çifteli

Çifteli is a traditional two-stringed, long-necked plucked lute from the Turkish folk music tradition, with a cross-regional presence in the Balkans and the Aegean area. Its name derives from çift, meaning "double" or "paired" in Turkish, referring to its two strings. The instrument commonly features a wooden resonator, sometimes covered with animal skin, and a long neck fitted with frets. The two strings run along the neck and are typically tuned in a simple interval, commonly in unison or an octave, depending on local practice. It is traditionally played with a plectrum, while the left hand presses the strings against the frets to shape melodies and chords. Some regional variants employ additional drones or sympathetic strings, but the standard instrument remains two-stringed.

Çifteli has a bright, rhythmic timbre that supports folk dances and vocal melodies. It is used in village and urban ensembles and is especially associated with repertoires from the Aegean and Thrace regions. It accompanies dances such as zeybek and other regional performances, and it appears in wedding music and seasonal celebrations. The instrument is part of the broader family of long-necked lutes in the region and is related to other Turkish and Balkan strings such as the saz and laouto, though it remains distinctive for its two-string configuration.