russian stringed instrument triangular body

The most common solo instrument is the prima, which is tuned E 4–E 4–A 4 (thus the two lower strings are tuned to the same pitch). 'Balalaika' also appears in Nikolai Gogol's Dead Souls, written between 18. It made its way into literature and first appeared in 'Elysei', a 1771 poem by V. In the Ukrainian language the word was first documented in the 18th century as 'balabaika' this form is also present in South Russian dialects and the Belarusian language, as well as in Siberian Russia. It is also mentioned in a document dated 1714 and signed by Peter the Great regarding the wedding celebrations of N.M.

Another appearance of the word is registered in a document from the Verkhotursky district of Russia, dated October 1700. The earliest mention of the term balalaika dates back to a 1688 Russian document. The rare piccolo instrument is usually played with a pick. The prima balalaika, secunda and alto are played either with the fingers or a plectrum (pick), depending on the music being played, and the bass and contrabass (equipped with extension legs that rest on the floor) are played with leather plectra. All have three-sided bodies spruce, evergreen, or fir tops and backs made of three to nine wooden sections (usually maple). There have also been descant and tenor balalaikas, but these are considered obsolete. The prima balalaika is the most common the piccolo is rare. There are balalaika orchestras which consist solely of different balalaikas these ensembles typically play Classical music that has been arranged for balalaikas.

The balalaika family of instruments includes instruments of various sizes, from the highest-pitched to the lowest: the piccolo balalaika, prima balalaika, secunda balalaika, alto balalaika, bass balalaika, and contrabass balalaika. Balalaikas are often used for Russian folk music and dancing. The instrument generally has a short sustain, necessitating rapid strumming or plucking when it is used to play melodies. The higher-pitched balalaikas are used to play melodies and chords. Two strings are usually tuned to the same note and the third string is a perfect fourth higher. The balalaika (Russian: балала́йка, pronounced ) is a Russian stringed musical instrument with a characteristic triangular wooden, hollow body, fretted neck and three strings.

Russian stringed instrument triangular body