There are various sizes, and numbers of pipes, which always come in parallel pairs, usually 7 to 9 pairs, and are varying lengths. The largest pair can be anywhere from 90 cm. up to 3.5 metres! Quite naturally, the larger instruments are more difficult to play, as they need more breathing power, and thus most instruments are made no larger than 130 cm (although I bought a smaller sized instrument, made for children). The Khene is played by both exhaling and inhaling into it. In this way, the player can play continuously without having to take a quick breath in-between the notes. The instrument's pipes each have a hole which, when covered by a finger, change the pitch of the pipe, allowing melodies to be played alongside the natural harmonic drone of the instrument.