This is a small bowed instrument from Asia Minor , also known by the Greek name, politiki lyra or Constantinople lyra. The strings are stopped with the nails of the left hand. The three strings are tuned A D A. It plays the classical repertoire of the Ottoman style, and will often include a slow improvisation (taksim) using the same makam or modal system as the composed piece which usually follows it.

I bought my kemence from the street of musical instrument shops in Istanbul. I tried every instrument in the street before deciding to get this one.