin.

It is tuned A A , D D (or another pitch but at the same relative intervals of a fourth) when playing melodies based on A tonic upon A drone.

It also may be tuned G G , D D (or another pitch but at the same relative intervals of a fifth) when playing melodies based on G tonic upon G drone.

The more modern way, which is more used in orchestras or other groups, is to play single line melodies using all courses.

The frets are nowadays always arranged in the normal Western 12 note scale, although in the past the Farkas system was also used.