At the turn of the 20th century most banduras had approximately twenty to twenty-three strings, tuned diatonically. Contemporary instruments have up to sixty-five strings tuned chromatically from C in the great octave to A in the third. The strings are plucked by the fingers of both hands.

In the 20th Century the bandura has undergone a revival, being taught in music schools and conservatories, and being manufactured serially in factories. Prominent composers have begun to compose serious music for it, although the instrument continues to by used primarily for folk music and vocal accompaniment.