russian stringed instrument triangular body

This idea, while whimsical, is quite difficult to reconcile when one is confronted with the fact that at various times in Russian history, the playing of the balalaika was banned because of its use by the skomorokhi, who were generally highly irritating to both Church and State. It was popular as a village instrument for centuries, particularly with the skomorokhs, sort of free-lance musical jesters whose tunes ridiculed the Tsar, the Russian Orthodox Church, and Russian society in general.Ī popular notion is that the three sides and strings of the balalaika are supposed to represent the Holy Trinity. Similarly, frets on earlier balalaikas were made of animal gut and tied to the neck so that they could be moved around by the player at will (as is the case with the modern saz, which allows for the microtonal playing distinctive to Turkish and Central Asian music).Įventually, the balalaika evolved into a triangular instrument with a neck substantially shorter than its Asian counterparts. The origins of the balalaika are not precisely known, but most likely it was imported into Russia by the Mongols from Central Asia, from whence several kinds of fretted long-necked chordophones stem, including the Persian sitar, the Uzbek and Uyghur dutar, and the Turkish saz.Įarly representations of the balalaika show it with anywhere from two to six strings, which would be consistent with the nature of the Central Asian instruments described above. One can play the prima with a plectrum, but it is considered rather heterodox to do so.ĭue to the gigantic size of the contrabass' strings, it is not uncommon for the plectrum to be made of a leather shoe or boot heel. The index finger is used to sound notes on the prima, while a plectrum is used on the larger sizes. The piccolo, prima, and secunda balalaikas are ideally strung with gut (or, today, usually nylon) strings on the lower pegs and a wire string on the top peg.Īn important part of balalaika technique is the use of the left-hand thumb to fret notes on the bottom string, particularly on the prima, where it is used to form chords. The most common solo instrument is the prima, tuned E-E-A (the two lower strings being tuned to the same pitch).

The modern balalaika is found in six sizes:

Russian stringed instrument triangular body