They also generally have more strings and doubling or tripling of the melody string is common.

Usually two drones (sometimes three) + one or two chromatic melody strings.

Usually four drones + two melody strings, but often extended to have more strings.

The drones can be wound up to a higher tension to tune to D, while the melody strings remain the same.

Under the melody strings, either directly on the body or attached to a fretboard, are about 17 frets.

The identically tuned melody strings are often fretted in unison or so to create a major third.

The most popular variant today is four strings in three courses, with doubled melody strings.

To touch the melody string the hand is inserted through a hole in the flat wooden board that makes up the top third of the instrument.

The melody strings may be tuned to different pitches if desired, however, rendering it multi-tonic, but more difficult to play.

The langeleik has only one melody string and up to 8 drone strings.