Balalaika
Russian triangular stringed instrument used in folk music and orchestras.
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The balalaika is a Russian stringed musical instrument with a characteristic triangular wooden, hollow body, fretted neck, and three strings. It is used for Russian folk music and dancing, and has a short sustain that necessitates rapid strumming or plucking. The instrument family includes sizes from piccolo to contrabass, and balalaika orchestras consisting solely of different balalaikas play arranged classical music.
Background
Peter the Great requested balalaika performers for the wedding celebrations of Nikita Zotov in Saint Petersburg. In Ukrainian, the word was first documented in the 18th century as 'balabaika,' a form also present in South Russian dialects, Belarusian, and Siberian Russia. In the 1880s, Vasily Vasilievich Andreyev, a professional violinist in St. Petersburg, developed the standardized balalaika with violin maker V. Ivanov. St. Petersburg craftsman Paserbsky later added fully chromatic frets and orchestral sizes.
Andreyev patented the design, arranged traditional Russian folk melodies for orchestra, and composed concert pieces. The balalaika orchestra movement grew in Tsarist Russia and was supported by the Soviet government as proletarian culture, leading to groups like the Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra. The balalaika has also spread outside Russia through western tours by Andreyev and other virtuosi.
Did You Know?
- The prima balalaika is the most common; the piccolo is rare.
- Bass and contrabass balalaikas rest on the floor using a wooden or metal pin drilled into a corner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Balalaika?
The balalaika is a Russian stringed instrument recognized by its triangular hollow wooden body, fretted neck, and three strings. It is a staple of Russian folk music and dance, and it also appears in larger ensembles performing arranged classical repertoire.
How is the Balalaika played?
Because the instrument has a notably short sustain, performers rely on rapid strumming or plucking to keep a melodic line sounding continuously. This technique is central to its use in both folk settings and balalaika orchestras.
What sizes of Balalaika exist?
The balalaika family ranges from a small piccolo model up to a full contrabass. Ensembles made up exclusively of these different-sized balalaikas perform arranged classical music.
What is the standard Balalaika tuning?
The prima, or smallest member of the family, is most commonly tuned to E4–E4–A4 across its three strings.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Balalaika (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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