Russia/Music/Instruments Pg1
Balalaika
The Balalaika family of instruments includes, from the highest-pitched to the lowest, the prima balalaika, sekunda balalaika, alto balalaika, bass balalaika and contrabass balalaika. All have three-sided bodies, spruce or fir tops and backs made of from three to nine wooden sections, and all have three strings. The prima balalaika is played with the fingers, the sekunda and alto either with the fingers or a pick depending on the music being played, and the bass and contrabass (which are equipped with extension legs which rest on the floor) are played with leather picks.
Pictured at right are the Prima Balalaika (top) and the Contrabass Balalaika (bottom).
Here is an audio clip of a solo prima balalaika
Barenya
© Gans 2011