What strings does a balalaika use?
A staple of traditional Russian folk and classical music, the balalaika is a long necked, triangular shaped lute. The instrument can feature three strings or six strings with double courses, and most modern balalaikas feature steel strings rather than traditional gut strings.
What is the most common size of balalaika?
prima balalaika
The most common size is the prima balalaika, tuned EEA, played with the fingers with a wide variety of techniques. It is strung with a metal A and 2 nylon E’s, and the concert model has a range of 2 and a half chromatic octaves.
What does balalaika mean in Russian?
Balalaika’s babble. The word balalaika is similar to the Russian words “балакать,” “балаболить” and “балабонить” meaning “babble” or “jabber.” This connection not only underlines the folk origins of the balalaika but also uncovers its essence as an easy and fun instrument with a sonorous but soft and even tender voice.
Why is the balalaika a triangle?
The popular domra was more and more often made with a triangular body instead of the usual round body as it made the creation more easy. The triangular domra was given the name balalaika. This proves that the balalaika took the place of the domra in the musical life of the Russian people.
How is a balalaika tuned?
The most common version of the balalaika is called “prima”. It’s tuned E4, E4, A4 – where the two lower strings are tuned to the same pitch. Sometimes it’s tuned in a so called “guitar style” G3, B3, D4. That’s the same way the three highest strings of the Russian guitar is tuned.
How many frets does balalaika have?
Amateur and/or souvenir-style prima balalaikas usually have a total of 16 frets, while in professional orchestra-like ones that number raises to 24.
What is the tuning of a balalaika?
Does balalaika like rock?
Balalaika regards herself and her men as soldiers who missed their chance to die in Afghanistan. In turn, Balalaika also seems to hold Rock in high regard, sometimes relying on his knowledge and business skills as well as hiring him as a translator and even flirting with him.
How much does a balalaika cost?
Compare with similar items
| This item Balalaika, Prima, Deluxe, Rosewood | Balalaika Doff BV Universal traditional three-stringed. Great work from Russian masters. | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $30449 | $24200 |
| Sold By | Liquid Audio Inc | Shamanicshop |
| Back Material Type | Rosewood | Maple Wood |
| Body Material | Rosewood | Maple |
How does a balalaika make sound?
They also differ in the manner of producing the sound: the balalaika is plucked by the fingertips, the domra strummed with a pick or plectrum. There do exist some nonpurists who use a pick on a balalaika, but only if they are prepared to brave the withering scorn of the traditionally trained virtuosi.
Can you use guitar strings on a balalaika?
The balalaika is a stringed instrument that emerged in the 15th Century in Russia. The balalaika is unique that it has a triangular body and 3 strings (or sometimes 6, in 3 pairs). The strings on the balalaika are usually plucked by the fingers but it can also be played with a plectrum (pick).
Is balalaika a Russian instrument?
Balalaika, Russian stringed musical instrument of the lute family . It was developed in the 18th century from the dombra, or domra, a round-bodied, long-necked, three-stringed lute played in Russia and Central Asia. The balalaika is made in six sizes, from piccolo to double bass, and has a flat back and a triangular table,…
What kind of instrument is the balalaika?
The balalaika (Russian: балала́йка, pronounced [bəɫɐˈɫajkə]) is a Russian stringed musical instrument with a characteristic triangular wooden, hollow body, fretted neck and three strings. Two strings are usually tuned to the same note and the third string is a perfect fourth higher.
What does the name balalaika mean?
Origin and Meaning of Balalaika. A user from Alabama, United States says the name Balalaika is of Russian origin and means “Name of strength and confidence.”.
Is the balalaika illegal in the US?
While Barrack Obama did renew the ban on balalaika which was first signed by President Roosevelt in 1940 for another 10 years in 2010, making it illegal to mass produce or sell balalaikas in bulk, it is not illegal to conduct a sale of an individual balalaika and to buy or sell it on individual basis and there are many companies in the US that actively sell variety of this fine instrument.